It’s no secret that the Social Security Administration is overwhelmed by a growing number of Social Security Disability benefit claims that are awaiting processing. It is shocking that many cases are receiving hasty decisions from judges to get through their caseloads.
Reports from the Boston Herald indicate that 200 administrative judges are coming under fire for allegedly “rubber stamping” claims or approving claims without looking closely at the evidence provided. These actions have cost the program and taxpayers billions of dollars over the last several years.
Investigators found that one judge was responsible for approving 99 percent of the claims across his bench from 2005 to 2013. With lifetime benefits for a recipient averaging around $300,000, his actions could cost as much as $1.8 billion.
On the flip side, many legitimate Social Security Disability benefit claims are initially being denied—only to have the decision overturned later. Estimates show as many as 70 percent of claims are initially rejected, but around three-quarters of claims that go through the appeals process are later approved.
The faults of the system’s decision-making processes only highlight the need to have a qualified Social Security Disability lawyer by your side if you are considering applying for benefits or have a claim that was denied in the past. At Newlin Disability, our attorneys know how to navigate the Social Security Disability system, all while answering your questions at each step. So call us anytime to discuss what we can do for you and your Social Security Disability benefit claim.
