By William Powell of Powell & Denny | Published March 30, 2026 | Posted in Social Security Disability | Tagged Tags: Past Relevant Work, Social Security, social security disability | Comments Off on What Is “Past Relevant Work” in a Social Security Disability Case—and Why Does Social Security Only Looks Back 5 Years into Your Work History?
What Is “Past Relevant Work” in a Social Security Disability Case—and Why Does Social Security Only Looks Back 5 Years into Your Work History?
What Is “Past Relevant Work” in a Social Security Disability Case—and Why Does Social Security Only Looks Back 5 Years into Your Work History? If you are applying for Social Security Disability benefits, one of the initial questions you will be asked is about your “past relevant work.” Many people are surprised to learn that Read More
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What Is “Residual Functional Capacity” (RFC) in a Social Security Disability Case
What Is “Residual Functional Capacity” (RFC) in a Social Security Disability Case? If you are applying for Social Security Disability benefits, you may hear the term “Residual Functional Capacity,” or “RFC.” For most people, that phrase does not mean much—but in reality, it is one of the most important parts of your disability case. What Read More
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What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) in an Alabama Workers’ Compensation Case?
What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) in an Alabama Workers’ Compensation Case? If you have suffered a serious job injury—particularly to your neck, back, shoulder, hips, or multiple body parts—you may eventually be told that your doctor has ordered a Functional Capacity Evaluation, commonly referred to as an FCE. For most injured workers, this Read More
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What Is a “Severe” Impairment in a Social Security Disability Case
What Is a “Severe” Impairment in a Social Security Disability Case? If you have applied for Social Security Disability benefits, you may hear that your condition must be considered “severe” in order to qualify. This raises an obvious question: What does “severe” actually mean? In everyday language, “severe” usually means something extreme or very serious; Read More
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What Are the Grid Rules in Social Security Disability Cases
What Are the “Grid Rules” in Social Security Disability Cases? If you are applying for Social Security Disability benefits, you may hear the term: “the Grid Rules.” This sounds complicated, but the basic idea is actually fairly simple—and for some people, it can make the difference between being approved or denied. What Are the Grid Rules? Read More
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What Does It Mean to Meet a Listing for Social Security Disability
What Does It Mean to “Meet a Listing” for Social Security Disability? When applying for Social Security Disability benefits, you may hear the phrase: “Do you meet a listing?” For most people, that question means very little—but it is one of the most important parts of the disability process. What Is a “Listing”? The Social Read More
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What Are the 5 Steps in a Social Security Disability Claim
What Are the 5 Steps in a Social Security Disability Claim? If you have applied for Social Security Disability benefits—or are thinking about applying—you may hear that your case is evaluated using a “five-step process.” This process is how the Social Security Administration decides whether someone is legally disabled. While it may sound complicated, the Read More
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Understanding the Role of the Workers Compensation Insurance Carrier
Understanding the Role of the Workers Compensation Insurance Carrier Many injured workers in Alabama assume that once they report a job injury, the workers’ compensation insurance carrier will guide them through the process and make sure they receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law. This is not always the case. Workers’ compensation Read More
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Does Being Found Disabled Mean I Can Never Work Again?
Does Being Found Disabled Mean I Can Never Work Again? One question we are often asked by clients who receive Social Security Disability benefits is whether being declared “disabled” means they can never return to work. The short answer is no. Being found disabled does not mean that you are permanently barred from ever attempting Read More
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What Is “Sheltered Work” and How Does It Affect Social Security Disability Claims?
What Is “Sheltered Work” and How Does It Affect Social Security Disability Claims? One of the most common misunderstandings about Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims involves work activity. Many people believe that if a person is working at all, they automatically cannot qualify for disability benefits. That is not always Read More
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