WASHINGTON, DC— Multiple factors, including the ongoing economic recession and the growing number of baby boomers who are aging and acquiring disabilities, drive a surge in Social Security disability claim applications. The Center for Active Seniors reports an up tick in inquiries from 50 to 60-year-old workers who are reaching retirement, been injured at work, and who have been laid off without health insurance.
SSA estimates it will receive 3.3 million new disability claims in the next 12 months. But will SSA be able to handle the new cases while still dealing with the unprecedented number of backlogged cases? Some officials and pundits think not, especially since California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio, Oregon, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, and Wisconsin have initiated furloughs of employees responsible for processing initial disability claims.
In the last six months, the number of people waiting to have their claim processed rose to just under 750, 000. The trend “…isn’t good”, says SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue. According to the Associated Press, “The disability program has been the fastest rising part of Social Security, with spending on disability benefits growing at almost twice the rate of spending on retirement benefits.”
SOURCES:
Social Security Claims Surge during Recession
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5guw84_hAq02tLZCuigFPyIZg_rKwD99PIG780 Social Security Disability Claims on the Rise
http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10828239&nav=menu83_2
Long Disability Backlog Getting Worse
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/I-Team-Long-Disability-Backlog-Getting-Worse/aQwDWUG8_0Wt6dZ2EhSBtw.cspx
Boomers Push up Disability Claims
http://www.examiner.com/x-654-Baby-Boomer-Examiner~y2009m7d31-Boomers-push-up-disability-claims
RELATED:
The Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov/
18 comments:
This is a pretty scary article in the sense that it brings a reality check with it. There is always a preconceived notion that our government will take care of us as citizens should we ever get injured and not be able to work. So when I read articles like this one, it makes me fear that one day there may not even be services available to anyone due to the high cost of benefits to individuals. I would like to see a plan to deal with this issue by our current government since the problem is projected to become worse as time passes.
-Anna Lee Ocanas
REHS Foundations -Online
That sux for all those people waiting to get there claimed just processed. We all knew that this was going to happen sooner or later, the SSA is running out of money..!!!
This administration in my opinion is bring this country down. Obama wants healthcare for all, but it is affecting our elderle. The backlogging is going to affect those who really need it right now. I know they can get the funding so why not hire more workers to bring up the caseload. Rebecca Griffith
This article was pretty interesting, but I would have to say that I feel bad for the people being put in the waiting list. Even people who are expected to get SSI are in the same boat. I have some clients that get frustrated because they have been waiting for about 5 months to get their benefits. There are some that I have, that have a disability, and they too have to wait for such a long period of time. Its sad to hear whats going on,but that's reality.
-Alina L. REHS 6300
It is astonishing to me when I read about articles such as this one. It's nothing new I've heard in the news that this type of thing would eventually happen so it comes to no surprise to me. It just upsets me to see that more is not being done about the matter!
-Anabel Ponce
REHS 6300
Wow! “3.3 million” New disability claims in the next 12 months. Can SSA handle this amount of disability claims? Do they have the funds to cover this amount of claims? This is kind of scary and I would not want to be on that waiting list... I think a new plan needs to be implemented, because this seems like SSA is going downhill. Is there going to be anything left for my generation?
Although this is reality, the older generation definelty needs to be taken care of despite of and factors...something needs to be done and fast.
I find this article very interesting that 3.3 million new disability claims will be occurring in the next 12 months. I really don’t see how funding will be there to support all this claims if the claims are approved. I ready in an article ones written by an economist that the Social Security would run out of funds to support within the next 10 to 12 years. I always thought that would not be possible, but with this kind of rate happening, I can truly say that it seems like a good possibility. I can truly say that by the time I’m old enough to calm a SSA Check, there will be no funds there, if this kind of rates continue. I can total agree with the comment made by the SSA commissioner that this trend is not good at all. This trend should really not come as a surprise to me or to anyone considering that all the baby boomers are retiring or soon to retire, this means that there will be more spending by the SSA to support benefits than the money that is being put into it.
