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Out of over 2.1 million initial claims that were filed in 2004, just under 800,000 were approved.
Commissioner Barnhart Announces Proposed Regulation
To Improve Social Security's Disability Process
Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security , announced that Social Security will publish a proposed regulation to improve the disability determination process.
"The new disability determination process was guided by three questions President Bush asked me during a meeting to discuss disability programs," Commissioner Bernhard said.
"Why does it take so long to make a disability decision? Why can't people who are obviously disabled get a decision immediately, and why would anyone risk going back to work after going through such a long process to receive benefits?" said President Bush.
The proposed regulation:
- Establishes a quick disability determination process for those who are obviously disabled. Appropriate claims would be identified and referred directly to special units in the State agencies for expedited action.
- Establishes a Federal Expert Unit comprised of State and Federal experts to provide medical and vocational expertise for adjudicators at each level of the disability determination process.
- Eliminates the reconsideration step of the appeals process and establishes a Federal Reviewing Official to review. The Reviewing Official would review initial State Agency denials if the claimant requests such a review.
More Changes
- The Administrative Law Judges would be required to explain why they agree or disagree with the rationale of the written decision of the Reviewing officials.
- Decision Review Board will select and review both favorable and unfavorable Administrative Law Judges decisions and handle dismissals. Other review functions currently preformed by the Appeals Council would eventually shift to the Decision Review Board when the new process is phased implemented.
- The current Disability Quality Branch review of State agency claims would be replaced with a new centrally-managed quality assurance system that would perform independent end-of-line reviews of targeted cases and provide for an in-line quality process performed by State agencies.
- Social Security plans to implement the new disability determination process on a gradual implementation, allowing the agency to make adjustments as necessary.
"None of the changes we are proposing require legislative action nor will they adversely affect the employment status of current Social Security or state agency employees," said Commissioner Barnhart.
In conjunction with the changes in the disability determination process, Social Security also plans to conduct several demonstration projects aimed at helping people with disabilities return to work.
These projects support the President's New Freedom Initiative and project for work incentives and opportunities. In these demonstrations, the Social Security Administration will test providing cash supports, various forms of medical benefits and transportation assistance so Social Security can help people with disabilities successfully work. Social Security Disability Help Center
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