US social security will no longer deny disability claims based on ability to work outdated jobs

A pneumatic tube operator, an obsolete occupation that the government argued people applying for benefits can do. Photograph: Walter Nurnberg/SSPL/Getty Images

The US’s social security administration is no longer considering a number of outdated jobs as possible work opportunities to deny those applying for disability benefits.

Social security disability benefits are determined with a claimant’s medical records and ability to work in mind. If unable to perform their past job, the administration looks at the person’s age, education and work experience to see if they can do other kinds of work.