We’ve already discussed the problems with the backlog of benefits for social security disability claim cases in the Social Security Administration. Recently, there’s been some news about social security disability claim cases. Here’s an update:
Last week, Florida Congressperson Kathy Castor, who serves the Tampa area, proposed legislation which will help ease the backlog of social security claim cases and reduce the amount of time claimants must wait before receiving a decision on their social security disability claim case. The bill will require that a hearing must be held within 75 days from the time a social security disability claim appeal is requested. And perhaps more helpful, the legislation demands that a decision must be given within 15 days of the hearing.
Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue recently admitted to Congress that problems exist with the speedy delivery of benefit decisions, and progress has been slow and hindered. In certain areas with large backlogs of social security disability claim cases, administrative law judges and staff have been hired. But in most areas, there has been little progress.
Astrue also told Congress the Social Security Agency has begun using a fast-track method that will hopefully decide benefit requests in social security disability claim cases within a week, but only a small amount of claim cases have been processed using this new system.
The SSA has tried other new methods in hopes of speeding up the response time to social security disability claim cases. Video conferencing has been tried, and a new program called “compassionate allowances” is also being tested for effectiveness and efficiency. The compassionate allowances are cases where it is very easy to determine that the claimant is disabled.
And while these new developments may be too optimistic for the response time in social security disability claim cases, it’s still too early to declare that these new projects and programs will be effective in getting claimants their benefits within a reasonable time.
October 10, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I think this is a great first step into making sure all those who are eligible receive their Social Security disability claims. Getting this legislation passed, however, is a whole different story.