FASTER DISABILITY HEARINGS?

I recently ran the numbers on the average waiting time to get a Social Security disability hearing.It varies by region of the country, but 14 to 15 months seems to be about the average time a claimant waits to get his claim before a judge.  In one of the local hearing offices in Alabama, where I practice, the average wait time is 442 days.


A couple of years ago, the Commissioner of Social Security assured Congress that measures were being taken to reduce the backlog and the waiting time.  While wait time has not sharply declined - we are seeing slight reductions, in spite of increased claim filings.


Among the measures the Social Security Administration is taking:  hiring several hundred additional administrative law judges, attorneys and support staff; opening new hearing offices in some over burdened regions of the country, and offering more hearings by teleconference.  I appealed a Social Security case in April and it was scheduled for hearing in July.  Less than four months!  That's by no means average but it demonstrates that Social Security is trying to relieve the log jam and, in some cases, succeeding.


Administrative law judges carry quite a work load.  Each judge settles two to three cases every day.  Even at that, some Alabama hearing offices have over 12,000 cases waiting to be heard.


There are a few circumstances where a case can be expedited - but rarely.  If you have been waiting a year or longer for your disability hearing, don't blame your representative.  He or she wants to get a hearing just as much you do.  In most cases, the attorney or representative is powerless to speed up the process.  He or she has been given a number and told to get in line.


While SSA is trying to reduce the wait time, I do not expect to see drastic reductions in the upcoming year.  I am hopeful that Social Security may now have more ability to expedite truly dire need cases when circumstances warrant that action.


Need to talk to someone about your Social Security disability claim? If you are not yet represented, please click here to go to our website.


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