Social Security Touts Removal of 114 DOT Occupations

The Social Security Administration recently announced that it would be removing 114 DOT occupations that exist in very limited numbers if at all in the national economy. Accordingly, these occupations will not be used when determining “not disabled” in the last step of the evaluation process.

Let me explain. In cases for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if a claimant is found to be able to do work in a job that exists in “substantial numbers” in the national economy their claim for benefits will usually be denied.

Social Security touts this action to ease the burden on claimants. Really.

Let me explain further. In 1938 the United States Department of Labor created the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). The last time the DOT was updated was in 1991, 35 years ago. The DOT has been replaced by the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).  Social Security. Social Security still uses the DOT in making determinations as to whether specific job titles exist in substantial numbers. Using this out-of-date publication often determines whether the claimant will receive his or her benefits

A brief perusal of the DOT will quickly reveal that it is hopelessly out of date.

So, removal of 114 DOT occupations from among the 13,000 titles that were updated 35 years ago does not seem to address the real issue. Social Security I believe should discard the use of the DOT as its standard and be replaced by its contemporary counterpart.

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