Social Security Attempting to Lower Wait for Disability Hearings

Wait times for SSA disability hearings have been reduced to an average of just under a year and a half.

2011-04-07

April 07, 2011 (Press-News.org) Social Security Attempting to Lower Wait for Disability Hearings

Video Teleconferencing Helping Reduce Vast Backlog of Cases

You've been denied Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You've appealed. You wait to hear from the Social Security Administration (SSA) about when your hearing will be. Then you wait some more. And some more.

Just a few years ago, those attempting to get a hearing in front of an administrative law judge could wait over 3 years before the case was heard. While that wait time has been reduced, it can still be a lengthy process; in 2010 the average applicant finally had his or her hearing after waiting a little under a year and a half. Currently 2 million people are waiting to receive benefits from Social Security.

SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue recently said his top goal was to reduce the backlog of cases. To that end, SSA is promoting video hearings. A video hearing is identical to regular hearings, but takes place with the applicant and attorney talking to the judge through a large television screen. Everyone can see each other and everyone else in the room, such as the applicant's attorney and any expert witnesses in the room with the judge. The video hearing takes place in a nearby SSA office of the applicant, while the judge could be on the other side of the country.

Some of the benefits of video hearings for the applicant include:
-Less wait time
-Avoiding the cost and inconvenience of travel, especially beneficial for disabled persons

Preparing for the Hearing

No matter whether it is a traditional hearing in a courtroom or a video hearing, a few things can help speed up the hearing wait time and make sure that everything goes well when the day finally arrives.

It is important to contact an attorney early in the process. An attorney can prepare for the trial in advance, and will have time to gather all of the medical evidence and carefully read your file. You should attend your hearing and arrive promptly. If you can't make the hearing, it will likely be rescheduled months later assuming you have a valid excuse. Notify your attorney if you change your address or telephone number.

After a hearing, it takes about 30 to 60 days before you'll hear the judge's decision regarding your benefits.

Article provided by Michael J. Mooney and Stephen H. Olden Law Offices
Visit us at http://www.mooneyparklaw.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Are Distracted Driving Laws Saving Lives?

2011-04-07

Are Distracted Driving Laws Saving Lives? Mixed Results amid a Flurry of States Banning Texting While Driving The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been focusing a large effort on reducing the number of distracted drivers, with special focus on banning texting and handheld phone use. The campaign is in full swing, but some data suggests that recent laws banning handheld devices and texting are not solving the problem. Texting has by far received the most attention from state legislatures. Currently 30 states ban text messaging for all ...

Oddsmaker.com Announces Sponsorship of Drive To Survive ALS Benefit

2011-04-07

Oddsmaker.com has announced a sponsorship of the Drive To Survive benefit to raise support for individuals battling ALS, and to fund research into the disease. The Drive To Survive event is a benefit for Eric's Vision, a charity created by former USC football player Eric Scoggins, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2007. His first fundraising event in 2008 raised over $150,000. Oddsmaker.com joins other major sponsors such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Fox Sports Radio, and Culligan Water. The two-day event includes a celebrity dinner, held on Sunday, April 10th in Burbank, ...

Timberspan Wood Products Presenting at the Edmonton Log and Cottage Show

2011-04-07

Timberspan Wood Products will be exhibiting at the Edmonton Log and Cottage Show. This show is the largest show for log and timber builders, development companies and real estate developers in Western Canada. This show will take place at Northland Expo Centre and Timberspan Wood Products will be exhibiting at booth #503 on April 8-10, 2011 presenting the finest in Douglas Fir timbers, beams and products. Timberspan Wood Products manufactures custom Douglas Fir timbers and products in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Timberspan works with bridge builders throughout ...

2011 GRA/TAG Business Launch Competition announces Semifinalists

2011-04-07

The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) are today announcing the semifinalists for the GRA/TAG Business Launch 2011. Preliminary Application Judges have selected 11 semifinalists to compete for $50,000 in cash and over $400,000 in services. The semifinalists for this year's competition are Arrivu, Telineage, Soket, Transaxion, TripLingo, Pave Systems, Merlin Mobility, AuditMyBooks, Nexpense, Soneter, Viscid Technology. GRA/TAG Business Launch supports Georgia's burgeoning start-up community by helping local entrepreneurs launch ...

Authentic Designer Handbags Available Online

2011-04-07

Bella Bag has achieved a reputation as one of the foremost online sites offering the sale of new and pre-owned designer handbags, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and others. Whether new or gently used, each handbag or accessory is verified for its authenticity through careful inspection and analysis by an in-house staff of experts. In addition to offering bags for sale, Bella Bag also accepts consignments and trades of pre-owned designer handbags, and offers authentication services for consumers. Many consumers may be confused due to the recent market saturation ...

MidAtlantic Contracting Offers Advice On How to Choose a Roofing Contractor

2011-04-07

Choosing a roofing contractor to install a new roof or fix a leak can be a daunting task. How do you know that you can trust your roofer to do a great job, to clean up afterwards, and to charge a fair price? Often, you will hire a roofing contractor when you have a roofing emergency—your roof is leaking and you need help as soon as possible. You need to know that the person on the other end of the phone is trustworthy. Here are some things to look for when choosing your roofing contractor. What should you look for in a roofing contractor? License Licenses show ...

Florida Business, BDI Services, Revolutionizes Home Building Industry and Solves Chinese Drywall Epidemic

2011-04-07

BDI Services, Inc., the company who owns the only biochemical treatment scientifically proven to permanently neutralize toxic sulfur in Chinese drywall, announced that their company can not only offer permanent relief to millions of businesses and homeowners facing this problem, but also offer additional life-saving benefits in an environmentally safe solution. When asked why this is such a revolutionary find, Founder Kevin Libby explains, "Until now, the only processes available by other companies could only cover up or temporarily hide the toxicity of the Chinese ...

Bencardino Excavating Completes Work on Camden Water Front Technology Center

2011-04-07

Bencardino Excavating, a Bucks County, Pa. excavation company, recently completed work on the Camden Water Front Technology Center in Camden, N.J. The Bensalem, Pa. based excavation company was hired by Skanska USA Building Inc. to work on the parking lot infrastructure upgrade project at the Technology Center. The parking garage received new storm drainage, grading, curbs and paving. The project manager was Steve Borusiewicz and the foreman was Lou Biskup. The 100,000-square-foot Technology Center was created to accommodate established businesses and startups in ...

Gateway Analytical to Debut Materials Analysis Services at MRS Spring Meeting

2011-04-07

Gateway Analytical, a new quality-focused analytical testing and consulting services company, will be exhibiting its materials characterization and industrial problem-solving services at booth number 431 at the Materials Research Society (MRS) Spring Meeting and Exhibit, April 25-29, Moscone West Convention Center, San Francisco. A subsidiary of ChemImage Corporation, Gateway Analytical opened its doors for business in October last year at 4156 Kenneth Drive, Gibsonia, Pa., to expand ChemImage's contract service offerings. With a focus on quality, the company's scientists ...

O.Berk Company Looks Beyond the Numbers in Value Analysis

2011-04-07

Value Analysis is certainly a trendy topic in the packaging industry today. After all, scaled-back budgets, speed-to-market and sustainability concerns can have a profound effect on the way you go to market with a product. When considering packaging options, it's imperative that consumer package goods companies view the whole picture when it comes to value assessment and finding ways to trim costs, because the perception (success) of their brands depends on it. It doesn't do a brand any good to reduce or eliminate costs that can have a negative effect on consumers' perception ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Study unexpectedly finds living in rural, rather than urban environments in first five years of life could be a risk factor for developing type 1 diabetes