Problem Solver: Disability Cases Moving Faster Through SSA

Video

By Dianne Derby
Anchor
Published: November 21, 2008

Since our story “Denied for Disability” aired earlier this month so many of you have asked for our help with your disability claim. Well we have good news for applicants who have waited more than 2 years for their hearing. In the last few weeks Greenville’s hearing office has made decisions on a record number of cases and nearly 1000 more have been moved to other offices to get processed faster. Dianne Derby has more in this follow up to a 7 On Your Side Problem Solver “Denied for Disability”.

They are the faces of disability we’ve shown you over the last year…a diabetic with poor circulation in her feet who survived two heart attacks, a woman suffering from a seizure disorder, and a 32-year-old dying of cancer. In each case the Social Security Administration said these women could work. They say they can’t and their long wait for their day in court to prove it was cut to just weeks with the help of 7 On Your Side.

“I think nobody should have to wait that long to see anybody especially when they have medical problems that need to be taken care of,“ said applicant Janice Reynolds.

“I can’t live off of family and friends for the rest of my life there’s just no way,“ said applicant Jennifer Satterfield.

“It is a waiting game and a paper pushing game,“ said applicant Penny Knight.

And when we talked to the SSA for a story that aired earlier this month they said they would be transferring cases to faster hearing offices. At the time they said Greenville was close to last place out of more than 140 hearing offices in the country taking more than 2 years on average to process cases.

Here’s the big news…since our story aired Greenville processed so many cases they jumped to second place. Plus they’ve moved nearly 1000 cases waiting more than 2 years to other hearing offices.

“This is impressive because the government doesn’t normally move quickly on anything there’s usually red tape budgetary issues,“ said disability attorney Leah Broker.

Broker says each day she finds out more of her clients are having their cases moved.
“Now we know there will be a hearing soon and we’re able to tell our clients they don’t have to wait two and a half years which is what we had to tell them realistically before this,“ said Broker.

“It could mean that it’s going to be approved ‘on the record’ which means there’s enough evidence to approve them without a hearing or it may mean they get scheduled for a video hearing with a judge somewhere else,“ Broker said.

It’s a big deal for people who’ve waited so long to get their voices heard.

If your case has been moved the SSA says they will notify you in writing.

Reader Reactions

Posted by ( fancynancy51 ) on December 10, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Thanks to the 2 readers who commented. The person I wrote about is actually myself. I am a widow.My husband spent 22 yrs. in the Navy,then passed with cancer. He and I worked hard all of our lives,paying SS,taxes and making a decent living. In 2006 I became disabled,I have so many things wrong with my spine that I don’t care to list all. The SSA tells me also that I’m able to work. LOL..I’ve tried to work,everytime I do I end up in bed,I sometimes can’t stand straight,Can’t sit. I got 5 injections,now I can no longer get them because they have caused me to have high blood pressure. So I take pain meds. I don’t go very much because I’m afraid to drive and it hurts to drive. I have been turned down twice,have a lawyer. That really doesn’t work. I just plain give up!The lazy people,the people that don’t try will get my huband and my social security. The government is corrupt. I think everyone shoud be able to put their SS into a retirement or 401K fund. The government chooses to give it to people that didn’t even work. It’s called SSI. Good Luck to u all cause I’m tired of dealing with it. I’ll just end up homeless. Also my Drs. have stated that I’m not able to work. The SS uses their drs. They are paid by the state..Imagine that!

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Posted by ( blondedkm ) on December 10, 2008 at 11:59 am

i guess they forgot 2 move my case faster,i,ve been waiting over 2 years, i got a lawyer,but hes not doing anything,i,ve had 2 heart attacts,i also have back problems,i was a truck driver before i had all these problems,i now take 15 pills a day ,plavix,metoprplol,lisinopril,tricor,lipitor,,thats for my heart,then theres hydrocodone,for the back problems,then theres lamotrigine,alprazolam,for all the stress& depression,cause by all the money problems i,m having,i,ve already sold everthing that i could get a dollar out of,just trying 2 survive,and the board says according 2 the national econmy,i can still drive a truck,would u want me out there in an 18 wheeler next 2 u,on all that medication,i,m at ends wit,wish 2 God they would hurry up my case, thanks for leting me sound off,at least it helps knowing theres others out there like myself,sincerley Robert L McCall.

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Posted by ( dannan ) on December 02, 2008 at 6:55 pm

I agree with the comments from the other viewer. My friend has been waiting over 2yrs for a hearing and was disabled for almost a year before that. I have been caring for her and her child for the past 3yrs working three jobs to support myself, my children as well as the two of them. I have contacted every state representative and congressman asking for assistance and they have been unable to assist me in getting her hearing moved along. Our lawyer has done absolutely nothing to help us and the person at his office in charge of her case always has the same repetitive things to say telling me I have to be patient and it takes close to 3yrs. I’m physically exhausted and very discouraged by our system, I have turned in every direction for help and have recieved none. When I call to check on the progress of her case to the greenville ssa office I’m told that since she has a lawyer they are only allowed to speak to him and when I ask the lawyer to talk to them I’m told it would do no good. I’m reaching the end of my patience quickly, our children have had no christmas’, no birthday’s, no special moments in three years, I’ve worked myself into the ground and still no hearing.

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Posted by ( fancynancy51 ) on November 21, 2008 at 7:14 pm

You are correct.The claims that have been filed this year has pushed right through. What u don’t know is that there are people that have been backlogged for years that are still waiting! The cancer patients,MS patients and other chronic diseases should be passed right away. BUT some people have had theirs pass through already getting a check and have less severe conditions. In my opinion the people who have been backlogged should have been the first to get their claim reviewed. They are sending the new cases out of town and they are getting approved right away. It’s just another way to scam the people that really need it. I know people that have been waiting 2 years or more and still no hearing set.They are really disabled and can get no help. It’s like welfare and medicade,if u lie u can get help.Sorry to be negative but I haven’t seen the people that really need help ..get it.

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