To reduce costs and wait times associated with the slow processing of Social Security Disability claims, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has established a set of goals to create a more efficient system.
An SSA press release explained that the agency would first attempt to bump the number of claims employees initially processed throughout the remainder of the year to more than 1.1 million. Employees also aim to minimize the initial processing time on a claim to an average of less than 137 days.
Officials also hope to increase the number of hearing requests scheduled throughout the rest of the year from last year’s goal of 875,000 claims to 960,000 cases being heard. They also plan to cut the wait time following a hearing being scheduled to the time a decision is reached by a total of 51 days.
The agency has also asked employees to slash the cases awaiting a hearing with the Appeals Council to less than 19 percent of all claims.
The performance measures will be re-evaluated for success towards the end of the year.
Newlin Disability and their team of Social Security Disability Lawyers know how frustrating awaiting a decision on a disability claim can be. The firm suggests discussing your case with a qualified attorney before filing a claim.
