Is Reconsideration really disappearing?

This month, in Region 1, Commissioner Barnhart's "revised" Social Security Disability process began (See, 71 Fed. Reg. 16424 (Mar. 31, 2006)). Region one is a four state region in the northeast part of the country. It is the smallest region, and would appear to be the "test site" for the silver bullet to cure the disability quagmire. Or, will it be yet another effort to fix the system that can be added to the list of others that didn't work.

While parts of the program are encouraging, the focus on a "quick" decision gives this attorney a chill up the spine due to the emphasis on fast rather than fair. All of my clients are tired of waiting for decisions, but all would rather wait than get a speedy unfair decision.

Technology is the keystone.

keystone

(n.)

The central wedge-shaped stone of an arch that locks its parts together.

Just as the last piece placed in the top of the arch in St. Louis, the keystone must fit and hold together the entire structure. We can only hope. Computers were supposed to save us time and make the 4-day work week the norm. Did they?

This "revised" Social Security Disability process has been dubbed DSI. Like any good government thing - it has initials. The actual name is Disability Service Improvement process. The website for DSI is: http://www.ssa.gov/disability-new-approach/

For Nebraska, the latest estimate I have heard is 2 years before the process gets here. We'll see.