Millions of Americans live with disabilities, and for many, these disabilities hinder or completely prevent them from working.
This is where Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) becomes crucial. SSDI benefits offer financial support by providing a monthly payment to compensate for lost income.
Current Statistics and Eligibility Challenges
In 2022 alone, over 8.9 million people received disability benefits, with an additional 2 million applying each year.
To be eligible for these benefits, specific criteria must be met, and unfortunately, as many SSDI claimants can attest, the process is often lengthy.
Processing Times
As of August, the average processing time for a disability claim is over seven-and-a-half months, more than double the time it took in 2016.
If a claim is denied and an appeal is necessary, the wait can stretch to years.
Impact on Claimants
Furthermore, there is a five-month waiting period before benefits commence once disability is confirmed.
Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O’Malley has noted that the SSA’s actuary estimates about 30,000 individuals in 2023 may have died while awaiting their initial disability determination.
O’Malley Addresses Growing Backlog
O’Malley highlighted the issue: “Probably the biggest fire-breathing dragon we confront right now is the growing numbers of people applying for disability determinations.”
“Given the fact that Congress has reduced our staff to a 25-year low, there’s a huge backlog,” he told AARP.
Budget Cuts and Workforce
From 2010 to 2024, the SSA’s budget for customer service fell by 19% after adjusting for inflation, and staffing levels decreased by 11%.
The pandemic further exacerbated the situation, with Social Security offices closed for over two years, resulting in a significant loss of workforce.
Increase in Beneficiaries
Meanwhile, the number of beneficiaries has surged by 25% since 2010.
The SSA is working to address these customer service challenges by aiming to process initial disability claims within 215 days by the end of the 2025 fiscal year.
SSA’s Efforts to Improve Processing Times
This goal will be supported by hiring 400 additional disability examiners and upgrading technology.
Additionally, the SSA will encourage more online applications to allow field office staff to focus on those needing more personalized assistance.
Funding Concerns for 2024
However, 2024 funding remains a concern.
The SSA’s budget for 2024 sees only a 0.2% increase from 2023, which will merely cover the replacement of lost staff without any provision for expansion.
Lessons from the IRS
The positive impact of additional funding on IRS customer service, demonstrated by the Inflation Reduction Act, suggests that increased funding can lead to measurable improvements.
This example indicates that similar increases could benefit other areas in need of financial support.
SSA’s Plan to Simplify Disability Evaluation
In the meantime, the SSA has announced plans to simplify the disability evaluation process to reduce waiting times.
Applicants now need to provide detailed information for only the past five years of work instead of 15, and work periods of less than 30 calendar days will no longer be considered. These updates aim to streamline the application process and expedite the review by examiners.
Tips for Navigating the SSDI Application Process
If you are applying for SSDI, there are several steps you can take to avoid delays. Be as thorough as possible about your work history and medical condition, ensure you have all necessary documents, and respond promptly if the SSA requests additional information.
If you face significant delays and your condition is urgent, consider consulting a lawyer who specializes in SSDI claims.
