We recently met with a group of ALJs to find out why the ODAR backlog was growing. Below are 4 reasons for the lengthening timeframes.
1.
The ODARS are understaffed. – The ODARs currently do not have enough
workers to handle all the cases. In fact, we were told that the ODARs were operating
at a 31% staff deficiency per volume of cases compared to the staffing
situation from a decade ago.
2.
SSA has a hiring freeze. – In spite of the growing backlog, SSA has a hiring
freeze that is further impacting the waiting times. SSA has consistently had to
deal with budget cuts that have prevented the Agency from staffing their
offices to handle the volume of cases assigned.
3.
ODARs have had to change the way that they writing decisions. – It has become
more time-consuming to write a hearing decision. The District Courts have
encouraged SSA to add more detail to their hearing decisions to make them tougher
to appeal. Thus, the ALJs have to provide more instructions to their writers
and inject more details in the decision letters to make them ironclad should an
appeal be filed.
4.
Duplicate records and last minute submissions of evidence create major
problems for the ODARs. – When attorneys or claimants submit the same materials
over and over or bombard the ALJ with sizable submissions a few days before the
hearing, it creates havoc for the ALJs and their staff. Thus, they have asked
all attorneys and claimants to avoid submitting duplicates and have prohibited
attorneys from submitting evidence for the final five business days before the hearing.
Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you
need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to
provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully
navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me
your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800)
459-3017 x 103.
