Social Security's Restricted Budget Means Fewer Workers for Disability Program

March 29, 2012

Lean times have come to the Social Security Administration (SSA), forcing the federal agency to reduce its nationwide staff by an estimated 5,000 employees over the next two years. The SSA recently reported a loss of 4,000 employees in fiscal year 2011, and expects a loss of 3,000 employees this fiscal year and 2,000 employees in FY 2013. This adds up to 9,000 lost employees at SSA and state Disability Determination Services (DDS) offices nationwide. SSA that operates separately from the retirement and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs...Applicants must be under full retirement age (age 65 or older) and can no longer work because of a severe disability (injury, illness or condition) that is expected to last for more than 12 months or is terminal. Having professional representation such as Allsup, a leading Social Security disability representation company that has helped thousands of people receive their benefits, can greatly improve your chances of a successful outcome, Stein said...Social Security disability">Social Security disability claim by creating a thoroughly developed case that is completed using the experience and knowledge of policies that SSA examiners follow. With Allsup’s help from the beginning, you can help ensure Social Security’s disability examiners have the information needed to make a well-informed decision on your claim earlier and possibly avoid the hearing altogether. This also saves you from the challenges of completing unfamiliar forms with the information and detail the government needs.

2...The ability to receive Social Security disability benefits at the initial application level can save hundreds of days of waiting for a decision. Those who are awarded at the application level typically have a lower representation fee.

3...A 2009 customer survey conducted by Allsup found that applicants experience a great amount of stress—75 percent reported feeling significant or extreme stress. This often is compounded by financial difficulties many people with disabilities experience during their wait for Social Security benefits...Expert representatives like Allsup advocate for you to ensure your claim receives attention throughout the process, including making sure an accurate onset date of disability is established for your claim, and that filing deadlines and medical records requests are met on time.

6...Even with an experienced expert at your side, many disability applications are still denied. Allsup makes sure appeal deadlines are met, collects additional medical evidence, keeps you updated on the status of your claim, prepares an authoritative brief for the administrative law judge to review and appears on your behalf at the hearing. In a large percentage of cases, however, Allsup requests and receives a decision “on-the-record,” which means the judge is satisfied with the documentation and you do not have to appear in person at a hearing.

Most Social Security disability claimants whose claims reach the hearing level have representation. SSA.

“Individuals with all types of disabilities struggle through the disability application process on their own, either at their initial application or with their appeals,” Stein said. “It’s a difficult experience and it happens when they least need the additional stress, suffering and pain. But it doesn’t have to be this way.”

If you have questions about Social Security Disability Insurance, or would like a free evaluation to determine if you are likely to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, contact the Allsup Disability Evaluation Center at (800) 678-3276. Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Founded in 1984, Allsup employs more than 800 professionals who deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible...For more information, go to http://www.Allsup.com or visit Allsup on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Allsupinc.

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