The Washington Post has a new editorial out criticizing Social Security for failing to use the new occupational information system that has been under development for more than a decade.
The Post falls for the right wing argument that use of the new OIS will result in more people being denied Social Security disability benefits. The new OIS will show what sophisticated observers already know. The cognitive demands of employment have gone up significantly. This has significantly decreased the availability of unskilled work. Those unskilled sedentary jobs are gone as are many of the light ones. Without major, and quite hostile, revisions to disability determination regulations, this results in far more disability claims being approved.
Ah, yes, it’s the old “let’s get rid of the DOT because it’s archaic, hasn’t been updated in 30+ years, and doesn’t reflect the modern labor market” while “let’s keep the grid rules and regulations that limit the evaluation to only unskilled jobs and were created 40+ years ago because they still fully reflect the modern labor force and labor market” position.
ReplyDeleteIf you believe a 42yo with a HS or college education and no cognitive limitations needs special skills to obtain and perform entry-level SVP 3 and 4 work, then you’re probably less concerned with the program getting real and reflecting the modern labor market and more concerned about getting as many people on benefits via non-disability factors.
Didn’t fall for the right wing argument. Presented both sides. No one knows the answer, do they ? Since there is no new system in use.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you’re saying people are too stupid to work less physically strenuous jobs?
ReplyDeleteWaPo pulling no punches with this final line:
ReplyDelete"It is time for Mr. Biden to nominate a commissioner who is capable of taking the Social Security Administration into the 21st century."
Kilolo is a nice enough lady, but she really isn't qualified to run the agency.
Kilolo does seem nice, but she's saddled with people promoted under Saul and Black. This editorial focuses on the jobs database, like it's a cure all. It isn't. VE testimony supplements info in the DOT. If modernizing means better IT, and less layers of do nothing managers, please modernize.
DeleteFrankly I think the biggest factor for the agency is how fast they can process claims rather than how many they end up paying out. For many years the focus has been on production and backlogs in the disability process. SSA knows how to use the DOT so they go with the devil they know. Rather than implementing something new that will require lots of retraining and won't guarantee faster processing in the end.
ReplyDeleteSaul did say he wanted to move ahead on the issue. I don't think reporting that means the Post fell for a right wing argument. Of course, you have to be skeptical and I think that was what Charles was getting at. In my opinion, under Saul's watch SSA did advance and implement non-evidence based policy that coincided with far right views, like xenophobia (rule limiting SSAs obligation to consider a person's limited English proficiency when obviously that makes a difference in getting most jobs). Under Saul there were people with hands on SSA's disability policy levers who had expressed opinions consistent with cutting Social Security programs, a long-time right wing policy goal. If you are looking out for the interests of people with disabilities, then you have to be concerned that when the rules get written on how SSA uses the modern jobs data, that some might use it as an opportunity to advance political goals. For that reason, disability advocates should be at the table and have input when those rules are developed. Transparency is needed.
ReplyDeleteWaPo is conflating OIS (which everyone wants) with changes to age categories which Saul and some others wanted, and which would result in more denials.
ReplyDeleteThe Washington Post article was great and was talking about these job descriptions that haven't been updated in since 1977. Also, the DOT makes no allowance for absence from work due to medical issues. I had a hearing yesterday when I had to contend with the lens inserter and the tube operator.
ReplyDelete