Changes To Social Security Occupations List

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability payments to those who have medical issues that prohibit them from engaging in gainful employment. Eligibility is based on strict rules, such as the severity of a person’s medical condition or disease as well as the availability of occupations.

However, things can change over time. The economy and labor force may change. Plus, a person’s disability may get better or worsen over time. All these things have to be considered when deciding whether or not a person deserves benefits.

The SSA is always making improvements to ensure its disability programs remain current. The agency also works hard to ease the burden on customers, although it may not seem like it with lengthy delays becoming common.

Disability claims are evaluated based on whether a person can adjust to an occupation that exists in the national economy. This means that the SSA considers a person’s capacity to do work-related activities. Their age, education, and work experience are also taken into consideration.

Changes to Occupation Titles

A disability determination is primarily based on occupation titles. Can a person adjust to work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy? To determine this, the SSA uses what is called the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), along with a similar publication called the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

The SSA has recently identified 114 DOT occupations that are being removed. The jobs are found in limited numbers in each of the nine U.S. Census divisions of the country. These occupations cannot be used to support a “not disabled” finding in the evaluation process for disability determinations. The SSA identified an additional 13 DOT occupations where federal courts have questioned supporting evidence of a “not disabled” finding.

This new guidance was published on June 22. The updated list of occupations is important for disability applicants. By making this update, decision makers can no longer cite these jobs when denying a disability application. The SSA will only consider the most relevant occupations when determining if an applicant could perform other types of work.

This is just one of the policy updates that the SSA is publishing to improve its disability programs. For the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, the agency will reduce barriers to access the program by updating the definition of a public assistance household. The SSA will also exclude the value of food from SSI benefit calculations.

Learn More About Social Security Disability Benefits

Government programs often change over time to accommodate changes to the economy. Sometimes older jobs are phased out and newer occupations may come about.

Disabled and unable to work? Let a White Plains Social Security Disability lawyer from The Law Office of Michael Lawrence Varon assess your situation and help you determine your rights to compensation. Schedule a consultation by calling (914) 228-1770 or filling out the online form.

Source:

blog.ssa.gov/social-security-updates-occupations-list-used-in-disability-evaluation-process/