The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) has taken a significant step by no longer using outdated jobs to deny disability claims.
This decision comes after decades of relying on an antiquated job list that has not been updated since 1991, leaving many applicants struggling to receive the benefits they need.
Here’s how the change affects those seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
The Old System: Outdated Job Listings
For years, the SSA relied on a list of jobs from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) to assess whether disability applicants could still work.
Originally developed by the U.S. Department of Labor in 1938, the DOT was a comprehensive list of jobs, used to determine if someone could perform any other work besides their previous employment.
However, despite being abandoned by the Department of Labor over 30 years ago, the SSA continued to use this outdated resource for disability assessments.
Jobs like pneumatic tube operator, microfilm processor, and nut sorter, which have been obsolete for decades, were still considered viable work options by the SSA when denying disability claims.
If applicants were found capable of performing one of these roles, their disability benefits could be denied, even if these jobs no longer existed in the current economy.
The Problem: Denial of Disability Benefits
Social security disability benefits are determined by evaluating the medical records and work capabilities of a claimant. If the SSA determines that an individual cannot perform their previous job due to a disability, they assess whether the person can perform other types of work based on their age, education, and work experience.
Unfortunately, this assessment was often flawed because it referenced jobs that no longer exist.
A 2022 investigation by The Washington Post found that many applicants were unfairly denied benefits because of this reliance on outdated job information.
Thousands of individuals, including those with severe disabilities, were told they could work in obsolete fields and therefore didn’t qualify for benefits.
The New Solution: Occupational Information System
To address this issue, the SSA is now working on a new system called the Occupational Information System (OIS). The OIS will replace the outdated DOT and provide a more accurate, up-to-date representation of jobs that exist in the current economy.
This system will describe the tasks required for various occupations and give a realistic picture of what workers must be able to do.
The OIS has been in development for several years, with $239 million spent on testing and data collection between 2012 and 2022. However, it has yet to be fully implemented.
When it is, it will allow the SSA to make fairer and more accurate disability decisions, ensuring that applicants are not denied benefits based on outdated and irrelevant information.
How This Change Affects Applicants
For those applying for disability benefits, the change means that the SSA will no longer use irrelevant jobs to argue that they are capable of working.
Instead, the SSA will rely on more accurate and relevant job data, making the process more equitable. Here’s what you can expect from this shift:
- More Accurate Job Listings: The OIS will provide up-to-date job descriptions, ensuring that applicants are not judged based on outdated occupations.
- Fairer Assessments: With the old system gone, the SSA will make more realistic evaluations of a person’s ability to work, especially considering how technology and the economy have evolved over the years.
- Better Disability Eligibility: Applicants who were previously denied benefits due to their ability to perform obsolete jobs may now have a better chance of qualifying for disability assistance.
Moving Forward: The Future of Disability Claims
Although the OIS is still being developed, the move away from outdated job listings represents a significant improvement in the way disability claims are handled.
It aligns the SSA’s assessment process with the current labor market, providing more accurate and fairer outcomes for those seeking benefits.
For many applicants, this change offers hope that their claims will be treated more fairly, especially after years of being denied based on irrelevant job data. The transition to the OIS will likely take time, but it is a crucial step in modernizing the Social Security system.
FAQs
What is the DOT and why is it outdated?
The DOT is a job list created in 1938 and hasn’t been updated since 1991, making many of the listed jobs obsolete.
What is the new OIS system?
The OIS is a modern job classification system that will replace the DOT, providing up-to-date job information for disability assessments.
How does the SSA decide if someone qualifies for disability benefits?
The SSA reviews medical records and assesses if the person can work based on age, education, work experience, and available jobs.
When will the OIS be implemented?
The OIS is still in development, but the SSA has already stopped relying on the outdated DOT for disability assessments.
How much has been spent developing the OIS?
Between 2012 and 2022, approximately $239 million has been spent on developing the OIS system.
