GOOD NEWS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY APPLICANTS?

Attached to a new 1.3 trillion dollar spending bill, Congress provided a $480 million increase in Social Security's budget.  The hope is that this will reduce the backlog in disability claims, now forcing the average applicant to wait 600 days for a judge to decide if they can get disability benefits or not.

In fiscal year 2017, 10,000 people died waiting on Social Security to make a decision.  Claimants are encouraged not to work after they apply for disability--because working may cause a judge to believe the claimant is not disabled.  Therefore, many claimants go without essentials.  Many lose homes, cars, health insurance, life insurance, even their marriage.  

$100 million of the increase will target reducing the disability backlog by hiring more judges and support staff.  $280 million will go to updating information systems, allowing judges and staff to work through cases faster.

While $480 million may seem like a lot of money, advocates who work with the disabled say it's a drop in the bucket.

Social Security has gone for 10 years without any real increase in its budget.   At least, the new appropriation may keep the wait from getting longer and longer.
_____________
The Forsythe Firm
Social Security Disability Advocates
7027 Madison Pike - Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
 
Call us for a free consultation
(256) 799-0297 


Update:  2/24/20.  I am happy to report that the wait time to get a hearing in north Alabama has been greatly reduced.  We are no longer waiting 2 years for a hearing.  Often, we get scheduled in 5 to 8 months after the appeal is filed.  Good news for claimants.