Call Us - We're Easy to Talk To (214) 999-9999

The Current Social Security Disability Situation: Is There Any Hope for Improvement?

This is an excerpt from an article by the National Organization for Social Security Claimants Representatives.

In July 2015, the average hearing office processing time had increased to 511 days. The record high occurred in August 2008 – 532 days. At the end of fiscal year (FY) 2014, the average processing time was 422 days and in every month of this fiscal year (FY 2015), the time has increased. With the end of the fiscal year (September 2015) closely approaching, it is entirely possible that a new record will be set by the beginning of FY 2016 in October. The ODAR National Caseload Analysis Report with statistics for FY 2015 through July is reprinted on page 12.

What happened to the efforts to decrease the average processing time, which reached a low in October 2011 (the beginning of FY 2012) of 340 days, but has been steadily climbing for nearly four years. Former Commissioner Astrue had set a goal of 270 days by the end of FY 2013, and at one time, it seemed like a possibility that the average processing time could approach such a goal.

However, our concerns about the fragility of progress in eliminating the hearings level backlog and reducing the average processing time have unfortunately been realized.

Bob Kraft

I am a Dallas, Texas lawyer who has had the privilege of helping thousands of clients since 1971 in the areas of Personal Injury law and Social Security Disability.

About This Blog

The title of this blog reflects my attitude toward those government agencies and insurance companies that routinely mistreat injured or disabled people. As a Dallas, Texas lawyer, I've spent more than 45 years trying to help those poor folk, and I have been frustrated daily by the actions of the people on the other side of their claims. (Sorry if I offended you...)

If you find this type of information interesting or helpful, please visit my law firm's main website at KraftLaw.com. You will find many more articles and links. Thank you for your time.

Find us on your preferred network