Skip to main content

SOCIAL SECURITY WAIT TIMES ARE 3X LONGER

 The average wait time for disability benefits is three times longer than a decade ago according to an CNBC article. An initial decision takes an average of six month and a final decree typically takes two years or more. 

From 2010 to 2021 the operating budget of the Social Security Administration (SSA) was reduced by 14%. Meanwhile the number of recipients climbed by 22% over the same period. This has put a strain both on those waiting for news about their applications and the employees working to ease the pressure. The average wait time for a call to an SSA office is roughly thirty-one minutes. 


The 2020 COVID pandemic closed all Social Security offices from March 2020 to July 2022.  The effects of COVID left Social Security crippled with a smaller workforce, high employee turnover, inadequate funding and other problems that spell excessively long wait times for those served by the agency.

It now takes 3 times longer to get an initial disability decision compared to two years ago.   And it usually requires an additional 18 to 24 months  before the claim is finally settled - due to the long appeal process that is usually required.

AARP sent a letter to both party leaders in the senate requesting updates and funding to help alleviate the long wait times.

In October 2022 the US Congress provided a modest lifeline to Social Security, providing an additional 400 million dollars for fiscal year 2023.  (Social Security had twice asked for an additional $800 million).  This funding may be enough to tread water but it won't solve Social Security's many customer service problems.  It won't solve the long, long wait times to get decisions on disability claims.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RED FLAGS IN SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASES

  RED FLAGS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASE A red flag is something that causes concern or raises a problem in a Social Security disability case.   In short, it’s something that may get the claim denied or cause a big problem. Here are some of the red flags that we see crop up: ·          Work after the alleged onset date (AOD).   Since the process takes so long, many claimants feel that they are forced to return to work for income.   Social Security often sees this as a sign that the claimant is not disabled. ·          Severe substance abuse.   Chronic and frequent abuse of drugs or alcohol can pose problems. ·           A skimpy work record.   A claimant who has worked very little or has jumped from job to job frequently may not have good credibility. ·          Quitting wo...
Post a Comment
Read more

WHAT YOU WILL BE ASKED AT A DISABILITY HEARING

Most Social Security disability claims will be denied twice:  First at the end of the Application process, and again after the "Reconsideration" process.  The third stop will be a hearing before a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It is here at the hearing level that most SSDI claims are paid.  So, what do you need to know about your Social Security disability hearing?     First, the judge will follow the rules established by the Social Security Administration.  His or her job is to determine whether you meet the particular laws and rules to receive disability payments.  So, it is a legal proceeding where you must prove certain things in order to get paid. Among the things you must prove:  Your insured status with Social Security:  You have worked recently enough and paid into the Social Security trust fund to gain the required "work credits" to support your claim.  You have a severe medical or mental impairment supported by adequa...
Post a Comment
Read more

HOW TO COMPLETE A FUNCTION REPORT OR ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING FORM

After you apply for Social Security Disability (SSDI), you will be sent a FUNCTION REPORT to fill out and return.  This form asks a lot of very detailed questions about your daily activities:  driving, cooking, cleaning, dressing, visiting others, hobbies, etc. The Social Security Administration will use your answers to determine whether you can work or not.  You must show on this Function Report that you have limitations that do not permit you to work a full-time job.  You do this by showing your limitations in activities of daily living. Your goal in the Function Report is to show the struggles and challenges you have with everyday life.  It may not be sufficient to answer a question with "Yes" and fail to explain. For example:  "Can you drive?"  If you answer "Yes," Social Security will assume that your ability to drive is unlimited:  you can drive anytime, anywhere and as often or as far as you want.  That may not be true and would need t...
Post a Comment
Read more