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I frequently get emails from blog readers all over the country who appeared at a disability hearing several weeks or months previously and they are concerned that they are hearing nothing from the judge. Sometimes these folks will call the hearing office and the receptionist will tell them that their decision is “in writing.”
Obviously, if you have been waiting 12, 18 or more months, it can be very frustrating to finally get your hearing, then find yourself waiting weeks or months for a decision with no way to get a status update.
Unfortunately, there is no much you can do about this state of affairs. Social Security personnel – and especially the judges – are overworked and their offices are understaffed. In most cases the judges rely on “writers” to actually produce the written decisions and if the writers are backlogged, the decisions will be backlogged as well.
Even your attorney probably won’t be able to do much. When we call the ODAR offices, the front desk receptionist tells us the same thing he tells you – “the decision is in writing – we don’t know when it will be issued.”
In my office I will email the judge if the decision is not released after five months or so. Sometimes that gets results and sometimes it does not.
Jonathan Ginsberg represents clients in disability claims filed with the Social Security Administration.
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About Jonathan Ginsberg
I live in Indiana, in May I was scheduled a Social Security hearing which was postponed and no replacement date yet. I have an attorney which I called about this issue and they said; we understand the frustration please be patient. Well for nearly 3 years I have been waiting for a hearing. Just recently I was granted Medicaid, which I am very grateful for. The judge ruled that I was unable to work due to bipolar issues and that COPD was secondary. I’m 56 years old and losing my home waiting for a hearing date.
You are so right. I'm in the same boat .House is in forcloser, 5 small kids under 12yrs old.Marrige is on the rocks because of money problems. It's crazy!!