Steadily lengthening delays in the resolution of Social Security disability claims have left hundreds of thousands of people in a kind of purgatory, waiting as long as three years for a decision.
Two-thirds of those who appeal an initial rejection eventually win their cases.
But in the meantime, more and more people have lost their homes, declared bankruptcy or even died while awaiting an appeals hearing, say lawyers representing claimants and officials of the Social Security Administration.
The agency’s plan to hire at least 150 new appeals judges to reduce the backlog, which has soared to 755,000 from 311,000 in 2000, will require $100 million more than the president requested this year and still more in the future.
The plan has been delayed by the standoff between Congress and the White House over domestic appropriations.
Recipients must prove that because of physical or mental disabilities they are unable to do “any kind of substantial work” for at least 12 months or an illness is expected “to result in death.”
The growing delays in appeals over the last decade resulted in part from litigation and financing shortages that prevented the hiring of new administrative law judges. In addition, the number of applicants is rising as Baby Boomers reach their 50s and 60s.