A
news article was published by Ms. Sharon Jayson, at the AARP,
on January 17, 2024. It is an excellent piece that realistically discusses the
failure of the Social Security Administration ("SSA") and the
Department of Social Services (“DSS”) to process disability cases in a timely
manner. It is the most recent piece in a slew of articles and television
stories that have been circulating about SSA's continued problems processing
claims due to staffing and budgetary issues. Here is a link to the
full article: https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/info-2024/disability-claim-wait-times.html.
Media
outlets have been particularly focused on the SSA’s processing when it comes to
collecting delinquent overpayments, which in some instances, SSA has in fact
caused by not processing the benefits properly. Anderson Cooper reported on the
overpayment issue a couple of months ago and the news story is also an accurate
portrayal of what is taking place at SSA. Here is a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIYsZw0PtlI
.
While
I find it depressing to find that SSA’s ability to process benefits effectively
and efficiently continues to decline, I applaud the media for recognizing the
newsworthiness of what is honestly beginning to look like the fall of the
Social Security Disability system.
A
Federal Agency cannot thrive without appropriate staffing and a healthy budget.
While I do not see a way that SSA can be “fixed” without a complete overall of
the system at this point, I do think the national news coverage is helping to
wake up our nation.
I
do hope the national news outfits continue to write about the decline of the Social
Security Disability system. I am really hoping that a journalist catches the
scent of the whole consultative examination circus that is taking place at SSA
and DSS currently. SSA has always used consultative examiners (“CEs”) to assess
disability. CEs are vendors, hired by DSS, and paid for by SSA, to assess claimants’
disabilities. However, CEs are no longer performing thorough evaluations. They
tend to last about 13 to 15 minutes and these CEs are almost never provided any
medical records to truly evaluate a claimant’s disability. However, SSA is not
really after an objective opinion backed by evidence. In the lion share of
cases, SSA is purchasing these examinations, simply to justify a denial. I consider the CE process to currently be the
most corrupt aspect of the SSA/DDS system and it would be eye-opening for a
national journalist to expose the whole CE process.
I thank all the journalists who are taking the time to report on the continued problems when it comes to the SSA. Keep it up and keep digging up the dirt because I promise you, there are many more stories that we as a country need to know about when it comes to the SSA system.
Got a
question that you need answered? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We
try to provide you with valuable information on our website that may help you
navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to shoot me an
email at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call us at
(800) 459-3017 x 101.
