The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced significant changes to its disability benefits program. The SSA updated the definition used to evaluate whether individuals qualify for disability support. The SSA found that some jobs potentially suitable for disabled individuals were not generally available in the American labor market.
The SSA discovered 114 positions, including roles like models, astronomers, and agricultural engineers, with limited job opportunities. These occupations will no longer be considered in the SSA’s evaluation process. The SSA has also identified 13 job categories where judges have raised concerns about labeling workers “not disabled.” The SSA will now consider whether there are enough jobs in the labor market for these individuals as part of its assessment.
Updating disability benefits criteria
Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley said, “Our decision-makers will no longer use these jobs as justification for rejecting disability benefits applications as a result of this change.
The SSA will rely on data from the Occupational Requirements Survey of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to guide future changes. In May, the number of Social Security disability beneficiaries was 7.23 million, a decrease of 20,000 from the previous month.
The average monthly benefit was just over $1,500, with a total payout of over $11 million for the month. Retirement specialist Burt Williamson commented that this decrease could be due to a variety of factors, including individuals passing away, switching from disability to retirement benefits, or losing eligibility. However, he acknowledged that this is speculative.
This update is a significant step toward refining the evaluation criteria for disability benefits. It ensures that only relevant job opportunities are considered in the SSA’s decision-making process.
