Work Experience

Many judges want to ask questions about the type of work you have performed for the 15 years prior to the onset date of your disability. This is important information needed to evaluate whether you can return to any of your previous work or have any transferrable skills that would enable you to perform lighter or easier jobs. Most of the time you have already provided this information to the Social Security Administration as part of the application process; however, it is usually a good idea to jot down some notes about your previous jobs and discuss this with your attorney prior to the hearing. If you have a good work record this often helps your credibility before the administrative law judge; however, if you have had difficulty keeping jobs because of your disabling conditions, this also provides valuable information that can increase the possibility of a favorable decision.