When you apply for Social Security Disability, strong evidence is important for proving your eligibility. One element of the application is vocational evidence.
This type of evidence plays an important part in your application review and the final decision.
What is vocational evidence?
Vocational evidence shows how your disability affects your ability to do your job or find other work. There are a few different forms of evidence considered in this evaluation.
- Work history. Your work history helps the evaluator determine your experience and skills as they relate to other types of work you might qualify for.
- Education level. Your level of education and formal training history reflect the industries and roles you have the skills to work in.
- Transferable skills. You can transfer certain skills to a different type of role, and the SSA takes this into account when making their decisions.
Your medical records may serve as vocational evidence if they list any physical or mental limitations that interfere with your ability to work.
How does vocational evidence influence your claim?
Based on your established capabilities, vocational evidence can support your claim of your inability to work. Gather enough evidence to show how your disability prevents you from not only returning to work but also from seeking a different job. The more information you include with your application, the easier it is for the reviewer to understand your specific situation.
With only around 20% of applications approved on the first review, careful preparation is important. The more you understand about the SSDI application, the easier it is to gather the information that they need. Thorough documentation improves your chance of approval without appeal or reconsideration.