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Lost in Social Security Hell
According to a ARRP Bulletin the Social Security Administration (SSA) faces a record backlog of disability cases. With some 750,000 people waiting - some for years- for a hearing. People have died waiting for a hearing and have waited years for a final decision on their claim and this is not acceptable according to Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue.
Despite a growing aging population and caseload, the SSA hasn't been able to afford to add workers. Congress has consistently cut the SSA's budget requests since 2001. Staffing is at its lowest levels in 34 years. Disability hearings on claims has a waiting period averaging 520 days. Because disability cases can be complex and the medical and work records extensive, two out of three who apply for benefits each year are initially rejected. On appeal, 60% of cases are approved by an administrative law judge. At the hearing stage about 50% of people retain an attorney. Do you qualify for disability benefits because of your Hepatitis C disease?
It is predicted that the SSA's appropriation for 2008 will fall short of the recommended (430 million dollars) to 120-125 million. With this smaller increase which would be spread across the entire agency, limited resources would be available to elevate the over burden SSA and its backlog of claims yet to be heard.
Advocates say too many compelling disability cases are rejected out of hand, and that SSA needs to design a better screening process as well as add more judges. Commissioner Astrue plans to improve the process by creating a list of diseases and conditions that should be allowed on diagnosis alone, such as acute leukemia.
Join us for the 6th Annual Hogs Against Hep Benefit Poker Run. Registration & 1st stop 11:00 -noon Sunday, June 29th, Bar One 45 Ulmerton Road., Clearwater. Last stop 4:00 American Legion Post 7 Clearwater. Music by Rockus (Rockusband.com). Food, Raffles, Live Auction, 50/50 Drawing. For more information please contact Cindy at runyonc2001@yahoo.com or call 727-535-1498.