Juan Leija
I agree with this article beieng scary. It seems like the economy is never going to get better. It is sad to know that some of these individuals are not goinjg to get help that is needed for quite some time. Not only that but, that some might not even get any support at all, if funds are not available.
This was a difficult article to read. It's rather scary to think that the SSA is struggling to keep their head above water. When I worked with my previous employer, I proctored psychological assessments (intelligence, academic, and personality tests) and over the course of the 3 years I was there, I saw a decrease in the monies that DDS and DARS would pay for such services (ie., psychological evaluations). I don’t agree that this administration is sending the SSA down the drain; I think it’s had help. I was watching a documentary on HBO which showed newspaper articles from several years ago which spoke about how legislation lifted laws on mortgage lenders and how they thought that was going to make everything better for everyone. http://www.hbo.com/docs/docuseries/yesmen/. The Clinton administration left a lot of leaves unturned and the person who was blamed was President Bush. The SSA is feeling the pinch right now not only due to prior administrations but due to the Baby Boomers, as well.
Elizabeth C.P.
It is sad that the SSA is not taking care of people needs and people are waiting. Healtcare is so expience and Americans are believing that its going to happen to them and get thier benifits and it is not going to happen. I am afaird of my future because Iam not a healty person and of course it is going to be worse in the future hopefully things get better.
I think that more than anything this is a sad reality that we are facing. More than 3.3 disability claims and the SSA dismissing worker. I can certainly say that the future does not look good for my generation. What about our future healthcare? I personally see how some individuals survive off of SSI and SSDI. Without this help, many of them would deteriorate. The road for this process is long and some of my clients have had to wait a very long time to recieve the necessary help from the SSA. It makes you wonder about your future and how the government is handling the whole situation.
-Claraly Pena
REHS 6300
I totally agree with you, Anna. Scary, is the word to describe the feelings evoked after having read this article. What has caused this? How can we fix it? Can we fix it? This is such a mind-boggling dilemma. I know people who rely on the funds provided by SSA and to think that this service is facing such turmoil really frightens me. Our government has so much on their plate. It is just my hope that this will be solved in a timely manner and reviewed with much consideration for all the parties involved.
Maggie Ybarra
REHS 6300
This is a wake up call for all of us. There have been rumors that by the time people my age (25) get older that there will not be any SSI left for us. With all the problems our country has been having with finances, why doesnt someone take a look at what is desperately needed and make those changes already! The important things should be health care in all the aspects of health care. Its kind of upsetting to me that when Obama was running for Presidency, all he kept saying was...for the people...for the working people. Well I havent seen anything happen yet. We all seem to keep waiting and waiting but nothing on health care seems to be getting better. Also, there are a lot of claims that go through that are not correct or people abusing the system. Those kinds of things should be looked at closer so that that money could be used for people that actually do need it. When I was an intern at a state office, I saw abuse from people all the time. People that were claiming their children had special needs to receive help when the children was a normal child. This enrages me but it happens.
Aissa S
This is old news that is just being reiterated. It used to be for every 1 person that was about to receive a SS check, 3 employees paid for it through taxes. Now with all of the baby boomers retiring and the recession, it is maybe 1 employee for every one person receiving SSA. The funds are running out and the limited number of personnel is atrocious. We need some type of bailout program for SSA, hire more staff and get the help the elderly deserve. They contributed their fair share and now it is time that they benefit from their hard work!
Jeanette G.
this is bad for processing time and adds to the that there will be a time when there will not be important services like this one and that is a scary thought
-Pete CastanedaIII
REHS 6300
SSA there is nothing more to say but that the government has misused the money and has not kept track as they should. SSA will be extinct by the time we are in our 50's. Something needs to be done to cover our fellow americans!
/gabby
Not a good mixture of a failing economy and baby boomers on the rise to their local Social Security offices. But, we have seen this problem coming and now it’s here. Then to hear that states are cutting back employees…what are they doing? Knowing their already behind is even more mind-boggling. But to think of those who have to wait for so long and depend on it for their income is worse. Interesting to see what is left of Social Security after the tsunami of Baby Boomers goes through…
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