Social Security Disability Hearing: Testimony About Work Experience

The administrative law judge at your Social Security disability hearing will look at various factors in determining whether to award you disability benefits. One major issue the judge will focus on is “past relevant work.” Your Ocala disability lawyer will go over the details of your file to make sure you can provide the judge with all the relevant and detailed information needed to base a favorable decision upon.

Topics Asked About

The administrative law judge will ask you various questions about all aspects of the jobs you have held in the past 15 years that constitute “past relevant work.” The topics the questions will be based upon include:

 Background Information

The judge will ask you background questions regarding the name of your former employer, dates of employment, job title and duties, exact dates and length of employment; salary and compensation; why you left and whether your medical condition impacted your performance at work.

Skill

The judge will also ask questions regarding the skill level of each job that you held. To understand the required skill level, the judge will ask specific questions regarding the technical knowledge or skill you used, whether you had to exercise independent judgment, if you needed to use machines, tools or equipment to perform your duties, if you had to write reports, or any other skill you used.

 Exertion

The judge will also need to get information regarding your level of exertion at each job. He or she may ask questions about the heaviest weights you were required to lift and carry, how often and how far you needed to carry the items, and what body parts you needed to use to carry such items.

Stress Level

If stress is an issue for your particular medical condition, the judge may also want to know what aspects of the job was stressful to you.

 Let Us Help You Provide the Necessary Information

For more information about the questions the administrative law judge will ask you regarding your past relevant work, please call the CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC at (352) 304-5300 to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Ocala disability lawyer.