If your claim has been denied, you’ll need to attempt a Social Security Disability appeal so you can get the benefits that you need to survive. That means going through a hearing in front of a special judge called an ALJ (administrative law judge).
Unfortunately, over the last few years there have been so many new disability claims that many of these judges are overburdened with cases, and claims take longer than ever to process. To help with this problem, the government has been hiring new judges. Since 2011, about 200 new ALJs have begun working and there are now almost 1,500 Social Security Disability judges around the country.
Sounds like good news, right? After all, more judges should mean that your case can be heard faster and you’ll get your benefits in less time. Naturally, though, that isn’t the whole story.
New Judges May Actually Hurt Your Social Security Disability Appeal
Supposedly anyone can take the ALJ examination and become a Social Security Disability judge but, for the last decade, that test has been closed off to the public.
So where did all these new judges come from? The Federal Government.
Of the 147 new ALJs hired in 2012, only 47 of them—32%!—weren’t already working in the Federal Government. In fact, 58% percent of these new judges were simply promoted from other positions in Social Security Administration offices.
With the government focusing on finding new ways to cut expenses and balance the budget, having such a high percentage of new judges come from within the system may be a sign that they’ll be more interested in protecting government assets than helping those who need it.
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Social Security Disability Appeal Judges Need Varied Perspectives
No one is saying that these new judges will actively work to prevent people from getting benefits but, since they come from a philosophy of saving money, that can’t help but influence their decisions. There need to be more ALJs with different backgrounds and perspectives, but that’s difficult to get when the exam is closed to them.
One potentially positive sign is that the exam was recently opened to a select few. Veterans with service-connected disabilities can now apply to take it and try to become judges for disability cases. More needs to be done to help your Social Security Disability appeal, but at least it’s a start. To learn more about what steps you’ll have to take, read our free eBook. Call us toll free or arrange for a free case evaluation with a Social Security Disability claims lawyer.
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