The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made a significant shift in the way it assesses disability benefits for applicants. In an official announcement on June 24, the SSA revealed that it will be removing certain outdated and rarely performed occupations from its list of job classifications used to evaluate disability claims. This change, which affects both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applicants, is expected to simplify the application process and make it more relevant to today’s economy.
Understanding the Change to Disability Benefits
For many years, the SSA has used the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) to evaluate whether an applicant for disability benefits can still perform certain types of work. The idea was to assess if the applicant could transition to other jobs given their medical condition. If the SSA determined that there was suitable work an applicant could do, they could be denied benefits.
However, the problem was that some of the job classifications listed in the DOT, such as “railroad telegrapher” and “canary breeder,” are no longer relevant in the current economy. These positions have either become obsolete or rarely exist, making it unfair and confusing to use them as a basis for denying disability claims.
In total, the SSA will be eliminating 114 job classifications from the DOT, including outdated roles like “reptile farmer” and “dance hall host.” Additionally, 13 other occupations will be reconsidered due to concerns raised by federal courts regarding their relevance as criteria for disability claims. These changes are part of the SSA’s effort to modernize its disability programs and make decisions more aligned with today’s labor market.
Why This Change Matters
For millions of Americans who rely on disability benefits, this change is a game-changer. The removal of obsolete job classifications means that applicants will no longer be denied benefits based on jobs that simply do not exist anymore. Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley emphasized that it makes sense to eliminate professions that are extremely rare in the national economy.
Many people have applauded the move, particularly social justice organizations like the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy. The change is seen as an important step forward in making the disability claims process fairer and more accessible. Dr. T. Anansi Wilson, a scholar and activist, noted on social media that this change would provide relief to thousands of people currently fighting disability claims in court, particularly people of color who have historically been more likely to be denied benefits.
How Social Security Disability Benefits Help Millions
Disability benefits are vital for millions of Americans. The SSDI program, funded by Social Security payroll taxes, provides financial support to individuals who can no longer work due to serious medical conditions. In 2023, the SSDI program’s budget was estimated at $152 billion, helping people with disabilities pay for medical care, housing, food, and other essential expenses.
The SSDI system operates based on work history, and most SSDI recipients have worked for many years before becoming disabled. On average, SSDI recipients have 22 years of employment history and earned middle-class wages before becoming unable to continue working due to illness or injury.
Challenges in Receiving Disability Benefits
The SSDI process can be complex and difficult. Most applicants are initially denied benefits because they do not meet technical qualifications. After the initial rejection, the remaining claims are sent to each state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) for a medical and vocational evaluation. Unfortunately, less than one-third of applicants will eventually receive approval for benefits.
Once an individual is approved, their benefits may be periodically reviewed by the SSA to ensure that they still qualify for assistance. This ongoing evaluation helps prevent overpayments to individuals who have recovered or returned to work.
Conclusion
The removal of outdated job classifications by the SSA is a significant improvement for the disability benefits process. It ensures that disabled individuals are evaluated fairly based on current job markets rather than obsolete professions. This change, combined with other ongoing efforts to modernize the Social Security system, is expected to benefit millions of Americans who rely on these crucial programs.
FAQs
The SSA is removing outdated and irrelevant job classifications from its Dictionary of Occupational Titles, making the disability benefits assessment process more current and applicable to today’s job market.
Applicants will no longer be denied benefits based on obsolete or non-existent job classifications. This will make the evaluation process fairer and more in line with current economic conditions.
The new change was officially announced on June 24 and will be reflected in the disability claims process going forward.
SSDI provides financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to disability, helping cover essential living expenses like medical care, housing, and food.
Yes, if an applicant is denied benefits, they have the right to appeal the decision and have their case reviewed.
