How to Fill Out the Work History Report

If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits, it is common to worry about whether you are completing the paperwork correctly. Many people are concerned that leaving something out or explaining something the wrong way could negatively affect their claim.

One form that causes particular confusion is the Work History Report (Form SSA-3369). As part of the SSDI or SSI application process, the Social Security Administration relies heavily on this form to understand what kinds of jobs applicants have done in the past. 

The Work History Report allows the SSA to evaluate the real demands of your prior work and compare them to your current medical limitations. It is not simply a list of job titles. Rather, it is a tool the agency uses to determine whether you can return to your past work or adjust to other work. With clear instructions and careful preparation, this form can be completed in a way that accurately reflects your work experience and supports your disability claim. This article explains how to do that, step by step, and highlights common issues to watch for along the way.

Description of the SSA Work History Report (Form SSA-3369) and Its Purpose 

The SSA Work History Report (Form SSA-3369-BK) asks you to describe the work you have done in the past, focusing on what each job actually required rather than just the job title. The Social Security Administration is looking for a practical, real-world understanding of your daily duties, responsibilities, and the conditions under which you worked.

This information plays a central role in the disability evaluation process. One of the key questions the SSA must answer is whether you can return to any of your past relevant work or adjust to other work despite your medical impairments. If your job duties are described too generally or important details are left out, the SSA may underestimate how demanding your prior work truly was.

To make this determination, the SSA compares the physical and mental demands of your past jobs, such as lifting, standing, concentration, pace, and interaction with others, with your current functional limitations documented in the medical evidence. Put simply, the agency is asking what your work actually involved and whether you are still capable of doing those same tasks today. Providing clear, accurate, and complete descriptions gives the SSA the information it needs to evaluate your claim fairly.

Before You Start: Prepare Employment History and Records

Taking time to prepare before completing the Work History Report can make the process significantly easier and help avoid mistakes that could delay your claim. Because the SSA relies on this form to evaluate your past work, having accurate and complete information upfront is extremely important.

Before you start filling out the form, gather as much detail as you can for each employer within the last five years of your work history. This includes the employer’s name and address, your job title, the dates you worked, how many hours you worked each day and each week, and how you were paid. Equally important is a clear description of what you actually did on the job, not just what the position was called.

Organizing this information in advance allows you to answer the questions more confidently and reduces the risk of leaving out important details. It also helps ensure your responses are consistent with other parts of your disability application and any medical records the SSA will review.

Understanding Physical and Mental Demands of Your Past Jobs

Job titles alone rarely capture how demanding a position really was. As you prepare your Work History Report, take time to think about both the physical and mental requirements of your past work.

From a physical standpoint, consider how much lifting, carrying, standing, walking, bending, or reaching your past job required. From a mental standpoint, think about whether your work involved concentration, multitasking, decision-making, working at a fast pace, dealing with stress, or interacting with supervisors, coworkers, or the public. These demands are especially important because the SSA compares them directly to the limitations caused by your medical conditions.

Being thoughtful and specific about these demands gives the SSA a clearer picture of why returning to that work may no longer be possible for you.

Reviewing Available Employment Records

If it has been several years since you performed some of your past jobs, details may be difficult to recall. Reviewing any available employment records can help you provide more accurate answers.

Pay stubs, tax records, job descriptions, performance evaluations, or human resources documents can be useful references. Even informal notes you kept at the time may help jog your memory. While you are not expected to be perfect, making a reasonable effort to be accurate strengthens your credibility and reduces the likelihood of follow-up requests from the SSA.

Step-by-Step Guide: Completing the Work History Report (SSA-3369)

As noted earlier, the Work History Report is structured to guide the SSA through your employment background. Understanding what each section is asking, and why, can help you provide clearer, more useful answers.

Providing Accurate Identifying Information 

The opening section of the Work History Report asks for basic identifying details, including your name, Social Security number, and telephone number. While this may seem routine, accuracy here is important. Errors can cause processing delays or result in your form being misfiled. Take a moment to double-check this information before moving on.

Listing Your Past Jobs 

You will be asked to list the jobs you performed in the past, generally focusing on work done within the last 5 years. This timeframe is important because the SSA uses it to evaluate what is known as “past relevant work.”

Include each job that fits within this period, even if it was part-time, seasonal, or short-term. Do not leave out work simply because it was physically difficult or because you were unable to keep the job for long. Those details often help explain how your condition affected your ability to work.

Explaining What You Actually Did on the Job

This section is the heart of the Work History Report.  The SSA relies heavily on these descriptions to understand the actual demands of your prior work.

Describe your daily responsibilities in plain language. Explain the tasks you performed, the tools or equipment you used, and how your workday was structured. If your duties changed over time, include that information as well.

For each job listed, you will also be required to provide a brief explanation, in your own words, of how your medical condition prevents you from performing that job now. This is not a medical opinion, but a functional explanation based on your experience. It is your opportunity to explain why returning to that work is no longer possible, given your limitations.

 These explanations are directly tied to the SSA’s residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment and the Step 4 analysis of the disability evaluation process. Clear, job-specific explanations help ensure the SSA’s comparison is accurate and grounded in reality rather than assumptions based on job titles.

