Hearing on Social Security Disability Programs' Challenges and Opportunities

June 20, 2002

Good morning.  Today the Subcommittee will continue our examination of the challenges and opportunities faced by Social Security’s two disability programs – Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.   

Last week we examined the disability determination and appeals process.  Today, we will focus in-depth on the disability appeals decisions made by federal Administrative Law Judges, the Appeals Council, and federal District Courts.  We will hear from stakeholder groups who can provide their perspectives on the major issues their constituents face, as well as their recommendations for change. 

Americans that apply for disability benefits, and those who appeal the agency’s decision, expect to receive accurate, fair decisions within a reasonable amount of time.  This isn’t happening now. 

Individuals with disabilities who pursue disability benefits for themselves and their families by appealing an unfavorable decision face unconscionable delays.  On average, according to the Commissioner of Social Security, wait time from initial application to decision from an Administrative Law Judge averages 495 days.  Add appeals through the courts plus processing time and the average is nearly three years.  Worse yet, this broken system has persisted for years, with little improvement. 

Individuals with disabilities face tremendous obstacles every day – the enormously frustrating process of applying for and obtaining Social Security benefits shouldn’t contribute to their challenges.  Changes must be made to improve this process to ensure that Americans with disabilities and their families can depend on Social Security to provide the economic security that they deserve.