Skip to main content

SOCIAL SECURITY'S 2014 STATISTICAL SUMMARY

At the end of each fiscal year, the US Social Security Administration releases pertinent statistics about their disability program for that year.  Here is what we glean from the 2014 fiscal year at Social Security.
 
  • Your initial application has a 32% chance of being approved (only 27% in Alabama).
  • You have a 45% chance of winning your hearing before an administrative law judge.
  • The Appeals Council approves 1% for payment and returns 14% back to the judge for more consideration.
  • Federal District Courts award 2%, return 43% to the administrative judge, deny 47%, dismiss 8%.
The 45% award rate at the hearing level is the lowest in the history of the Social Security disability program.  Across the nation, lawyers, advocates and organizations are scratching our collective heads, trying to figure out why awards are so low.  Theories differ.  What we all agree on is that "Social Security disability is a tough nut to crack."

As you review the 2014 averages, keep in mind that 85% of all the individuals in these numbers were represented by counsel.  I suspect that if we could look at the 15% of individuals who were not represented, the averages in that group would be dismal, indeed.  

Why should you risk paying an attorney or representative 25% of your back pay to represent you?  Because 100% of nothing is nothing.  75% of something is a lot better.

--The Forsythe Firm - Huntsville (256) 799-0297

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

COMPLETING THE FUNCTION REPORT FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

Social Security analyzes a new claimant's ability to perform certain activities.  This helps them to decide whether the claimant is disabled according to their rules.  They use a form called "Function Report - Form SSA-3373-BK" or one very much like it.  Be careful how you answer the questions on this form.  Strive to be accurate but also descriptive.  Try to give a real picture of how your pain or other symptoms limit your daily activities--such as shopping, driving, doing housework, socializing, etc. Here are just a few of the questions on the Function Report, as samples of the type of information being collected from each applicant who files a new claim for benefits: Do you take care of anyone else such as a wife/husband, children, parents, friend, other?  ( If you do, and do not show that you have significant problems in doing so, Social Security may judge that you are quite able to perform other activity, like working). How often do you prepare f...
5 comments
Read more

JUDGE JUDY TIRADES ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY

Judge Judy Sheindlin has added her two cents worth to the controversy about Social Security.  Judge Judy appeared on a Fox News program hosted by Megan Kelly and said she was tired of people getting Social Security disability because they were "alcoholics and drug addicts," adding to the popular myth that SSDI is "going broke" because of dead beat drug users who refuse to work.  Fox News did nothing to set the record straight. The truth is that by law individuals cannot qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits based on either alcohol or drug addiction/abuse. In 1996, Congress passed Public Law ( P.L. ) 104-121—which terminated benefits for Supplemental Security Income ( SSI ) and Disability Insurance ( DI ) beneficiaries whose primary impairment was drug addiction, alcoholism, or both. As a result of the 1996 legislation, those individuals became ineligible for benefits, effective January 1, 1997. Social Security will currently not award benefits to persons becau...
Post a Comment
Read more

TAKE A HARD LOOK AT SOCIAL SECURITY BEFORE YOU FILE!

Considering a Social Security disability claim?  Take a hard look at it before deciding. If you have a choice, you probably don't need to apply. Some things to consider: 1.  It will probably not be an easy or short process.  It will take about 4 months to get your initial decision and 70% of those are denials.  If you must appeal, expect a wait time of an additional 18 months after you file the appeal.  So, you may be looking at 2 years or more in many cases. 2.  You will need good medical evidence.  If you have little or no evidence from a doctor, it isn't likely you will ever be approved. 3.  You cannot apply for SSDI while you are working and earning at least $1,170 a month.  This work will disqualify you.  Many people don't realize they will have to stop working to apply for SSDI.  That's why we say, "If you have a choice, you probably don't need to apply."  If working is an option, it's the best option. 4.  Th...
4 comments
Read more