Why Workplace Accommodations Can Make or Break Your Disability Appeal

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits can feel overwhelming, especially if your claim has already been denied once. One of the most common reasons the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies claims is because it looks like an applicant has been able to work despite serious medical conditions. What the SSA often overlooks—or what claimants fail to clearly document—is that some employers (especially if the employer is family or a friend) quietly provide accommodations that allow people to continue working in ways that other employers would never permit.

If you are pursuing a disability claim or appeal, understanding how your work history and workplace accommodations factor into the SSA’s evaluation could mean the difference between approval and another denial. Below, we’ll break down why your work history matters, how accommodations play a role, what kinds of documentation can strengthen your case, and how an experienced disability appeals lawyer can help present the strongest possible evidence on your behalf.

How the SSA Evaluates Your Work History

When you apply for disability benefits, the SSA doesn’t just look at your medical records. They also review your work history, particularly the jobs you’ve held in the last five years. The reasoning is simple: if you were able to perform a job recently, the SSA may assume you’re still capable of doing that job—or something similar.

Unfortunately, this can work against many people who have recent work histories. The SSA may view recent employment as evidence that you are still employable, even if that work was only possible because your employer bent the rules for you. Without additional context, the SSA sees “you worked,” not “you worked under extraordinary accommodations.”

When a Good Work History Becomes a Problem

Most people are proud of their work ethic. They’ve pushed through pain, illness, or mental health struggles to keep showing up for years. But ironically, the very persistence that made you a good employee may now harm your disability claim.

Here’s why:

• Appearance of Capability – If you worked without reporting modifications, the SSA assumes you did so under typical job conditions.
  
  
• Denial Risk – The SSA may conclude that if you could do that job before, you can still do it today.
  
  
• Misinterpretation of Effort – They don’t see the sacrifices you made—coming home exhausted, needing long recovery periods, or worsening your symptoms just to get through a shift.
  
  

That’s why documenting accommodations is critical. It helps prove that your ability to continue working was the exception, not the rule.

Common Types of Workplace Accommodations

Many employers, especially smaller or family-owned businesses, go out of their way to keep a loyal employee on the job. Others may comply informally with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by making adjustments that aren’t available everywhere.

Some common accommodations that can support a disability appeal include:

1. Flexible Scheduling
   
   

• Allowed to arrive late or leave early due to fatigue, migraines, seizures, or medical appointments.
  
  
• Extra breaks throughout the day to manage pain, anxiety, or restroom needs.
  
  

1. Reduced Workload
   
   

• Fewer responsibilities compared to coworkers.
  
  
• Permission to skip tasks that aggravate symptoms (like lifting, standing, or public interaction).
  
  

1. Modified Work Environment
   
   

• Working in a quiet or darkened room to avoid migraine triggers.
  
  
• Working alone instead of in a group setting to manage social anxiety.
  
  
• Permission to sit rather than stand, or to recline periodically for back pain relief.
  
  

1. Tolerance for Absences
   
   

• Missing work due to flare-ups of chronic pain, Crohn’s, colitis, depression, or other conditions.
  
  
• Being excused for multiple sick days or intermittent leave that another employee wouldn’t have been granted.
  
  

1. Special Considerations
   
   

• Colleagues covering tasks for you without official acknowledgment.
  
  
• Supervisors forgiving errors or slower productivity due to medical struggles.
  
  

While these accommodations may have allowed you to hang on to your job, they also demonstrate that you were not truly able to perform the work under standard conditions.

Why Documentation Matters

The SSA needs evidence, not just your word. That’s where documentation of accommodations comes in.

Employer Letters

A letter from your supervisor, manager, or HR department can carry significant weight. It should explain:

• The accommodations you received.
  
  
• Why those accommodations were necessary.
  
  
• How your performance differed from other employees.
  
  

Coworker Statements

If an employer is unwilling to provide a letter, a supportive coworker may be able to write a statement confirming the accommodations you received and the struggles they witnessed.

Attendance Records

Timesheets or HR records showing frequent absences, late arrivals, or early departures can also serve as strong evidence.

Written Policies or Emails

If accommodations were communicated informally—such as through emails or text messages—those records can help back up your claim.

Without this documentation, the SSA may assume you worked under normal expectations. With it, they’re far more likely to understand that your job performance was possible only under unusual and unsustainable conditions.

Examples of How Accommodations Impact Claims

To better illustrate the importance of documenting accommodations, here are a few common scenarios:

• Migraine and Seizure Disorders – You missed multiple days each month due to unpredictable attacks. Your employer excused absences and let coworkers cover shifts. Without that leniency, you wouldn’t have kept your job.
  
  
• Crohn’s or Colitis – You needed frequent, unscheduled bathroom breaks. A typical employer might not tolerate this, but your manager allowed you to come and go as needed.
  
  
• Chronic Pain or Back Problems – Standing all day was impossible. Your boss allowed you to use a chair or take unscheduled rest breaks that other employees weren’t given.
  
  
• Depression or Anxiety – You struggled with concentration and social interaction. Your employer gave you fewer customer-facing duties or allowed remote work.
  
  

In each case, these accommodations show that your ability to continue working was not evidence of capacity—it was evidence of compassion from your employer.

How a Disability Appeals Lawyer Strengthens Your Case

Appealing a denied disability claim requires more than just resubmitting your application. The SSA has already reviewed your case once; now you must provide new, stronger evidence.

A skilled disability appeals lawyer can:

• Identify Missing Evidence – Pinpoint where documentation of accommodations could help.
  
  
• Collect Statements – Request letters from employers or coworkers on your behalf.
  
  
• Frame Work History Correctly – Emphasize how your job performance was only possible with extraordinary support.
  
  
• Prepare for Hearings – Anticipate SSA arguments and counter them with clear, documented examples.
  
  
• Connect Medical and Work Evidence – Show how your medical symptoms directly required workplace accommodations.
  
  

By weaving your medical history and your employment reality together, an attorney helps present the full picture—something the SSA often overlooks in initial evaluations.

What You Should Do If You’re Appealing

If you’re preparing for a disability appeal, here are a few practical steps you can take right away:

1. Make a List of Accommodations – Write down every way your job was adjusted for you.
   
   
2. Ask for Documentation – Request letters from supervisors, HR, or coworkers.
   
   
3. Save Records – Keep copies of schedules, emails, or other proof of flexibility.
   
   
4. Talk to Your Doctor – Ensure your medical providers document how your symptoms interfere with work.
   
   
5. Contact a Lawyer – The sooner you involve an attorney, the more time they’ll have to strengthen your appeal.
   
   

Why Timing Matters

Most disability appeals are subject to strict deadlines. Missing one can mean starting over. Additionally, the longer you wait, the harder it can be to gather evidence. Employers may change staff, coworkers may move on, and records may get lost. Acting quickly ensures that your accommodations are well-documented and available for your appeal.

Final Thoughts

A strong work history is something to be proud of—but when it comes to Social Security Disability claims, it can be a double-edged sword. Without the right documentation, the SSA may see your history as proof that you’re capable of working, when in reality your job was only possible thanks to unusual accommodations from an understanding employer.

If you’ve been denied disability benefits, don’t give up. Documenting your accommodations and working with a knowledgeable disability appeals lawyer can make all the difference. Your lawyer can help gather evidence, present it effectively, and fight for the benefits you deserve.

If your disability claim was denied in Alabama, don’t wait to appeal. At Disability Alabama, we understand the importance of documenting workplace accommodations and building the strongest possible case. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you fight for the benefits you need.