Anyone who has applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or is in the process of applying knows that wait times for answers from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and state-level Disability Determination Services (DDS) can be extreme. These offices acknowledge that it takes too long for initial decisions regarding SSDI claims and, at this point, it seems nearly impossible to overcome the natural backlog that has developed.
The Path to Reduced Wait Times for SSDI Approval
SSA provides DDS offices with the resources they need to make medical determinations about each applicant and their eligibility. Unfortunately, SSA also faces significant underfunding which has left many DDS offices with fewer resources. Offices are understaffed, service levels are poor, and they are behind schedule when it comes to decision-making.
Consider the following statistics from the SSA as they explain the funding from Congress that has come in at nearly $3 billion below budget requests:
- In 2018, the SSA operating budget was 1.2% of the annual benefits it pays.
- Initial disability determinations in 2018 took an average of four months or less.
- Underfunding led to a 94% increase in pending disability claims, contributed to a processing backlog, and tripled the time it takes to answer calls on the SSA 800-number.
- Currently, the SSA budget has decreased to 0.94% of the annual benefits it pays.
- Challenges now include hiring and keeping state-level staffing.
- Disability determinations have roughly doubled to around seven to eight months.
Prioritizing Processing Times for SSDI Claims
SSA has reported that they are stretching existing resources and addressing disability processing times within legal and regulatory constraints. There is also information now available from the agency about backlogs per state. This knowledge doesn’t make it any easier to be someone waiting for word on their application, but it can help a little to know what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Teams have been deployed from the SSA to support states that need the most help.
- The national pool of medical consultants has been expanded to help with case reviews.
- The “lookback” period has been reduced from 15 to five years for applicants regarding past relevant work experience.
- The DDS office can use medical decisions from a previous SSA disability program for decision-making.
- A new platform called IMAGEN quickly analyzes a claimant’s medical records.
- Applicants with the most severe disabilities or terminal conditions are prioritized.
Hire an SSDI Attorney
Sometimes, the only elements that an applicant for SSDI can control are their own behavior and choices. Hiring an SSDI attorney to help you review, understand, and fully complete the application for disability benefits is the smartest choice you can make because this move ensures that you have the most qualified expert on your side and set yourself up for the best chance at first-time approval and no delays.
Contact Thurswell Law to support you during your SSDI claim. Schedule a consultation by calling (248) 354-2222 today. We do not charge any fees until we win.