Sufficient vocational information generally includes all the elements below. When a vocational evaluation is material at step 4 or 5 of sequential evaluation, determine if the information in file about the claimant’s past work is complete enough to:

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  Determine relevancy, based on the factors described in DI 25005.015A (substantial gainful activity, performed within the 5 year past relevant work period, performed long enough to learn it, and did not start and stop in fewer than 30 calendar days),

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  Identify job duties,

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  Evaluate the claimant’s ability to do PRW, and

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  Identify skills in semi-skilled or skilled work (if a transferability of skills assessment (TSA) is required.) To view the TSA requirements, see DI 25015.017.

For additional information about when a vocational evaluation is material and sufficient at steps 4 or 5 of sequential evaluation, see DI 22515.010.

Vocational evidence in prior filings may be sufficient for making a current determination. Review prior folder evidence, including:

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  SSA-3368-BK,

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  SSA-3369-BK,

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  SSA-5002 (Report of Contact),

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  Disability Case Processing System (DCPS) Disability Determination Explanation (DDE), or

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  Case Development Worksheet (CDW).

Copy all documents containing relevant vocational information from the prior filing into the current filing. For guidance on copying documents from prior electronic folders, see DI 81005.052.

The vocational information in the file must be sufficient for a step 4 denial or sufficient to rule out ability to do PRW as the claimant did the job and as generally performed in the national economy and for a step 5 determination. If the vocational evidence is missing some necessary information, a new complete SSA-3369-BK generally should not be obtained. For example, the completed SSA-3368-BK vocational section may include job titles and descriptions, but the dates worked are left blank. In this case, obtaining only the missing or unclear information will expedite vocational documentation and evaluation.

The following steps may save processing time and eliminate potential inconsistencies among forms:

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  Review any relevant information from prior filings, as outlined in DI 22515.003A2, in this section.

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  Determine what additional information is needed to evaluate steps 4 and 5 of sequential evaluation.

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  Attempt to contact the claimant or representative by phone to obtain missing or unclear information.

Document any information obtained by phone on the case worksheet or in DCPS and indicate who the information was obtained from (e.g. claimant or representative).

1. a. 

   Homelessness

   If a claimant is experiencing homelessness, and had more than one job in the five-year period before they stopped working due to their medical condition(s), the field office will obtain a completed SSA-3369-BK. If additional evidence is material to the determination when a claimant is experiencing homelessness make special efforts to obtain this evidence, see DI 11005.018B.2. These efforts include contacting the claimant’s past employers or others who may have knowledge of the claimant’s work history. Keep in mind that the expedited vocational assessment at steps 4 and 5 of sequential evaluation in DI 25005.005 may apply.

2. b. 

   Quick Disability Determination (QDD), Compassionate Allowance (CAL), or a Terminal Illness (TERI)

   When SSA identifies the claim as Quick Disability Determination (QDD), Compassionate Allowance (CAL), or a Terminal Illness (TERI) case, the FO abbreviates vocational development on the SSA-3368-BK. If you determine the case will require evaluation at step 4 or 5 of sequential evaluation, send the SSA-3369-BK to the claimant for completion. For additional information about QDD and CAL cases see DI 23022.010. For additional information about TERI cases see DI 23020.045E.

A material inconsistency exists in vocational evidence when the inconsistency presents an issue that makes a difference between the decision to allow or deny or affects the established onset date determination (EOD).

A discrepancy may not present a material inconsistency. If work information is inconsistent among multiple forms but the vocational information provided is sufficient for a determination at steps 4 and 5 of sequential evaluation or the expedited vocational assessment in DI 25005.005 applies, no additional vocational development is required. When an inconsistency exists, document the case file by describing the inconsistency and how it was resolved.

EXAMPLE: On the SSA-3368-BK and SSA-3369-BK, a claimant provides different start and end dates for the same job.

If both end dates are before the EOD, and both time periods meet relevancy requirements, this discrepancy is not material, and no additional development is required.

If one of the ending dates provided by the claimant conflicts with the EOD, or

If one of the time periods provided does not meet relevancy requirements, the discrepancy is material and additional development is required to resolve the inconsistency.