If you’ve followed some of previous posts, I’ve spent a few times talking about the social security process. In an attempt to further help with the situation, it is important for me to take it upon myself to give you some additional insight into the process so you can understand WHY it takes so long and WHAT you need to consider:
1) There IS no deadline for deciding your case so STOP asking! Every case is on a ‘case by case’ basis. So please stop getting ‘coo coo for cocoa puffs’ when a representative from the government says your claim will be completed in “_______” days. Some times it is just simply NOT possible to get the information that is needed in the time period that you were told.
2) You HAVE to go through the process! Some people out there think that they should keep reapplying until they hit the jackpot. What they DON’T understand is that they are just starting over again and again. Think of like this. Starting a new application after an old one has been denied is like driving a car in the daytona 500 and when the car runs out of gas at lap 55, you get a new car and start from the beginning at lap 1.
3) When it gets to the Hearing level, you have to wait!! It’s crazy because the largest backlog tends to be at the hearing level because those cases are sitting and waiting to be heard. If you’re in a district that has 18,000 cases in waiting, when your case comes into the district, your case will be number what?? That’s right 18,001!!!!!!
4) Even if your case is CRITICAL, you still have to wait! I represented a man who was homeless and living under the interstate and it took a couple of weeks to get before the court. Now, I know you say that that is sad but let’s be real here. I know your situation is crucial but do you REALLY think you’re the ONLY one who’s situation is crucial? Think about it. Say you’re in a district where there 18,000 cases before you. Now, let’s assume that about 10% of those are critical. Now, you’re at 1800. Now, if you only have 18 judges, you have 100 critical cases per judge. Now, if each judge already has cases scheduled for hearing for the next month, where can they fit you??? See how it gets crazy?!
Listen, you will find articles ALLLLL over the internet about the backlog and the delays. It’s an unfortunate thing but it is OUR reality! The hardest part of the process is usually and almost always the WAIT! Don’t let it beat you down. Hang in there!
