How Your Work History Impacts Your Harrisburg Social Security Disability Claim
Social Security disability benefits help Harrisburg workers when long-term disabilities happen. However, while your specific condition matters, qualifying isn’t just about your diagnosis.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also looks closely at your work history to determine whether you’re eligible, as well as whether your condition truly prevents you from working in any capacity. Our Harrisburg social security disability lawyer explains what you need to know before applying and how to use your work history to strengthen your claim.
How Work History Factors Into Harrisburg Social Security Disability Benefits
To qualify for Harrisburg Social Security disability benefits, you must have previously worked and paid into the system through your payroll taxes.
The SSA looks at both the number of years you’ve worked and when you last worked.
You must have enough “work credits” to qualify. Most workers need at least 40 credits, with 20 earned in the 10 years before becoming disabled. The SSA also uses your work history to:
- Determine whether you can return to your past work.
- Assess whether you could adjust to different work, based on your skills and experience.
- Evaluate your residual functional capacity (RFC) in relation to the demands of your past jobs.
- Review the physical or mental requirements of the work you’ve done in the last 15 years.
- Determine the date you became disabled (your “date last insured”).
If your job was physically demanding or required specific mental skills, the SSA may be more likely to approve your claim, especially if your condition prevents you from doing similar work today.
How to Strengthen Your Harrisburg Social Security Disability Claim Using Work History Records
Social Security disability benefits in Harrisburg can help protect your financial security if you are disabled and unable to work, but the SSA has a dismal record when it comes to approving claims. Many get denied not because someone isn’t disabled, but because of their job history. To avoid denials and delays, follow these tips to strengthen your claim:
- List all jobs from the past 15 years, including part-time or seasonal roles.
- Include specific job duties to help the SSA understand the physical and mental demands.
- Note how long you held each job, and at what level of exertion (sedentary, light, medium, heavy).
- Explain how your current condition prevents you from returning to any work.
Providing a strong work history helps to show both that you are eligible for benefits and that no realistic job options exist, improving your chances of getting your claim approved.
Our Experienced Harrisburg Social Security Disability Lawyer Is Here To Help
At Ira H. Weinstock, P.C., we help injured and disabled workers in Harrisburg get the benefits they deserve. Whether you’re applying for the first time or appealing a denial, we can put your work history to work for you.
To get the benefits you are entitled to, call or contact our office online. Request a consultation today to speak with our experienced Harrisburg Social Security disability lawyer.
ssa.gov/disability
ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/credits.html
