Specific vocational preparation is a term that refers to the amount of time the Social Security Administration thinks it will take a disability applicant to learn the skills and requirements to perform another type of work outside of the work you had been performing before you became disabled. Specific vocational preparation (usually referred to as SVP) is a term that many disability applicants run into when the Social Security Administration looks at the type of work that the applicant has done in the past, comparing the requirements of other jobs that may be available in the national workplace.
Sometimes the Social Security Administration denies a disability claim due to the fact that they determine an applicant can perform a less strenuous job using the same skills that were learned on jobs that were held in the past. When this occurs, specific vocational preparation (or SVP) is a term that is usually encountered.
The reason that SVP is a problem for disability applicants is that while an applicant may not be able to continue in their current employment role, the SSA may determine that there are other forms of work they could feasibly perform. When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, you must prove to the Social Security Administration that you are completely disabled. If the adjudicator who reviews your file feels that you can perform other types of work with the skill set that you already possess, your claim for SSDI or SSI will be denied.
If your claim for Social Security Disability has been denied due to specific vocational preparation, you should consider consulting with a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate. These professionals can help you determine whether or not it would be feasible to appeal the SSA's decision to deny your claim for disability benefits.
