Claimant Representation - Social Security [SSDI/SSI] 

Attorney and non-attorney claimant representatives are increasingly finding SkillTRAN products to be quite useful in discerning and confirming expert testimony. Claimant reps in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Veteran Disability venues are now able to quickly call up the work history and alternative occupations coding used by SSA and Vocational Experts, before, during, and after the hearings. Claimant reps are able to ask much better questions of the Vocational Expert (VE) during hearings and to confirm the proper citation of residual occupations for the specific stated hypothetical.  Pre-hearing, it is possible to anticipate what a VE might cite during a hearing and prepare for focused questions on estimated employment numbers for those DOT occupations at the National, State, and Local level. Post-hearing, it is possible to quickly submit supporting information to counter various parts of the vocational testimony, complete with bluebook format source citations. As proficiency using the tools increases, pre-screening claims can help to minimize the frequency of less "winnable" cases.

Eight Ways to Use SkillTRAN for SS Claimant Representation Work

  1. Properly prepare and present work history - Initial, Reconsideration, Appeals
  2. Verify / Fact Check the Vocational Expert / Witness
  3. Confirm that VE testimony about a DOT occupation is accurate and meets the constraints of the current hypothetical factors
  4. For older workers, confirm transferability of occupations
  5. Does the number of jobs quoted by the VE make sense?
  6. Does the VE follow a clear process for determining job numbers?
  7. User existing Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) data to better inform on muddy issues
  8. Build a solid, detailed, evidence-based post hearing / appeals brief.

Authoritative Resources

SSA administrative law judges (ALJ) have access to several SkillTRAN products in their digital electronic libary. The Chief ALJ recognizes these software products as "acceptable electronic versions of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)". Attorney Peter J. LeMoine (formerly an ALJ) reviews various resources used in SSA adjudication. He noted:  "Job Browser Pro employs what this writer believes to be reasonably scientific methodology to provide regional and national job numbers on a DOT level."

"Award-Winning" Software

SkillTRAN software can help you win more awards in a variety of ways. We diligently adhere to the 20 CFR 404.1658(d) definition for transferability of skills. It is an excellent definition around which we have based our steady software evolution since the early 1980s. We supplement our software with current, authoritative public data sources for information about wages, employment numbers, and long-term outlook.

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SkillTRAN developed a unique methodology (in Job Browser Pro and OASYS Web) to tackle the problematic issue of estimating employment numbers at the DOT level.

Primary Uses

  • Quick lookup of work history
  • Lookup DOT codes by code or title to confirm appropriate VE testimony consistent with the ALJ's RFC
  • Complete worker characteristics (not just limited to the "Selected Characteristics" of the SCO)
  • Easy searching for occupations
  • Tied to labor market resources - Occupational Employment Survey (OES), CENSUS, Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
  • Unique method to estimate employment numbers at the DOT level (Job Browser Pro - PC & Web and OASYS Web)
  • Anticipate/propose hypotheticals and understand likely hearing testimony
  • Copy and paste data with bluebook format citations to your post-hearing brief

Popular Products

Availability of SkillTRAN Products for Social Security Claimant Representatives

ACRD logo Effective June 1, 2024, Social Security Claimant Representatives have the opportunity to acquire the BEST of SkillTRAN Products - OASYS Web - through a special agreement with ACRD - Advocates and Claimant Representatives for the Disabled. ACRD is a membership organization with a very modest membership fee ... and it INCLUDES OASYS WEB ! Click here for full details!

Claimant representatives with existing licenses will be able to renew their support and subscriptions through ACRD when their current subscriptions with SkillTRAN expire.

Service and support for ALL CUSTOMERS will continue to be provided by SkillTRAN.