Outdated Data in Disability Adjudication: A Stalled Update at the SSA
A long-anticipated refresh of the occupational data used in the disability adjudication process at the Social Security Administration (SSA) has hit a roadblock. This overhaul, which many hoped would modernize the way the SSA assesses disability claims, was quietly folded into a broader regulatory reform that the Trump administration ultimately abandoned last week.
The Cost of Inaction
The SSA has invested heavily—over $300 million—into this data update over the years, which underscores the importance of having accurate, relevant occupational data. Currently, the SSA relies on outdated information from the Labor Department, last updated in 1991. This outdated data is crucial in determining whether a disability applicant can transition to other kinds of work that are deemed plentiful in today’s economy. If the SSA concludes that the applicant can shift to a new job type, benefits can be denied, making this data not just a bureaucratic formalism but a pivotal factor in people’s lives.
A Bipartisan Concern
Despite the hurdles, the need for updated data has been recognized across party lines. Both Democrats and Republicans have urged the SSA to adopt more current occupational data to reflect the realities of today’s job market. However, SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano offered no concrete plan or timeline during a recent meeting with the disability rights group Alliance for America’s Promise. Questions about the data project’s future were met with vague commitments to explore the issue but ultimately lacked any specifics.
Regulatory Challenges
The unfinished regulatory reform included more than just the data update; it also proposed controversial changes that could have eliminated age as a criterion for disability benefits. Critics feared that such measures could displace hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries. Proponents, however, argued that updating the regulations was essential to accommodate the evolving nature of work and the increasing longevity of the population.
The Long Road to Modernization
For over a decade, the SSA has collaborated with the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a new occupational dataset called the Occupational Requirements Survey. This partnership was intended to yield a more accurate reflection of the job landscape, particularly for people with disabilities. Yet, despite previous expectations to transition to this new dataset as early as 2020, a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) indicates that the agency still lacks both a clear plan and a target date for this vital update. The GAO has categorized the outdated data as "high risk," reflecting its critical importance and the urgency for reform.
Real-World Implications
The reliance on antiquated data can lead to inaccuracies in benefit determinations. For instance, SSA may deny benefits based on its assessment that a claimant can find jobs that are no longer viable—a startling reality illustrated through examples of obsolete roles like "microfilm processor." Last year, the SSA identified 114 occupations it would no longer consider, including jobs that had become nearly extinct, such as "telegrapher" and "motion picture projectionist."
In an effort to modernize its approach, the SSA has published new regulations that permit vocational experts to use updated job definitions more freely. However, the overarching disability process continues to lean heavily on a dataset that hasn’t been refreshed in over three decades, leaving many advocates frustrated.
The Layers of Complexity
Moreover, if and when the SSA finally transitions to the new dataset compiled by the BLS, it will also require new information technology systems. Unfortunately, development on these systems has lagged, waiting for the requisite regulatory and policy changes to be finalized.
Michelle Spadafore, a senior supervising attorney at the New York Legal Assistance Group, recently remarked on the current state of affairs. While she expressed some relief concerning the complexities involved, she acknowledged that the delay in updating the vocational data is undoubtedly cumbersome.
Navigating the Future
As discussions continue regarding the future of this occupational data update, key stakeholders are left in a state of uncertainty. While it is clear that reform is necessary, the path forward remains unclear, leaving applicants, advocates, and lawmakers alike hoping for a tangible resolution to a complex and critical issue.
