Hundreds of thousands of workers across the country are awaiting hearings to appeal denied social security disability claims. The average wait for a hearing is 17 months, although in some parts of the country people must wait as long as 31 months.

"People have died waiting for a hearing," said Michael Astrue, Social Security Commissioner.

The Filing Process

When an individual files a disability claim, the claim is initially reviewed by a state agency, a process that takes approximately three to four months. However, nearly two-thirds of all disability claims are initially denied and individuals who appeal their claim must attend a federal hearing before an administrative law judge.

Funding, Staffing Issues

The program is currently running on $1 billion less than what President Bush has sought in recent years. Consequently, staffing has become a serious issue. In less than two years, social security field offices have lost more than 2,300 employees. Staffing levels have reached a low not seen since the early 1970s.

"We don't have enough staff members to answer the phones," said Richard Warsinskey, president of the National Council of Social Security Management Associations.

Aging Population

Adding to the problem of inadequate staffing is the growing population of baby boomers who are now at an age when they are prone to injury and disease. According to agency statistics, the number of individuals collecting benefits has increased by nearly 24 percent over the past five years.

"It's a combination of two demographic trends, the population getting larger and the population getting older," Astrue said.

Dealing with the Problem

Shortening the appeals backlog is not something that can be accomplished overnight, but Astrue is trying to implement some immediate changes. One of those changes involves making early decisions based on compassion. Another involves holding electronic hearings to lessen geographic disparities.

For some, these changes will have little effect. At the end of June, the number of claimants awaiting a hearing topped 745,000. By 2010, that number could reach one million.

"It really is a continuing disaster, financially and emotionally, for millions of people," said social security disability attorney Tom Affleck.