When the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes a determination of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) eligibility, it evaluates an individual claim using a 5-step process. One of the steps (specifically, the fourth step) in the process asks whether the individual can perform any of their past relevant work. When looking at an individual’s previous work experience, and making a determination as to whether it applies or is relevant, the SSA considers:
- Recency – whether the individual performed the work within the last 15 years
- Duration – whether the work lasted long enough for the individual to learn to do it
- Substantial Gainful Activity – whether the work was paid to the degree that it created “substantial gainful activity”