Direct answer
What is a vocational expert?
A vocational expert (VE) is an independent specialist the SSA calls to testify at ALJ hearings about jobs and job requirements, as described in POMS DI 23565 and HALLEX.
The VE answers hypothetical questions from the ALJ about whether jobs exist that a person with specified limits could perform, using the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and current labor-market information.
Sourced from ssa.gov — see citations below.
What does the VE do at a hearing?
Classifies your past work, answers hypothetical questions about jobs a hypothetical person with your limits could do, and identifies representative occupations and job numbers.
Can I question the VE?
Yes — you or your representative can cross-examine the VE on job requirements, transferability of skills, and the basis for job-number estimates.
Why does the VE matter?
At step five of the sequential evaluation, the SSA bears the burden of showing other work exists — VE testimony often decides that step.
Topics
Sources
Every figure and rule on this page is drawn from official SSA publications. Verify at the links below.
- SSA POMS — DI 23565 Vocational Experts (secure.ssa.gov)
- SSA — Hearing Process (ssa.gov)