One of the most damaging SSDI mistakes happens quietly. SSA mislabels your past work based on job titles, not what you actually did.
This error alone causes thousands of wrongful denials every year.
Why Job Titles Matter in SSDI
SSA uses the Dictionary of Occupational Titles to classify work. They rely heavily on job titles to assign exertional and skill levels.
The problem is that real jobs rarely match DOT descriptions.
For example:
- Office manager who also lifted boxes
- Medical assistant who stood all day
- Retail supervisor who performed manual labor
SSA often assigns lighter work categories than reality.
How Misclassification Leads to Denials
If SSA classifies your past work as sedentary or light, they may conclude you can still perform it or similar work.
This is especially harmful for claimants over age 50, where correct classification can mean automatic approval.
Correcting the Record
Winning cases include:
- Detailed work history reports
- Clarified physical and mental demands
- Employer statements when available
- Hearing testimony correcting assumptions
Once the work is properly classified, the entire disability analysis changes.
Why Attorneys Focus on This Early
Fixing job classification early prevents:
- Incorrect RFC comparisons
- Bad vocational expert testimony
- Avoidable appeals
This issue is often overlooked until the hearing stage, when it becomes much harder to correct.
Final Takeaway
Your job title does not define your work. But SSA will treat it that way unless corrected.
Call to Action
If your SSDI claim was denied based on past work, classification may be the reason.
Call for a free vocational analysis review.
We fix job history mistakes that cost benefits.
No fees unless you win.
Internal Linking Suggestions:
- How Work History Controls SSDI
- Age 50 Plus SSDI Advantage
- When SSA Says You Can Do Other Work
