Social Security is grappling with an exceptional backlog of more than one million disability benefits claims, sparking concerns about its severe impact on those requiring assistance.
During a recent hearing before the Ways and Means Social Security subcommittee, Linda Kerr-Davis, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Operations at the SSA, candidly acknowledged the unacceptable wait times for initial verdicts, which are now averaging seven months.
Social Security Performance Challenge
Kerr-Davis stressed that the pending levels and wait times for determinations on initial disability claims and disability reconsiderations have reached all-time highs. The average waiting period for a decision on a disability claim has extended to 220 days, surpassing the levels seen in 2019 by over 100 days. Shockingly, this exceeds the SSA’s own definition of a minimum level of performance, a standard that has not been met in over 40 years.
The backlog has profound real-world consequences, as pointed out by Representative Drew Ferguson, the chair of the subcommittee. Witnesses at the hearing shared heart-wrenching stories of individuals who suffered due to the delay in disability benefits.
David Camp, the interim CEO of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, recounted a tragic case where an applicant passed away more than two years after applying for benefits.
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Prioritizing the Vulnerable
The claimant had endured multiple denials and reconsiderations, which collectively took 645 days, with 547 of those days spent in reconsideration alone. This applicant filed for a hearing by a judge, but tragically, he did not live long enough to see his case addressed. His death underscored the devastating impact of the system’s inefficiencies.
It is disheartening to note that more than 90 percent of reconsidered findings end up being the same as the initial decision, even after months of delay.
The backlog forces applicants to go through lengthy reconsideration and, eventually, to a judge, despite the predictability of the outcomes. This protracted process is causing avoidable suffering for disabled individuals who urgently need support.
The SSA’s struggle with this backlog is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. Addressing this crisis is not only essential for the affected individuals but also to uphold the integrity and efficiency of the disability benefits system. Solutions must be found to expedite the claims process and reduce the agonizing wait times for those in dire need of assistance.
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