The Congressional House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security holds a hearing Tuesday, September 16th to address the 761,000 claim backlog of Social Security disability cases. Claim decision wait times are over 2 years in some regions of the country; overall, the wait for a decision has doubled since 2000. An increase in baby boomer applications and personnel shortages throughout the system are among factors contributing to the problem. The government is using several tactics to decrease the backlog, including hiring 189 additional administrative law judges and using videoconferencing to hear cases. Some methods are working; the Social Security Administration has completed 200,000 cases over 900 days old. Currently, 9 million people with disabilities collected a total of $96 billion in 2007. This year, 2.6 million people will file Social Security disability claims.
SOURCES:
“Congress Holds Hearing Tuesday, Sept. 16 on Backlog of Social Security Disability Cases -- Judges Say More Staff and Not Just Judges are Required to Reduce Caseload”
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/congress-holds-hearing-tuesday-sept/story.aspx?guid={FE19C88B-C6EC-41AD-B42A-E8BF941AF29A}&dist=hppr
“Applicants endure hardship while waiting for disability benefits to be OK'd”
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/custom/consumer/sfl-flrxdis0913pnsep13,0,3371474.story
“Social Security’s clogged pipeline”
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2008/08/21/disabled.html
RELATED:
The Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov
The Association of Administrative Law Judges
http://www.aalj.org/
27 comments:
The Social Security Administration should have been preparing in advance for the surplus in applications that are coming in and will continue to come in as the baby boomers get older. According to the U.S. Census Bureau there is an estimated 78.2 million baby boomers, which as of 2006 the baby boomers just started turning 60. The baby boomer era lasted from 1946 – 1964. So if the oldest of the baby boomers just turned 60 in 2006 it will not be until 2024 when the youngest of the baby boomer will turn 60. So 761,000 social security disability cases may seem to be an extraordinarily high number, however can you imagine how many backlog cases there will be if they do not get it under control as soon as possible. If they do not find a more effective ways to get through the cases the 2 years of awaiting form the Social Security Administration will seem like a very short amount of time.
Cameron L
I believe that there show have been more research done, know that this might happen in the future. I really is going to affect this generation in the sense that we do not know if there will be benefits by the time that we reach that era. SSA really needs to evaluate the consumers that are applying for benefits, I as well as other know of someone that has worked the system in obtain the resource that he/she needed, it is sad but true. Many other people who do need the services do not qualify, due to been honest about what they do. I make me wonder do we really have people that are advocating of individuals that really need the services.
Jenny G.
By the end of 2008, there could be an estimated 11.6 million individuals receiving disability benefits. This assumes that the estimated 2.6 million individuals applying for benefits this year are approved. The burden on taxpayers is astronomical. The Social Security Administration has known about the surplus in applicants that are coming in, but I feel this is the American way of dealing with everything. Let’s wait until we are in a crisis and then we will address the issue. When FDR developed the Social Security system in 1935, I don’t think he could have predicted the impact it would have on people with disabilities. On August 1, 1956, the Social Security Act was amended to provide benefits to disabled workers aged 50-64 and disabled adult children. Since then, major amendments have been enacted. The amendments increased benefits for existing beneficiaries. As Jenny stated, unfortunately many of us know someone who is abusing the system. This is creates a burden that has to be carried by all taxpayers. Our country is facing serious economic trouble. I don’t think that most of Americans are aware of the economic trouble we are in. We do not have the money to continue to fund the SSA.
We have not had the money for many years. If some of us are counting on the SSA to fund our retirement, we are looking at hard times. We’re beyond broke people! There are too many people seeking assistance and not enough people paying into it.
Rosie G
I think it is awesome to help people that really need help. The social security administration have helped a lot people, but political problems have been affecting everybody's economy. I'm agree to have more judges so people can be helped faster, but there has to be a new agreement or a change so our economy can be stable.
Claudia P.
The backlog in SSA backlog and the delay in money for applicants who desperately need the small amount of money paid through SSI and SSDI is a direct result of the "no new taxes" pledge each candidate takes every four years we have a presidential election. The Social Security administration is woefully underfunded, and has a fraction of the workers necesary to handle the backlock. I am a lawyer, and have represented SSA clients for more than 20 years, mostly in Harris County. I do not have much experience in the valley, but can give some information about Houston.
Delays in Houston are a MINIMUM of two years, often more. I have helped clients file applications, and have gotten no responses for follow up requests made on these applications. There is little sense in which cases are handled quickly and which disappear. When cases take a long time, clients wonder why I can't get them expedited. I tell them the bureaucracy is hardly impressed by an attorney's letter, but sometimes will be jogged into action by a congressional inquiry. A letter from a congressman doesn't really get quicker action, but sometimes can get a bureaucrat to find a file that has been lost.
