Work History Report

Form SSA-3369, the Work History Report, documents the jobs you held during the 15 years before you became unable to work. For each job, it asks what you did all day, the machines and tools you used, the knowledge and skills required, how many hours you walked, stood, sat, climbed, stooped, and crouched, the weights you lifted and how often, and whether you supervised others. SSA uses these details to classify your past relevant work by exertion and skill level, which directly controls step four of the sequential evaluation, whether you can still do your past work, and shapes the step-five analysis of whether skills transfer to other jobs.

Fill out the SSA-3369 when DDS sends it to you, and return it by the stated deadline, typically within 10 days, using the enclosed envelope, fax, or online submission if offered. Describe each job as you actually performed it, not as an official job description reads: if you routinely lifted 50-pound boxes even though the title sounds sedentary, say so. Be precise about lifting weights and frequencies, hours on your feet, and postural demands, because underestimating your past exertion can lead SSA to conclude you can return to it. Avoid inflating your skills or supervisory duties, which can create transferable-skills problems at step five. If you cannot remember exact dates, give honest estimates. Ask someone who knows your work, or your representative, to review it before mailing.