Social Security Disability and Claims
The total number of pending social security disability/SSI claims has reached an all-time high of 768,540. That’s bad news. Here’s more bad news :Given the economic downturn, the number of pending cases is expected to rise. SSA estimates that more than 500,000 additional disability claims will be filed over the next two years. If the recession is longer or more severe than predicted, the number of claims could rise even higher.
Congress and the Obama Administration are aware of SSA’s situation and the economic recovery bill includes several provisions to address the problem. The House bill (H.R.1), which was passed on January 28, 2009, includes $500 million to help SSA process the rise in the number of claims, help the claimants receive their benefits faster, and help stop the existing backlogs from getting worse. It also includes $400 million to modernize the computer system utilized by SSA. This will allow SSA to better process and store claims. It is projected that by 2012, SSA will surpass its capacity to electronically store agency records. Finally, the house bill allocates $4.2 billion to help the aged, blind, and disabled SSI beneficiaries by providing one additional SSI payment in 2009.
The Senate bill (S.1) includes $890 million in additional funding for SSA’s administrative budget. Of the $890 million, $750 would be for modernizing the computer system and $140 million would be for IT acquisition and research. No funding was provided to address the backlog or processing of claims. However, the Senate version did include a one-time payment of $300 for Social Security and SSI recipients.
Since the House and Senate versions are different, a conference committee will resolve the differences and both the House of Representatives and the Senate will vote on the conference committee’s version. It is hoped that a final bill will be ready for President Obama to sign by mid February.
In the meantime, don’t expect claims to be processed faster.
Please visit our website at social security FAQ to learn more about social security disability issues. To learn more about our social security disability lawyers, please read about Dory Sutker or Suja Varghese or contact Greenberg & Bederman for a free case review.
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