Hiring More Judges Not Enough to End Social Security Disability Backlog
As part of its ongoing reporting on the horrendous backlogs facing people who apply for Social Security disability benefits, The Charlotte Observer writes:
"A Freedom of Information Act request, federal reports and interviews showed the Carolinas had about 48,500 pending disability cases, including about 8,700 in the Charlotte area. Waits at Charlotte's Disability and Adjudication and Hearing Office ranked among the worst -- 125 out of 141 offices in the nation.
The reason: Charlotte administrative law judges, on average, decided 375 cases in 2006. The Social Security Administration asks judges to make 500 to 600 decisions a year.
Though officials tried to remove reporters from the hearing office, the Observer spent more than 40 hours monitoring workers. At any given time, half of the six courtrooms were not in use.
Judges blamed the problems on staffing. The Social Security Administration has since announced it is hiring more judges to reduce delays. "
But hiring more judges isn't the solution for ending the Social Security disability backlog. As Paul M. Goodson, a colleague who practices in Charlotte, pointed out, the judges can't hear more cases unless the Social Security Administration also hires more staff to assist them.
The inefficiency runs through the entire Social Security system. The blame can't be laid solely at the feet of the judges.
While the backlogs are outrageous - I practice in Atlanta, which has backlogs approaching 3 years - I do see the light at the end of the tunnel. SSA is moving towards electronic files, meaning that we get CD's instead of 3 inch thick paper files. Also, SSA is using video equipment to schedule hearings with out of state judges. While I'd rather have a judge live and in person, anything is better than waiting 3 years. I have railed against the delays for years - at least SSA is now trying to do something positive.
Jonathan Ginsberg
Ginsberg Law Offices
Atlanta, GA