Disability Claims Backlog, Other Issues Raised in House Hearing

March 15, 2008

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WASHINGTON DC – House Ways and Means subcommittee members have found

the chance to ask the Social Security Administration (SSA) about the

status of the disability backlogs and other significant issues during

the hearing's question-and-answer session last January 16.

Subcommittee members took turns asking Rust, SSA acting deputy

commissioner of the Office of Disability and Income Security

Programs, on various issues besetting the agency including the

problem on the proposed rules on the appeals process and on SSA

funding.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) expressed concern about the backlog, and

noted that the proposed rules change in the appeals process would

only make the process more difficult and further discourage people to

make appeals. Pomeroy, however, urged the agency to proceed slowly

with the proposed rule.

On the other hand, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Rep. Xavier

Becerra (D-CA) also held similar views on the proposed change.

About two-thirds of the estimated 2.5 million disability applicants

are often turned down by state agencies at the initial stage. Many of

them give up after this or after the reconsideration stage. Data

showed that backlogs in disability claims are caused by some 575,000

applicants who had continued to go on with the appeals process.

As a result, the growing delays in the appeal process over the last

decade due in part from litigation and financing shortages was

further complicated by the lack of new administrative law judges. In

addition, the number of applications is rising as baby boomers reach

their 50s and 60s.

Meanwhile, the Social Security administration has pledged to speed up

decisions on the backlog cases. As initial step, the agency said, it

had already taken measures for quicker approval for those who are

clearly eligible for the benefits. The agency added that it has also

increased the number of hearings by video.

The agency however insisted that it will need more funds to address

the shortage of administrative law judge to hear appeals cases. The

agency needs at least $100 million extra fund on top of the $9

million promised by the President to raise the number of judges to

1,200.

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