CAN THESE INSANE JOBS CAUSE YOU TO BE DENIED BENEFITS?

Social Security uses an obsolete publication to identify jobs that a disability claimant may be able to do.  These jobs, in turn, are often used to deny disability claims.  The publication required by Social Security decision makers is The Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), first published in the 1930s and last updated in 1993.  The DOT describes 12,569 jobs.  Many of them are obsolete, from a bygone era.  Here are a few of the more ridiculous jobs found in the DOT.  The DOT code number is given, to prove this is no joke.

• Horse Identifier   DOT Code 153.387-010

• Horse and Wagon Driver  919.664-010

• Butter Melter   523-585-010

• Animal Impersonator   159.047-018

• Bucket Chucker   664.685-014

• Belly Roller   583.685-094

• Side Splitter   525-684-018

• Worm Picker   413-687-010

• Egg Smeller   521.687-042

• Bowling Ball Weigher   732.487-010

And my personal favorite....

• Coach Driver, DOT Code 349.677-014.  The DOT job description reads:  "May clean or polish vehicle such as a carriage, wagon or cart." 

If you are judged physically and mentally able to perform one of these archaic jobs (or any other job in the DOT) you may be denied benefits at Step 5 of the sequential decision making process, where most denials occur.

The US Department of Labor considers the DOT to be obsolete.  However, the Social Security Administration considers it their primary vocational resource--the definitive guide to jobs in the modern age. Judges are required to confirm that any vocational testimony "confirms to the DOT."  Social Security has even taken "administrative notice" of the DOT, which makes it difficult to challenge it. Social Security's attitude:  If it's in the DOT, it's Gospel.

This could be one reason your disability claim was denied:  reliance upon such outdated data as the DOT.  Some federal courts have taken notice of denials based on DOT data and have reversed the decisions on appeal.  

I think Social Security is moving in the direction of allowing other occupational data to be used; however, no one knows how long that will take.