The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made important changes to its disability benefits program. These changes affect how disabled people are evaluated for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you are already receiving benefits or are planning to apply, it’s important to understand how these new rules could impact your chances of qualifying.
New Definition of Disability
Previously, the SSA’s definition of disability was strict. A person had to be unable to do any substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a physical or mental condition that was expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. However, the SSA has updated this definition to better reflect the current job market in the U.S.
The SSA discovered that some jobs, like those for models, astronomers, and agricultural engineers, were rarely available. As a result, these jobs will no longer be considered when determining if a person is eligible for disability benefits. This means that if you were previously denied benefits because the SSA thought you could do one of these rare jobs, you might now have a better chance of qualifying.
Focusing on Relevant Jobs
The SSA has also identified 13 other jobs that may not be suitable for people labeled as “not disabled.” Moving forward, the agency will consider whether there are enough available jobs in the labor market for a person applying for disability benefits. If certain jobs are not common or realistic for disabled workers, those jobs will no longer be used as a reason to deny an application.
Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley stated that it makes sense to stop using jobs that are in low demand as a reason for rejecting applications. This change is meant to make the application process fairer and more efficient.
How the Changes Improve the Disability Benefits Program
These updates to the disability benefits program are intended to help the SSA more accurately determine who qualifies for benefits. By focusing on jobs that are actually available and suitable for disabled workers, the agency can be clearer when deciding who is eligible for benefits.
In the long run, the SSA will continue using data from the Occupational Requirements Survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This will help guide future decisions and improvements to the disability program.
Statistics on Disability Benefits
As of May, 7.23 million disabled workers were receiving Social Security benefits. This was a slight decrease from the previous month, with 20,000 fewer people receiving payments. On average, the government paid each worker around $1,500 per month, totaling over $11 million in benefits for the month.
There are several possible reasons for the drop in the number of people receiving disability benefits. Burt Williamson, a retirement specialist, suggested that some of these changes could be due to people passing away, switching from disability to retirement benefits, or losing eligibility for other reasons. However, these are just theories, and more data may be needed to fully understand the trend.
The recent changes to the Social Security Administration’s disability benefits program aim to make the process more accurate and fair. By updating the definition of disability and focusing on relevant jobs in the current economy, the SSA hopes to make sure that more people who truly need assistance can qualify for it. These changes will help ensure that disabled individuals are judged based on realistic job opportunities, improving their chances of receiving benefits. If you’re applying for SSDI or are already receiving benefits, it’s important to stay informed about how these updates might affect you.
FAQs
What is the new SSA definition of disability?
The SSA now focuses on jobs that are actually available in the labor market. Jobs that are rare or unrealistic for disabled workers will no longer be considered when evaluating eligibility for benefits.
Why were some jobs removed from consideration?
Jobs like models and agricultural engineers were removed from consideration because they are rarely available in the U.S. labor market.
How many people are receiving Social Security disability benefits?
As of May, 7.23 million people were receiving disability benefits, with an average monthly payment of around $1,500.
What does the SSA consider when evaluating applications now?
The SSA looks at whether the jobs disabled people might be able to perform are actually available in the labor market.
