Processing Time for Omaha Hearing Office - 631 days

At the 3rd level of appeal in a Social Security Disability case, there is an ALJ Hearing. This article concerns the processing time after the hearing is requested. In other words, the first two denials don't count.

In Omaha, the time it takes to process a case is 631 days. There are 149 hearing offices like Omaha around the country. We currently rank 127th. These numbers reflect information from SSA through 02/27/2009 and obtained by NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security
Claimants' Representatives).

We have five (5) ALJ's and and an excellent hard-working staff that supports them, but the volume of work obviously is more than can be expeditiously handled. Let's hope that with the increased money SSA received from the stimulus package, more staff will be added.

$250 One-Time Stimulus Payment - MORE INFO

In a previous post I listed information about the Social Security's Economic Recovery One-Time Payments to those that receive disability benefits.

If you want more information, the Social Security Administration also provides answers to 26 Frequently Asked Questions at the following link FAQ.

Exciting Times Ahead for Disability Claims

This morning I had the good fortune to attend a seminar concerning Electronic Files and Electronic Records Express. Susan Brown of the Social Security Administration spoke. I believe she is the project manager for the electronic methods we are now seeing in the Social Security Disability process.

Pending cases are now comprised of 92% electronic cases. This eliminates the problems SSA had with the paper files which were primarily "losing the file," transporting them, and damage to a paper file. Where a file was stored and retrieving it was the main problem.

One can now submit records via fax or computer if the case is electronic. The exhibit file is available on CD.

In the future, for representatives, is the ability to see the file online! These are exciting times as it will permit one to access the file and, among other things, see what is not in it.


FIT Decisions was another topic. My prediction is that private vendors will soon enter this market as SSA does not have the resources or manpower to support the technology.

$250 Checks Are Coming May 2009

The Economic Recovery Act requires SSA to make a one-time payment of $250 to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. The check should arrive in May 2009. No action is necessary to receive the payment.

If you receive your benefit by mail, a check will be mailed. If you receive your benefits by direct deposit, the $250 will be direct deposited to your account.

If you receive SSI and SSDI, you will only get one payment of $250. These payments do not count as income for tax purposes. The payments also will be sent to retirees. If a husband and wife both receive retirement benefits, each of them will receive a $250 check.

DO NOT CONTACT SSA ABOUT THIS ONE TIME PAYMENT UNLESS IT IS JUNE AND YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR PAYMENT. For more complete information on this one time payment, watch a short video.

Attorney Fee Cap Raised to $6,000

The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Michael J. Astrue (pictured here) is "increasing the maximum dollar amount limit for fee agreements ... to $6,000." The increase will be effective June 22, 2009.

This is the first time that the maximum fee has been increased in about 8 years. At that time, it was raised to $5,300. Legislation is currently pending in the House of Representatives to establish cost of living adjustments annually to the fee cap.

My current and future clients need not worry about this change. I will not be trying to change or amend existing fee agreements. Some of the newer clients have fee agreements that already spell out that the maximum is $5,300 "including any increases by statute or regulation." All future agreements will contain that language.