Post by testtaker on May 27, 2008 12:05:24 GMT -5
This is from the Buffalo News. I first heard about it on the Social Security News blog of Charles Hall. I wonder when they are going to hire those judges?
Social Security staff is enlarged
By Jessica Vosgerchian
Updated: 05/25/08 6:47 AM
In a step to alleviate the severe backlog of disability claims in Western New York, the Social Security Administration will appoint two more administrative law judges to Buffalo area hearing offices, Rep. Brian Higgins announced Friday.
The Buffalo district Social Security office is one of the most overburdened in the nation, with an average wait time of 369 days for cases to be heard, Higgins noted.
The new judges, along with additional personnel, will be hired at the Rochester satellite office, where two of the district’s 14 judges work and 40 percent of claims are filed.
After the Social Security Administration released data in March showing Buffalo’s large backlog of disability claims, Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N. Y., wrote to Social Security Administration Commissioner Michael Astrue, calling for the appointment of more judges in the district.
The new hires will reduce the time judges waste commuting back and forth between the Buffalo and Rochester offices, Higgins said.
Higgins said more must be done to lessen the strain on Buffalo- area offices.
“I’m not content with this action,” he said. “It’s wonderful news, but we’re going to keep seeking changes.”
In January, Higgins introduced the Social Security Customer Service Improvement Act, which would provide Congress with reports on the operations and staffing of Social Security offices nationwide.
Higgins said more congressional oversight is needed to ensure offices are operating efficiently and receiving the support they need.
The Social Security Administration had pledged to increase staff sizes this year to address backlogged caseloads at offices across the country. Out of 143 offices, only 19 have processing times of less than a year, Higgins added.
Social Security staff is enlarged
By Jessica Vosgerchian
Updated: 05/25/08 6:47 AM
In a step to alleviate the severe backlog of disability claims in Western New York, the Social Security Administration will appoint two more administrative law judges to Buffalo area hearing offices, Rep. Brian Higgins announced Friday.
The Buffalo district Social Security office is one of the most overburdened in the nation, with an average wait time of 369 days for cases to be heard, Higgins noted.
The new judges, along with additional personnel, will be hired at the Rochester satellite office, where two of the district’s 14 judges work and 40 percent of claims are filed.
After the Social Security Administration released data in March showing Buffalo’s large backlog of disability claims, Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N. Y., wrote to Social Security Administration Commissioner Michael Astrue, calling for the appointment of more judges in the district.
The new hires will reduce the time judges waste commuting back and forth between the Buffalo and Rochester offices, Higgins said.
Higgins said more must be done to lessen the strain on Buffalo- area offices.
“I’m not content with this action,” he said. “It’s wonderful news, but we’re going to keep seeking changes.”
In January, Higgins introduced the Social Security Customer Service Improvement Act, which would provide Congress with reports on the operations and staffing of Social Security offices nationwide.
Higgins said more congressional oversight is needed to ensure offices are operating efficiently and receiving the support they need.
The Social Security Administration had pledged to increase staff sizes this year to address backlogged caseloads at offices across the country. Out of 143 offices, only 19 have processing times of less than a year, Higgins added.