Cases are evaluated initially by the state bureaucracy. I believe they are encouraged to deny applications if possible. They go on to federal bureaucracy. In each case career paths for bureaucrats that approve too many applications are harmed. Once denied twice, the case goes before a administrative law judge. Success there depends upon having a good attorney, and the luck of the draw. I have seen statistics that say your chances of getting disability are about one in four if you do not have an attorney, and one in two if you do. However, some Judges are more generous, and others positively miserly. Some Judges approve a very small amount of cases, because of personal ideology or prejudices. Some Judge do not like middle aged women with heart problems, diabetes, and other combinations of disabling conditions. Some think that applicants are lazy and spend their time watching TV and eating.
This area of law is a classic example of people without power asking the bureaucracy for help. The amount of money they are applying for will hardly meet their monthly expenses. While they wait, they have to depend upon help from family and friends.
I do not expect this to get any better for applicants any time in the near future
DavidW
SSDI is not a welfare program. It is an insurance program, with people getting disability based upon their contributions into the system. In 20 years I can count on the finger of one hand the people I think of who I didn't think were entitled to be paid. I can give you many more examples of people who have suffered for years, waiting for payment. I can tell you heartbreaking examples of people who are in terrible pain, trying to work from home because they do not want to receive disability, or because they cannot survive on the amounts paid for SSDI or SSI, and being denied disability because the Judge is keeping his approval rate low.
I am not disagreeing with Rosey so much as saying that the list of people who are cheating the system is very small in comparison to deserving applicants who are being cheated by the system
DavidW
Even though they are taking a long time to answer claims well we must understand that they are actually doing something to solve the problem, because it is not easy there are a lot of cases and they can only deal with so many at a time. Hopefully they can find another strategy that can speed the process up a little in the future, maybe better planning.
Brandon R.
I believe the Government should of have this under control and not have any person waiting. I think its dumb that people with disabilities have to wait 2 years in some regions of the country.
Ediel B
David, I understand SSDI is not a welfare systme, but it is underfunded and even if you can only count on one hand the number of people that should not have been receiving benefits, it is still abues. There are five people who may have been denied benefits due to the ones who should not have received them to begin with. If you count five more people in Hidalgo County, Travis County, etc., the financial cost starts to add up and thus contribute to the problem. Massive reform is needed and attorney's such as yourself, who are trying to help those individuals falling through the bureaucratic cracks.
It becomes perceivable that Congress has had minimal concerns to the problems of backlogging through out the years. Claim wait times have increased to more than 2 years doubling since the year 2000. Congress doesn’t seem to be too concerned with the problems faced by Americans with Disabilities. If you’re above a certain age and waiting for your Social Security Disability claim to come through, 2 years might be too many to be waiting around for. It is amazing how Congress devotes its time to dealing with issues related to Congressional meetings. And the level of importance to Congress of the types of issues they chose to address. This past summer, I spent a few days watching Congressional hearing on the use of steroids in baseball. The alleged steroid user was Roger Clements, a pitcher for the New York Yankees. They spent a few days trying to figure out whether or not he used performance enhancing drugs over 10 years ago. After reading article, it’s no wonder why there is such a huge backlog on Social Security Disability Claims. Congress has no interest in dealing with real issues that Americans with Disabilities face. Juan N. 6 of 12
The SSA, is probabably the biggest issue the government has. I can understand why there is so much problems and misunderstandings. You never know who being truthful, or not. I have my own experence in hand. My mother has severe Schizophrenia, and has been diagnosed with severe bi-polar, till this day i can rememeber the burden and the struggles that my mother has gone through. And i do know that my mother has been applying for SS forthe past SIX YEARS, she needs help and she has been declined service. All i know is that my mother since she came to this country in the search for life, libery and the pursuit of HAPPYNESS, has been struggling most of her life with mental illnes. even then and now she is a hard worker. I can rememebr her working mornings, nights, allday just to get us through the days. i dont remember a day were my mother complained about working. And now that she needs services because she can't even get a goodnights sleep, she gets declined everytime. My mother every year reapplies and get a declined letter. Let me tell you she even almost committed suicide. You think she doesnt need help. now she is working at Burger King trying to make it through. I love my mother dearly and i know she has gone through alot of trauma but she never comlpains and you know what she tells me "mija if the govenment isnt giving it to me its because they are giving it to someone that needs it more," now i hope that my mother is right. I do understand that its hard for the government to decide who gets the services or not. I wouldnt want to be in their shoes. But i am agree with David, we need to stop voting against "new Taxes" I preferre everybody get the same sevices even if its cuts my paycheck. As long as i know that everybody get the equal opportunity to LIVE.
