| Disability Benefits Help

SSA Reports Hearings Backlog Down for the First Time in Decades

Submitted by Chris on Sun, 11/29/2009 - 21:25

On September 30, 2009, Michel Astrue, commissioner the of Social Security Administration, announced a decline in the number of pending Social Security hearings. This announcement marked the first decline of hearings since 1999. Unfortunately, Social Security still has 722,822 pending hearings. In 2009, to further reduce the amount of pending Social Security Hearings the SSA hired 147 Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and plans to hire 226 more ALJs in 2010.

Denied Social Security

Were You Denied Social Security Disability Benefits?

Unfortunately, most initial applications for disability benefits are denied by the SSA. There are several reasons for disability denials.

Ultimately, regardless of how strong your case is, disability denials boil down to the fact that the SSA has a backlog of applicants, and the criteria for disability approval is hard to meet.

About SSI

What Is Supplemental Security Income?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal assistance program designed to provide income to aged, blind, or disabled people who have limited assets with which to support themselves.

The SSI program is managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), but financed by the general tax fund. Because the program is not financed by Social Security taxes, there are no work requirements necessary to qualify for SSI.

Subscribe to

Find Out If I Qualify for Benefits!