Growing Backlog and What it Means for You

If you follow us on Facebook, you may have noticed we've been posting several articles lately about the growing backlog of people waiting for hearings across the country. Unfortunately, the problem is widespread and not getting any better. Thankfully, several media outlets have picked up on the issue, and it's getting the attention it deserves. But the problem is still there, and is likely to get even worse in the face of a potential government shutdown. While many Social Security employees continue working during shutdowns, others don't, and the furlough of support staff and other employees can make wait times even longer. 

The good news is that, if you live in the metro Detroit area, wait times -- while still long -- are shorter than others in the country. It's also good news that Michigan is one of only a few states that allow appeals directly to an Administrative Law Judge after the first denial. Other states require claimants to file a reconsideration first, which often results in another denial and can delay the claim several more months. 

The following are the average wait times for hearing offices in the metro Detroit area and around Michigan as of December 2017 (according to Social Security's Public Data Files): 

• Detroit Hearing Office: 15 months
• Flint Hearing Office: 18 months
• Grand Rapids Hearing Office: 18 months
• Lansing Hearing Office: 17 months
• Livonia Hearing Office: 17 months
• Mt. Pleasant Hearing Office: 20 months
• Oak Park Hearing Office: 16 months

As you can see, it's taking almost a year and a half -- at least -- across the board between the time someone requests a hearing and when the hearing actually takes place. In this time, claimants are left to rely on family members and friends to help them out, often racking up debt and even becoming homeless in the process. While Social Security does allow for expedited hearing if someone is truly homeless, no one wants to be in that position. 

The following are some news articles we've posted recently about the backlog and its impact on real people as they wait for benefits while their health declines: 

• http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/feds-bureaucratic-hellscape-gnaws-new-yorkers-health-hope-article-1.3719577
• http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/workinglife/A-longer-wait-Some-now-try-nearly-3-years-to-get-disability-insurance-_162603194
• http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/local/2017/11/20/10000-people-died-waiting-for-a-disability-decision-in-the-past-year-will-he-be-next/?tid=sm_fb&utm_term=.0019a09b608a
• https://apnews.com/b032d9641f6940bbb4c7eaad9387c817
  

While it's very frustrating to know that this problem is widespread and impacting people's lives in very real ways, it may be also helpful to some to know that you're not alone in this. I know it may be little comfort to know that others are going through the same struggle, but I like people to know that a) no, you're not forgotten, and b) national media outlets are becoming increasingly aware of the problem and bringing to light. Hopefully, there will be a solution soon. But that will depend on adequate funding for Social Security and some real action in Congress.