WAC 388-448-0100   PEP step VI -- How we evaluate capacity to perform relevant past work.  If your overall severity rating is three or four and we have reached this stage of the PEP and have not approved or denied your application, we decide if you can do the same or similar work as you have done in the past. We look at your current physical and/or mental limitations and vocational factors to make this decision. Vocational factors are education, relevant work history, and age.

     (1) We evaluate education in terms of formal schooling or other training that enables you to meet job requirements. We classify education as:

If you	Then your education level is
(a) Can not read or write a simple communication, such as two sentences or a list of items.	Illiterate
(b) Have no formal schooling beyond the eleventh grade; or (c) Have participated in special education.	Limited education
(d) Have received a high school diploma or general equivalency degree (GED); or (e) Have received skills training and were awarded a certificate, degree or license.	High school and above level of education

     (2) We evaluate your work experience to determine if you have relevant past work. "Relevant past work" means work that:

     (a) Is normally done for pay or profit. We exclude work done in a sheltered workshop, a job where you were given special consideration, or activities you may have performed as a student or homemaker;

     (b) Has been performed in the past five years; and

     (c) You have done long enough for you to have acquired the knowledge and skills to continue performing the job. You must meet the specific vocational preparation level as defined in Appendix C of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

     (3) For each relevant past work situation you have had, we determine:

     (a) The exertional or skill requirements of the job; and

     (b) Current cognitive, social, or nonexertional factors that significantly limit your ability to perform past work.

     (4) After considering vocational factors, we approve or deny incapacity based on the following:

If you	Then we take this action on incapacity
(a) Have the physical or mental ability to perform past work and there is no significant cognitive, social or nonexertional limitation.	Deny
(b) Have recently acquired specific work skills through completion of vocational training, enabling you to work within your current physical or mental capacities.	Deny
(c) Are fifty-five years of age or older and have an impairment that is assigned an overall severity rating of at least three and do not have the physical or mental ability to perform past work or do not have work experience.	Approve

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 00-16-113, § 388-448-0100, filed 8/2/00, effective 9/1/00.]