New York Times Article on backlog

[johnthornton]

From tomorrow's paper. Registration required to read entire article.

Many Seeking Disability From Social Security Face Big Delays
By ERIK ECKHOLM

RALEIGH, N.C. — Steadily lengthening delays in the resolution of Social Security disability claims have left hundreds of thousands of people in a kind of purgatory, now waiting as long as three years for a decision.

Two-thirds of those who appeal an initial rejection eventually win their cases.

But in the meantime, more and more people have lost their homes, declared bankruptcy or even died while awaiting an appeals hearing, say lawyers representing claimants and officials of the Social Security Administration, which administers disability benefits for those judged unable to work or who face terminal illness.

The agency’s new plan to hire at least 150 new appeals judges to whittle down the backlog, which has soared to 755,000 from 311,000 in 2000, will require $100 million more than President Bush requested this year and still more in the future. The plan has been delayed by the standoff between Congress and the White House over domestic appropriations.

www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/washington/10cnd-disability.html

[kingfisher]

johnthornton said:

From tomorrow's paper. Registration required to read entire article.

Many Seeking Disability From Social Security Face Big Delays
By ERIK ECKHOLM

RALEIGH, N.C. — Steadily lengthening delays in the resolution of Social Security disability claims have left hundreds of thousands of people in a kind of purgatory, now waiting as long as three years for a decision.

Two-thirds of those who appeal an initial rejection eventually win their cases.

But in the meantime, more and more people have lost their homes, declared bankruptcy or even died while awaiting an appeals hearing, say lawyers representing claimants and officials of the Social Security Administration, which administers disability benefits for those judged unable to work or who face terminal illness.

The agency’s new plan to hire at least 150 new appeals judges to whittle down the backlog, which has soared to 755,000 from 311,000 in 2000, will require $100 million more than President Bush requested this year and still more in the future. The plan has been delayed by the standoff between Congress and the White House over domestic appropriations.

www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/washington/10cnd-disability.html

Fascinating. Thanks for posting this tidbit.

[justbob]

Saw that article today in my local rag.
Any idea why it carries an NC by-line?
The existence of a backlog and delays isn't exactly news. Wonder what prompted this "story" at this time?

[calalj]

Based on this article, it sounds like 150 new ALJs will be but a drop in the bucket.

[testtaker]

Here's an interesting blog, regarding multiple blogs that discuss the NYT article:

www.blogrunner.com/snapshot/D/4/8/disability_cases_last_far_longer_as_backlog_rises/

[odarite]

But other than that, it is an excellent and fair editorial.

[aaa]

Patriotsfan - It failed to say the same thing about me! Another glaring omission!

[morgullord]

CBS News had a truck and crew at the Atlanta North Hearing Office today. I understand that the piece they filmed will be on the CBS Evening News w/Katie Couric but I don't know if it will be today or not. They could have done a nice human interest feature on me but I am a mushroom and did not know they were filming until it was too late.