SSA - POMS: DI 25015.018 - Transferability of Skills Assessment Process

A. Overview of the transferability of skills assessment (TSA) process

The TSA process involves 5 steps explained in detail in this section:

1.

Identify the individual’s skills from their past relevant work (PRW).
2.

Consider how likely it is that the skills will transfer from PRW to other skilled or semiskilled work.
3.

Plan and conduct the initial search.
4.

Analyze the data and make the transferability finding.
5.

Document the TSA.

Because TSA requires a complex vocational analysis, vocational specialist (VS) assistance may be required. For additional information about VSs, see DI 25003.001.

B. Step 1 – Identify the individual’s skills from their PRW

Ensure the case evidence provides sufficient work history information. For information on developing additional vocational evidence, see DI 22515.010C.

For information about what we consider a skill, see DI 25015.017B.1.

C. Step 2 – Consider how likely it is that the skill(s) will transfer from PRW to other skilled or semiskilled work

1. General guidelines

a. Transferability is less likely when:

•

The skills are specific to an isolated industry, such as fishing, mining, or agriculture which

exist in very limited locations.
•

The RFC has more restrictive limitations.
•

The PRW is semiskilled.
•

The case requires application of the very little, if any, vocational adjustment standard as explained in DI 25015.017D.

For related examples, see DI 25015.019A.

b. Transferability is more likely when:

•

The skills are applicable across industry lines.
•

RFC has less restrictive limitations.
•

The PRW is skilled.
•

The case does not require application of the very little, if any, vocational adjustment standard as explained in DI 25015.017C.

For related examples, see DI 25015.019B

2. Occupational guidelines

a. Occupations with skills unlikely to transfer to any work

•

Nurse’s aide. Associated skills may be barely above the unskilled level (but may vary among nurse’s aides).
•

Commercial truck driving. Basic driving is not a skill. Job-related skills vary across different driving occupations.
•

Occupations in isolated industries.

b. Occupations with skills unlikely to transfer to sedentary work

•

Heavy work
•

Very heavy work

For a related example, see DI 25015.019A.1.

EXCEPTION: Skills listed in DI 25015.018C.2.d. in this section are likely to transfer regardless of whether the related PRW required heavy or very heavy exertion.

c. Occupations with skills likely to transfer to light work

•

Auto repair (For a related example, see DI 25015.019B.6.)
•

Cooking
•

Electrician (For a related example, see DI 25015.019B.5.)
•

Heavy equipment operator
•

Inspecting
•

Law enforcement (For a related example, see DI 25015.019B.4.)
•

Machining
•

Maintenance mechanic
•

Master carpenter (For a related example, see DI 25015.019B.2.)
•

Nursing (For a related example, see DI 25015.019B.1.)
•

Plumbing
•

Sales

d. Occupations with skills likely to transfer to light or sedentary work

•

Assembly
•

Clerical
•

Supervisor (For a related example, see DI 25015.019B.3.)

CAUTION: Supervision of the daily operations of specific job or industry functions does not provide transferable skills unless the work (1) is in the same or a similar industry and (2) uses the same or similar tools, materials, and work processes

For example, we would not expect a supervisor of fast-food workers to have skills that would allow the individual to have a vocational advantage adjusting to a supervisor in a banking office.

D. Step 3 – Plan and conduct the search

1. Use agency-approved occupational information tools

The Disability Case Processing System (DCPS) provides links to approved occupational information tools, including SkillTRAN Online Services (ssa.gov). The OccuBrowse User Guide, available in the A-Z Disability Training Index, explains how to search using various coding systems that may be useful in searching for potential work to which the claimant’s skills may transfer.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS for TSA-related worker trait searches in OccuBrowse:

•

Adjust worker traits for physical residual functional capacity (RFC).
•

Adjust SVP levels to exclude unskilled work and include skilled and semiskilled work at or below the complexity of the claimant’s work experience.
•

Search the code(s) relevant to the individual’s work background (work that provided the skills.)
•

Separately search the Work Field (WF) code(s) and the Material, Products, Subject Matter, and Services (MPSMS) code(s).
•

“Reset All” selections from your last search before beginning a new one.

2. Conduct the occupational searches required based on likelihood of skills transfer

a. Skills unlikely to transfer

If step 2 indicates skills are unlikely to transfer, you may need two separate worker trait searches considering relevant:

(1) Three-digit WF code(s) and

(2) Three-digit MPSMS code(s).

If you cannot identify sufficient work that uses the claimant’s skills and meets the other transferability requirements using the WF and MPSMS searches, continue to step 4. You may conclude the skills do not transfer.

b. Skills likely to transfer

When step 2 indicates skills are likely to transfer (or it is unclear whether the skills are likely to transfer), first complete two separate worker trait searches considering relevant:

(1) Three-digit WF code(s) and

(2) Three-digit MPSMS code(s).

If you cannot identify sufficient work that uses the claimant’s skills and meets the other transferability requirements using the WF and MPSMS searches, you must do an additional search using the Guide for Occupational Exploration (GOE) code to identify sufficient work or rule out transferability.

IMPORTANT: In any case, you may stop searching when you find three occupations that use the claimant’s skills and meet the other transferability requirements. Otherwise complete the indicated searches before proceeding to step 4.

E. Step 4 – Analyze the data and make the transferability finding

1.
For each occupation identified that the claimant’s skills can potentially transfer to:
- •
  
  Consider the DOT description of duties.
- •
  
  Make a policy-informed judgment about whether skills gained in PRW provide the claimant with an advantage over an unskilled worker when adjusting to the occupation.
- •
  
  Consider the factors in DI 25015.017B.7.
REMINDER: A complete similarity of the factors in DI 25015.017B.7. is not generally required; however, if the very little if any, vocational adjustment standard applies, use the policy explained in DI 25015.017C.
2.

Determine whether the claimant’s skills transfer to other skilled or semiskilled work.

F. Step 5 – Document the TSA

In DCPS, the TSA is documented on the Vocational Assessment page, in the Vocational Explanation. For examples of TSA documentation, see DI 25015.019.

1. Provide a narrative rationale

Include the following:

•

Identify the relevant PRW with skill level and SVP,
•

List skills identified and considered,
•

Explain why transferability is likely or unlikely,
•

Identify the searches performed,
•

Analysis of the data with case facts,
•

Make the transferability finding.

2. Document your conclusion

•

Select the appropriate Medical-Vocational rule.
•

If you concluded that the claimant’s skills transfer to other skilled or semiskilled work, provide the supporting occupations. For information on how to cite occupations, see DI 25025.030B1.

Social Security

Program Operations Manual System (POMS)

DI 25015.018 Transferability of Skills Assessment Process