In determining disability claims, Social Security may have to evaluate whether a person can adjust to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy. Image: Jimmy Rooney/Shutterstock.com
The Social Security Administration has taken several actions that together ease the burdens for those claiming disability benefits.
While the SSA process is separate from federal disability retirement, those applying for a disability benefit under FERS—which includes Social Security–must apply for a Social Security disability benefit at the same time. That’s because disability benefits for FERS employees are based on the expectation that they will be receiving both FERS and Social Security benefits and there is a formula for offsetting the two.
To qualify for disability benefits from Social Security, individuals must have either a physical or mental impairment that is expected to prevent them from doing any substantial work for at least a year or be suffering from a condition that is expected to result in death. That’s a higher bar than federal employment disability retirement, in which the employing agency must determine that they could not perform “useful and efficient service” in their current position or any other vacant position within the agency and commuting area at the same grade or pay level.
In determining disability claims, Social Security may have to evaluate whether a person can adjust to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy. To make this determination, the SSA considers a person’s capacity to do work-related activities, as well as consider their age, education, and work experience.
In one recent change, the SSA identified 114 occupations that exist in only limited numbers—including in occupations such as mechanical watch repairer and telegraph operator. “Based on this finding, the agency will not use these occupations to support a “not disabled” finding at the last step in the evaluation process for disability determinations,” it said.
In another 13 occupations there will have to be additional proof that such jobs exist in a sufficient number to be considered an option for the individual to work.
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