Just as the President of the United States provides an annual address explaining his view of the future of America, I will take a stab at explaining recent trends in Social Security Disability.
Many more people are being denied disability benefits at the initial application stage and the reconsideration level.
It is taking longer to get a hearing; up to 2 years.
Judges are being tougher on people seeking benefits.
More people who receive Social Security Disability benefits are being taken off benefits because SSA claims that they have made medical improvement and can now work.
There is a perfect storm of a large number of people applying for disability benefits, a reduction in SSA employees, and extreme financial problems for the Federal government and the Social Security program.
Congress has made high profile attacks on the Social Security Disability system.
The Administrative Law Judges presiding over the disability cases are feeling the heat.
The Judges are denying many more cases. The approval rating has dropped from close to 50 percent to the low 30s in some regions.
All of this means that you must be very prepared for your case from the beginning.
Do not take any chances.
Hire an experienced Social Security Disability Lawyer right away.
It does not cost you anything unless you win and then fees are limited according to federal law.
Call Illinois Social Security Disability lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.