CARMEN G.
This is one topic that totally disgusts me. Both my parents worked for many years and put their share into the system, like many others. Unfortunately, it has not happened like that. My father passed 3 years after he retired, my mother still lives. As of today, she has not been able to collect a single dime from his SS. There's no "Widow's Pension" for her. According to SSA, she can live "comfortably" on her own SS check. Here is a household that for 50+ years has been operating on two incomes, suddenly, there is only 1 income coming, still SSA says it's gonna be okay. You will live "comfortably" with just 1 income. Sure. Meanwhile, my brother-in-law, God rest his soul. Worked for about 10 years out of his entire life - files SSDI on a "dislocated shoulder", and qualifies. It gets better...not only does he get a check, so do his dependents! I tell you, it's a slap in the face!!
Norfy G.
The back log in cases is related to not enough staffing in the system to handle the increase in cases. The increase in case loads is not necessarily related to the aging of the American population. It is however, related to the baby boom population from the simple fact of the hugh number of people in the baby boomer demographic. This group has had an influence on all sectors of the economey from the genisis in 1946. So yes, it is poor planning on the part of the SSA to not have requested and sought funding for additional personnel. Some conspiriacy therorists might say that the SSA has done this on purpose as a gate keeping method to hold down costs. I think that to not be the case. Career bureaucrats usually look to expand their programs and their agency inorder to ensure their longivity. Clearly there is a need for additional personnel and perhaps consideration of new technologies to speed the review and initial determinations of SSDI cases. Russell a 7 of 12
Social Security Backlog
I think the biggest problem here is procrastination. It should come as no shock that the day would come when the first wave of baby boomers will retire. A better system should have already been intact in preparation for this. Solution? The baby boomers should apply for benefits two years before their retirement age and that way their benefits will automatically kick in. Other solutions? People with the most debilitating disabilities should automatically qualify for disability benefits with the responsibility being on the physicians that verify the disability. If the SSA has questions concerning fraud then physicians should be consulted and held accountable. More solutions? The next group applying for disability benefits need to be screened more carefully and automatically qualify. If fraud is found, the person and/or physicians committing the fraud will be required to pay back the benefits in full along with other penalties and fines. Finally, the work load of qualifying applicants should be spread out to other government agencies. Delegate the work load to the IRS or Welfare offices for screening out applicants. In our age of technology, software should already be intact to automatically qualify or disqualify applicants much the same way the Welfare office screens out their applicants. Finally, delegate the backlog of appeals to local judges.
Blog 5 Diana F.
Response
I agree with Cameron’s comment that SSA should have been preparing in advance for the retirement of the baby boomers. These baby boomers have been working all their lives paying social security benefits to the previous generation so it’s their to collect what is rightfully theirs. As Cameron said, they will have a serious backlog if they don’t get it under control now.
Diana F.
Malingering! that's what I'm talking about! Don't be naive, idealistic or whatever. It's happening and it's a problem. I feel for Norfy, Carmen and all those other people who truly deserve benefits and are denied. There is abuse, we all pay for it, in one way or another and the system is broke!
Social Security Administration should have prepared in advanced for everything. I know even to get a social security card it takes 2-3 hours just to get to the window. Still, it takes 14 days to receive it in the mail. The Social Security Administration is probably also feeling the economy downfall. The increase in the baby boomer applications and hiring more personnel could also hurt our economy. Waiting two years for claim decisions can be very hectic for the people involved in the claim. They will not be able to pay their bills if they can not work to earn a living. Angie K.
I believe the government needs to step up and be more in control of the way it runs itself. If these people are in need of these funds and we are taking forever to respond back to them how are they supposed to make their living. We as a government should not leave anyperson to suffer. We are a country united and should be there for our people especially those in need of assistance or a better way to live. We are united as one so lets help each other live as one.
Arturo D
Its not a surprise the baby are the largest population, but its scary because the U.S is already in debt thanks to our marvelous president in financing a war that was all staged by the government. I cant imagine what the people with disabilities that really need it are going thru; their children like in Noble's case. What is also sad are the many people who fake their disability in order to get money without working. Just like in foodstamps and housing the many that aren't even born in this country get a whole lot of benefits and abuse the system; which make it harder for people who are honest and get screwed over. I hope the U.S. can get themselves together and help those in need.
Crystal o.
In response to DavidW - i agree with what you have to say "that the list of people who are cheating the system is very small in comparison to deserving applicants who are being cheated by the system" he pretty much hit it on the nail as well as when he said that its an insurance program for those who have contributed not a welfare program.
Crystal o.
