16 Thousand People Died Waiting For Social Security Disability Benefits

Many people are denied disability benefits at the first two levels (Application for benefits and Request for Reconsideration). The third step in the process is the Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. At this stage, most claims have the greatest chance of being approved. The problem is that the greatest delays occur at this level.

The Administration has been confronted by a significant backlog on
cases pending decision and dispositions. In FY 2007, SSA's National Hearings Average Processing Time was 512 days for all dispositions. (see SSA.gov PDF for a thorough discussions of the whys and wherefores)

SSA has come up with a plan to eliminate the backlog by 2012. Some
of the initiatives they have in place may help expedite your case,
directly or indirectly. The following website contains an explanation
of the initiatives that might fit your situation. In California,
several of the hearing offices there have reduced processing time.
Some of the offices were well over the national average. Depending on
the facts of your case, it may be able to be presented under one of
the provisions for expediting the decision.

Reference

For more information on how to win your case, please visit our website at http://ssa-disability.tripod.com or email Federal Benefits Advisory Group at www.ssadisability@hotmail.com.