Example:

If you previously worked as a warehouse associate and your job required lifting boxes weighing 40 to 50 pounds throughout the day, you might explain that due to chronic back pain and neuropathy, you can no longer lift more than 10 pounds, cannot stand for extended periods, and experience worsening pain and numbness with repetitive movement. This type of explanation helps the SSA understand why your condition prevents you from performing that specific job.

Describing Physical and Environmental Work Requirements 

The form also asks about physical activities such as lifting, carrying, standing, walking, sitting, and reaching. Answer these questions carefully and realistically. Estimates do not need to be exact, but they should reflect a typical workday.

You may also be asked about environmental conditions such as exposure to heat, cold, noise, dust, fumes, or hazards. These details can be especially important for individuals with respiratory, neurological, or chronic pain conditions.

Addressing Mental Demands and Social Interaction

In addition to physical requirements, the SSA evaluates the mental and social aspects of your past work. This includes concentration, memory, pace, problem-solving, decision-making, and interaction with others.

If your job involved frequent communication, multitasking, handling stress, or meeting strict deadlines, be sure to include that information. These factors often play a significant role in disability determinations, particularly for claims involving mental health or cognitive impairments.

Using the Remarks Section Effectively

The remarks section allows you to explain information that does not fit neatly elsewhere. This is a good place to describe job accommodations, reduced duties, frequent absences, or changes made due to your medical conditions.

If your work ended because your symptoms worsened, or if you attempted to continue working despite limitations, this section provides an opportunity to add important context.

Special Work Situations and How to Report Them

Not every work history fits a traditional full-time employment model. The SSA expects this and provides room to explain different situations.

Reporting Self-Employment History or Seasonal, Part-Time, or Intermittent Work

If you were self-employed, focus on what you actually did rather than the business title. Describe your daily tasks, hours worked, level of responsibility, and whether you performed physical labor, administrative work, or both. Income alone does not tell the full story.

Seasonal or part-time jobs should still be reported accurately. If your hours or duties varied, explain how and why. Irregular work histories are common and do not automatically harm a disability claim when properly explained.

Avoid Common Mistakes That Can Undermine Your Work History Report

Certain errors appear frequently and can weaken an otherwise strong claim:

• Being Too General or Inaccurate. Vague descriptions can lead the SSA to misunderstand how demanding your work was. At the same time, overstating duties can raise credibility concerns. Aim for clear, factual descriptions that reflect your actual experience.

• Inconsistencies with Other Forms or Your Medical Records. Your work history should be consistent with your medical evidence and other SSA forms. Conflicting information can result in additional questions, delays, or unfavorable findings.

• Leaving Out Important Context. Failing to explain accommodations, reduced duties, or job modifications can make it appear that you were capable of more work than you actually were. Use the remarks section when needed.

• Failing to Identify Assistance. If someone helped you complete the form, disclose that assistance in the remarks section and explain whether help was needed for translation or because your disability affected your ability to write.

Why Your Work History Report Matters to the Outcome of Your Claim

Connecting Your Work History to Your Medical Limitations

A well-completed Work History Report helps the SSA see how your documented medical conditions limit your ability to perform the tasks your past job or jobs required. This connection is critical to a favorable disability determination.

How the Report Impacts the Disability Determination Process

The SSA compares your past job demands with your residual functional capacity. Clear job descriptions allow for a more accurate comparison and reduce the risk of unfavorable assumptions.

Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity

Your work history also helps determine whether past work meets the definition of substantial gainful activity (SGA).

For 2025, the SGA threshold is $1,620 per month for most disabled individuals and $2,700 per month for individuals who are blind. Earnings above these levels may affect eligibility for SSDI or SSI, though programs such as the Trial Work Period (TWP) allow for work attempts. In 2026, these amounts will increase to $1,690 and $2,830, respectively.

Professional Assistance Can Make A Difference

Disability attorneys and qualified representatives understand how the SSA evaluates work history and how it impacts disability determinations. Because work history remains relevant throughout appeals, hearings, and disability reviews, professional guidance can help protect your claim at every stage.

Final Tips Before Submitting Your Work History Report

Be Honest and Complete

Accuracy and honesty are essential when completing this, or any form, required for your claim. Providing clear, truthful answers helps establish your credibility and strengthens the overall reliability of your case. 

Keep Copies of Everything 

Always keep a copy of your completed Work History Report and any supporting documents you submit for your records. More broadly, it is important to retain copies of every document you provide to the Social Security Administration throughout the application process.

Review Your Answers Carefully Before Submitting

Take time to review the form before submitting it. Small errors or omissions can cause unnecessary delays. 

Completing the Work History Report correctly can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of a disability claim. If you have questions about how to describe your past work, how your job history affects your eligibility, or whether your work activity could impact your benefits, an experienced Social Security disability attorney can help. 

At the  LaPorte Law Firm, we work closely with clients to ensure their applications are complete, accurate, and supported by the evidence. If you are applying for SSDI or SSI, or if your claim has already been denied, contact our office to discuss your options and get guidance tailored to your situation.

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