Hine sight is 20/20, and as stated in class to jump from a baby bomer, to a population which is less then half that, then now with a new war, a new baby boomer generation to hit, it makes seanse that to have a system set in which has served possibly two generations would be hard to overhauled. There is not only the need for restructuring, but the need to appropriatest a bigger budget for the job surplus in which it would create. There is also the integration of new tech to speed along the older paper document form of governmental regulations, and the need to security t be implementation at all times, less we not forget that due to lack security and improper use of tech and personal computers a hard drive with thousands of people's personal information and SS#'s were stolen from a home computer of a VA worker who was trying to catch up on back work at home when his personal computer was hacked from an outside source.
Hine sight is 20/20, and as stated in class to jump from a baby bomer, to a population which is less then half that, then now with a new war, a new baby boomer generation to hit, it makes seanse that to have a system set in which has served possibly two generations would be hard to overhauled. There is not only the need for restructuring, but the need to appropriatest a bigger budget for the job surplus in which it would create. There is also the integration of new tech to speed along the older paper document form of governmental regulations, and the need to security t be implementation at all times, less we not forget that due to lack security and improper use of tech and personal computers a hard drive with thousands of people's personal information and SS#'s were stolen from a home computer of a VA worker who was trying to catch up on back work at home when his personal computer was hacked from an outside source.
Christopher W.
8/12
*reposting forgot to include my name...
The Social Security Administration should be more aware of events to be likely to happen in the future. The same way baby-boomers once seeked and had trouble finding a job because of lack of employment is the same way they are all going to need medical care in their eleder years. We should be concerned about money to take care of their expenses.
Diana Bernal
The Social Security Administration is a government office run by people. The government is blamed for many things, but people are the problem. We are the problem. There Disability backlog is only one example of the many problems that are caused because "We the people" who see injustices, discrepencies, and dishonesty, and we look the other way, let it go, and don't speak out. There are many people getting jobs in government and business offices, not because of "what" they know, but because of "who" they know (or are related to). Once these people get situated in their offices they are given responsibilities and authority to make decisions and they abuse this power. It does not just occur in the Social Security Administration, but in many other offices. I worked for the Navy on several bases in California and I remember several things. In government it was understood that you "Hurry up and wait" to get things done. Also, there was the "public price" for materials and the "government price" for the same materials. Then I had another experience more recently where I had to visit the license bureau FIVE times before I was able to get a Texas driver's license because the ladies that worked in the office were "IN CHARGE" and could choose to help or harrass whomever they wanted to and all I was at their mercy until the process was completed. They believe that because they work in a government office they are protected from harrassment charges. What they did not realize is that I know people in high places and have documented and reported their behavior towards me and other people I observed while they had me waiting.
We cannot allow ignorant, dishonest people to take control. We need to speak out when we see discrepencies and injustices against ourselves and others. We cannot change what has happened in the past, but we can take control and speak out to make changes in the future. Complaining about the lack of planning on the government's part will not bring about change, but planning and voting and involvement on our part will bring about change for ourselves and those we serve.
Sylvia S.
The Social security administration should of seen this coming. After the wars our we had the baby boomers who eventually were going to get old and disabled or retire. I think SSA needs to continue to hire or offer better pay to SSA employees to assist with the high amount of individuals applying for SS benefits. We have our baby boomers but we also have a lot more individuals being born with disabilities and parents are applying for SSI benefits as well. I really feel the wait for SS determination is getting out of hand and SSA needs to Identify a way to speed up the determination process. I do feel that SS will probably be wiped out in the future which is why I feel it is a good idea for organization to do way with paying SS taxes. School districts are not paying SS taxes and setting up employees with their own retirement plans. I think this is the future and organization should not sit and wait around for SS to fall.
Emede R
In my opinion I feel the Social Security system is very flawed. I feel sorry for the congressional House for the reason that they are faced with backlog of Social Security Disability cases. I feel there should be more days allocated towards this particular concern. I feel that more issues are arising in regards to Social Security on a day to day basis. I also feel if nothing is done soon to help fix some of the issues arising more dilemmas are going arise. As proof in the article that “decision wait time has now doubled since 2000” I do feel the government is trying to decrease the number of backlogs by using several different tactics. However, I personally feel if the tactic is not working it won’t work in a year or two; therefore, new tactics need to be initiated as soon as complications arise to help eliminate any more dilemmas.
Caleb B.
I do believe that the SSA didn't prepare for today's economy at all, and it goes to affect all kinds of people. I think many can agree that people with disablities, whether they were born with one, or diagnosed with one for some other cause, for example wars, aren't getting the benefits they deserve. They have always struggled. However i do agree that some people cheat the system, but in every kind of issue that offers money and help you will find people to cheat the system one way or another..and that's just life!
Sabrina D.
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