Knoxville not the only city with Disability Hearing Delays

Nearly every day I get several calls from clients who wonder, "has anything happened on my case". Last time I checked with the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, there were approximately 4,300 cases waiting to be heard. That's 4,300 people who are out of work, and running short of money.

Today, Joe shows me statistics from a recent NOSSCR newsletter, showing that the Knoxville office actally has more than 5,000 cases waiting for Social Security Disability hearings.

Imagine being at the bank with 5,000 people in front of you. Now imagine that the customers problems are very complex and that the bank staff can only handle 10-12 per day. The staff works as hard as they can, but the people just keep lining up.

Here is an article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer that sheds some light on the subject.

For nearly two years, Terry Van Gieson had to wear a plastic bag, like a diaper, around his stomach to collect his body's waste. He has other troubles, too. Numbness in his legs makes it difficult to walk or stand for long. He's diabetic. And recent surgery for his intestinal problems has him back in the hospital.

But his biggest worry is his Social Security disability check.

He can't get one, even though he paid into the system for 20 years while he worked. Twice, the government has told him no. He's not sick enough.

He appealed the decision in December 2005.

Ever since, the 41-year-old security guard from South Euclid has been waiting to see an administrative law judge in Cleveland to plead his case. In the meantime, he has sold his belongings. He lives off food stamps, $115 a month in welfare and a girlfriend who has gone into debt supporting him. And he's hoping for his day in court.

More than 12,600 other people are waiting with him, according to numbers from the Social Security Administration. That's just to get a hearing in the Cleveland office, which handles cases from throughout Northeast Ohio. Of the U.S. Social Security Administration's 140 other hearing offices across the country, only six have bigger backlogs and one is in Columbus, according to 2006 Social Security data provided by the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives. The professional group is for lawyers and paralegals who help those filing for disability.

Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000

Increased Social Security Disability Benefits for Tennesseeans

The Social Security Administration announced recently a 3.3% increase in benefits for 2007. This increase applies to Disability, SSI, retirement, and survivor's benefits.

Read SSA's press release here.

Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000

What do I do if Social Security denies my claim for Social Security disability benefits?

Don't be surprised. but DON'T GIVE UP! In Tennessee, only about 1/3 of those who apply for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are approved at the first stage.

If you are denied, you should appeal. Many people give up and lose benefits that they should have.

You should also hire a competent lawyer to represent you. Make sure your case is evaluated personally by an attorney--not by a paralegal or clerk. Additionally, you should know that there are many people who try to represent Social Security claimants who are not attorneys. Although they may mean well, they aren't held to the same high standards as attorneys, and cannot appeal cases through all steps of the Social Security Disability and SSI claims process.

We handle cases for Social Security Disability and SSI across East Tennessee. Call our Knoxville office and make an appointment for a free case evaluation.

Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000

Social Security Disability Recipients and SSI recipients should stay away from "payday" loans.

According to the Center for Responsible Lending, payday lenders cost American families $4.2 billion every year in predatory fees.

It's appalling, but the minimum charge for these loans, fifteen dollars per $100, equates to a 390% annual percentage rate, or APR - that's multiplied by 26 paydays! Incredibly, only 2.5% of payday lending chains' customers stop at just one loan. Most customers average 5 to 10 loans - up to a 1,800% APR.

Payday lenders won't hesitate to loan to people getting Social Security disability checks.

It can be tempting for people waiting for Social Security Disability benefit or SSI benefit hearings to borrow money from one of these "cash advance" or "payday loan" services. It seems like these places are on every corner in Knoxville and other parts of East Tennessee. Any lawyer will tell you, "it isn't worth it."

Don't take my word for it. Take some time and read the report for yourself.

Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000

Waiting times long in other areas, too.

Here is an article that ran recently in the Charlotte Observer. It looks like their waiting times for Social Security disability benefit hearings are even longer than the ones here in Knoxville and other East Tennessee hearing offices.

Since 2002, the backlog of Social Security cases has ballooned from 468,000 to 730,000, said Thomas Richards, executive director of the Federal Managers Association, which lobbies for government administrators.

You can read the entire article here.

Cannon & Anderson, Attorneys
Straight Answers about Social Security Disability
2916 Tazewell Pike, Ste. F
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 522-9000