New website for SSA

Follow this link to SSA's new "look" as they have launched an upgraded version of their website. Find out how easy it is to use at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ Commissioner Michael J. Astrue referred to the site released June 16, 2008 as SSA's new public face. It certainly appears to be an improvement!

Stuck between a rock and a disability hearing

Tombstone purchased with Disability back pay after person died waiting for hearing.

Disability Cases Last Longer as Backlog Rises - New York Times

December 10 Article in New York Times about the backlog.

How Long?

I began doing disability hearings in the late 1980's. In those days, we waited about four to six months for a hearing. Acquiring a new client as they requested a hearing was good timing as it permitted time to acquire the medical records in the case, and develop the case for hearing.

This is no longer the case. Around the country the time to wait for a hearing can be two to three years after requesting the hearing. Remember, one has to go through a process and be denied twice before asking for that hearing.

I write about this today as I see the headline on the cover of the November 2007 AARP Bulletin that caught my attention:

'They Died Waiting'
Lost in Social Security Hell

The article invites readers to "tell us your disability claim story at" : www.aarp.org/bulletin/socialsec. If you are waiting or have waited for a disability hearing, I encourage you to tell your story too. You can also read the article online if you don't subscribe to AARP like I do.

I will close with two comments about this title:

1. It is the most often asked question I hear as a practitioner trying to champion the cause of the disabled. My answer: "I don't know. If I guess, history says I will be wrong and you will be disappointed. My 'guess' is something that I have no control over, not unlike the weatherman, except that he does have those satellites in space and cool maps."
2. This was the title of a song in the 70's. It was the type of lyric that got into your head and wouldn't leave. It has done that to me this morning after viewing this article.
   
1. How long has this been going on?
2. How long will this keep going on?
3. What can stop the wait from getting longer?

Hopefully, one of the presidential candidates will realize that this is a crisis.

New Form for Attorney Fees

As of January 1, 2007 ONLY those attorneys who have registered with SSA will receive direct fee payments. If you have not registered, you can do so at www.ssa.gov/representation