Nationwide Frustration Grows Over Endless Waits for Social Security Disability Claims!
In Richmond, Virginia, and across the nation, many people are expressing frustration over the lengthy delays in processing Social Security disability claims. Individuals seeking disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) find their applications stuck in what feels like a never-ending limbo.
Tammie Tyler, a Virginian navigating the system for her disabled brother, told CBS 6’s Tyler Layne, “It’s just a waiting game now. So I’m just like, how long are we supposed to wait?” She is not alone in her frustration. People from various states are facing similar issues.
James Moore from Massachusetts expressed his frustration, saying, “Your case is pending. No updates, no nothing. It’s completely frustrating.” Jon Bailey from North Carolina echoed these sentiments, adding, “They’re delaying at every turn in every way, shape, form, and fashion possible.”
As people wait, their financial struggles are mounting. Jeffrey Silverman from Utah described his hardships, stating, “I’ve lost everything I’ve owned. I’ve lost my truck. I’ve lost my motorcycle. I have no transportation.” Lisa Harris from Virginia shared that the delays are affecting her mental health, saying, “Sometimes it’s like, what do I even wake up for? To feel miserable and know that I have nothing?”
The concerns of Richmond-area residents prompted CBS 6 to investigate further. After highlighting the stories of three men in Richmond who struggled for years to receive their benefits, the newsroom received numerous reports from claimants across the country.
Claimants were asked to share their case information and documentation. Tammie Tyler hoped that showing solidarity with others experiencing similar issues might amplify their voices. “I thought maybe if there were other people that said, ‘Hey, you’re not in the fight alone,’ that there are other people who are going through the same struggles, that maybe our voices could be heard,” she said.
Processing times for disability claims can vary depending on location. While the SSA is a federal agency, it relies on state agencies to review and process claims, leading to differences in processing times across states. SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley acknowledged that state agencies are backlogged and understaffed, a situation exacerbated by persistent underfunding from Congress.
In Virginia, data from 2023 indicated that it took an average of 228 days to determine an initial claim, slightly above the national average. This is the longest processing time ever recorded for the program. During this phase, 42% of claims were approved in Virginia.
For many applicants denied at the initial stage, the next step is to request a reconsideration, which means the same state agency reviews the claim again, potentially with additional documentation. In Virginia, reconsideration requests were approved only 17% of the time last year. The lengthy reconsideration process, which took an additional 221 days on average in Virginia, has led some advocates to call for eliminating this stage.
Lisa Harris described the mental toll of waiting for a reconsideration determination as “mentally draining, emotionally draining too.” Lowell Murray, another Virginia claimant, said his reconsideration request, which included over 800 pages of documentation, was denied within three days. “I don’t know what they looked at, if they just kept swiping to get through it or what. I’m not sure,” he said.
If reconsideration is denied, claimants can appeal to an administrative law judge. This stage often involves a more thorough review and hearing of testimony. Nationally, claims were approved 45% of the time at this stage last year.
The approval rates can vary by judge. For example, in Richmond, one judge approved claims 52% of the time, while another did so 23% of the time. In Richmond, claimants can expect to wait an additional 11 months for a hearing, with the average hearing decision taking 450 days.
If an administrative law judge’s decision is unfavorable, claimants can escalate their cases to the SSA’s appeals council review. This stage had a 1% approval rate and a 13% remand rate for further review last year. The most recent publicly available data for processing times at this stage is from 2016, showing an average of 364 days.
James Moore from Massachusetts, who took his case to the appeals council review, said he was told the process would take between 15 and 18 months. “That’s completely unacceptable on my part because I can’t afford to live that long without a job,” he said.
The final option is to sue in federal court. Nearly a quarter of appealable cases ended up in federal court last year, the highest percentage since 2010. Federal judges often send cases back to the SSA for further action, indicating possible errors or the need for new documentation. The SSA has not yet provided updated data on the percentage of cases remanded by federal judges that resulted in awards for claimants.
Overall, navigating the Social Security disability claims process can take several years, with potential impacts on health and well-being. A 2020 Congressional report highlighted that long wait times might increase the risk of declining health or death before a final benefits decision is made.
Claimants who spoke to CBS 6 felt dismissed by a system they have supported through their taxes. “It’s really disappointing because I have paid into this system my whole life. I’ve always believed in it,” Jeffrey Silverman said.
These individuals are calling on federal leaders and lawmakers to address the delays with urgency. “They need to find a sustainable measure to help people who really need the help,” Tammie Tyler said.
In response to the backlog, the SSA plans to hire 400 additional disability determination examiners nationwide, upgrade case review technology, and encourage more online assistance. The agency has also updated administrative policies to streamline services.
An SSA spokesperson informed CBS 6 that, due to privacy laws, they could not comment on individual cases but would contact each claimant directly. Following CBS 6’s investigation, at least two claimants were approved for benefits. James Moore’s claim was approved at the appeals council review stage after a year and eight months of waiting.
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Tammie Tyler’s brother’s initial claim was approved nine months later, although payments have not yet been received. Others continue to wait with uncertainty. “I don’t want to live every day thinking, how in the world are you going to make ends meet if you can’t get help?” Lisa Harris said.