Hearing Delays Statistics Updated
Social Security has released its latest reports documenting delays in hearing offices throughout the country. The report, from the Office of the Inspector General, does not contain a comparison to last year's report but it does appear to me that there has been a slight improvement in reducing delays. In Atlanta, where I practice there has been a slight improvement from over 900 days delay to 713 day (downtown Atlanta) and 872 days (Atlanta North).
This month's NOSSCR (National Association of Social Security Claimant's Representatives) newsletter contains a story about SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue's efforts to increase the productivity of the judges and to reduce backlogs. As noted before, I applaud SSA's transition to electronic file folders and it does appear that Commissioner Astrue's efforts are beginning to pay off.
I scanned the report from the NOSSCR Forum bulletin, which you can download by clicking on the link here: ssdelays
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Comments on Hearing Delays Statistics Updated
I don't see Boise on the list… that is really depressing.
Actually, Mary, the Boise ODAR is part of the Billings office, which is #32 on the list at 405 days (slightly over 1 year). This means that a Boise claimant will have his case heard twice as fast as a claimant in Indianapolis, which has the longest delays of 887 days.
Wow! That's great. Since my application for hearing was 11/20/07, I have a chance to have a hearing date before the end of the year!
Crossing my fingers!!!!
Thanks Jonathan!
I filed my appeal in Dec 07,in Atlanta it look's like I'll be living on the street by the time they contact me!
When you say there are 872 waiting days, do you count that from the time first applied for SSD or 872 waiting days from the 2nd denial until you are finally scheduled for a hearing date?
I request a hearing in Dec 2007. I call The Office of ODAR to found out status of my claim. They informed me they received my Request for a hearing with the ALJ on 1 Jan 2008. They stated my claim have not been review yet before it is assigned to ALJ.Can you please explained what do that meant or who is review the claim. Can you explain the steps at the time in point. What is going on i am loss.How long do it take before they finished review and how long after that before i actually get a hearing. Please Response back so i can get a lawyer to help me. Please
Nelson, when you file your appeal requesting a hearing, your file will be moved from the State Agency office to the federal Office of Disability and Review (ODAR). This process can take several months. Then, when it is received at the ODAR, someone there has to organize the file and get it ready for a judge's review. In the days of paper files, the file was said to be in "workup." That process can also take several months. Once worked up, the file goes into a queue to be assigned to a judge for a hearing. Given the volume of files that most ODARs are dealing with, you may end up waiting two years or longer before a hearing is scheduled on your request.