The Role of Vocational Experts in Social Security Disability Hearings

What Is the Role of the Vocational Expert at a Social Security Disability Hearing?

Did you recently receive your notice of a scheduled disability hearing and you’re wondering what the role of the vocational expert will be?

My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible—so they can focus on getting better. Today, we’re going to discuss the role of the vocational expert in Social Security Disability hearings.

What Is a Vocational Expert (VE)?

The vocational expert, or the VE, is a professional who provides expert testimony at Social Security Disability hearings regarding your past relevant work and your ability to perform work-related activities based on hypotheticals that are presented by the judge and/or your attorney.

What Does the VE Evaluate?

VEs use their knowledge of the labor market and occupational requirements to assess whether you can perform any work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy.

The VE will consider several key factors:

Your age
Your education
Your work history
Other factors that may affect your ability to work

The VE may also be asked to provide an opinion as to whether you are capable of performing any work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy, considering certain hypothetical limitations.

How Does the Judge Use the VE’s Opinion?

The VE’s opinion is one of several factors that the administrative law judge will consider when making a determination about your eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits.

Why the VE Matters

Overall, the role of the vocational expert is to provide expert testimony to assist the administrative law judge in making a fair and accurate determination about your eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits based on your ability to engage in full-time, competitive employment.

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