Good afternoon, my name is Ian Croall and I’m the managing attorney for the Social Security & Disability department of Bailey & Galyen.
I wanted to speak to you today to provide some updates about the pandemic’s continued impacts on Social Security and the Social Security application process. Currently all Social Security offices remain closed to the general public. All Social Security business can still be conducted via their online portal at SSA.gov or by calling their toll-free number 1-800-772-1213. Similarly, all administrative law judge hearings are continuing to be held telephonically via telephone conference. You can always opt out of a telephone conference however before making that determination it is important to talk to an experienced representative to see if that is the best decision for you and your particular case.
Now more than ever the disability process is fraught with uncertainty and troubled waters. It is important that you have experienced disability professionals on your side to make sure you personal records and paperwork are timely filed making sure that your claim is processed as fast as possible.
Recent news reports have brought to light just how difficult and time consuming the Social Security application process can be. From 2009 to 2019 approximately 110,000 people died while waiting for their Social Security Disability applications to be resolved. Similarly 50,000 people declared Bankruptcy while awaiting a final decision on their Social Security Disability applications.
The Social Security Disability backlog is often times impacted by economic uncertainty. During the Great Recession of 2008 appeal backlogs swelled taking approximately over 2 years to have a final resolution on all disability cases filed. As the years progressed and as we got into 2019 that backlog has lessened and claims were taking less than 2 years to be resolved. However given the uncertainty of the current COVID-19 pandemic I do expect the wait times for appeals to swell again. Meaning that now more than ever it’s more important than ever that you get your claim filed right the first time.
If you are hurt, disabled or unable to work please do not hesitate to contact the professionals here at the Law Offices of Bailey & Galyen. If you are struggling financially we will work on a contingent basis meaning that you will not owe any money for our services or representation until or when your disability claim is approved. Again, nobody has to fight disability alone. If you are hurt, injured or otherwise impaired contact us here at the law offices of Bailey & Galyen for a free disability consultation.
