Social Security improves on case hearings

Despite the current economic downturn, and for the first time in several years, the Social Security Administration has reduced its number of pending disability appeal hearings, which allowed nearly 38,000 additional applicants to receive benefits.

Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of Social Security, said that during last fiscal year the backlog of hearings amounted to 760,813 cases. In 2008-2009, the pending claims were 722,822, an improvement of 37,991 cases. The average processing time for the cases improved to 491 days from 514 days.

“Our backlog reduction plan is working, and progress is accelerating,” Astrue said. “Even in the face of a significant increase in our workloads as a result of the worst recession since the Great Depression, we have reduced the hearings backlog for nine consecutive months.”

Astrue said the additional funding received from President Obama and Congress, earmarked in the stimulus package approved in February, was paramount to reduce backlogs of pending hearings.

The agency hired 147 new administrative law judges, who handle lots of appeal hearings. Social Security added 850 new staff members to support the judges’ work, and plans to hire 226 additional judges next fiscal year. The agency also opened three national hearing centers in Albuquerque, N.M, Baltimore, Md, and Chicago, Ill.

These centers process backlogged cases, and help in the handling of current and scheduled hearings. The agency also plans to open four satellite offices next year. One will be located in Anchorage, Ala. This office will begin to operate within the next few months.

This year, Social Security targeted 166,838 cases that were 850 days old or older, and almost processed them all. In 2010, the agency will focus again to speed up processing on files 825 days old, or older, Astrue said.

In addition, the agency averaged 570 cases finished per available administrative law judge this year. It amounts to 2.28 cases each judge disposed every day.

Obama announces changes in employment for disabled

President Obama announced that his administration is taking several steps to ensure there is fair and equal access to employment, particularly for the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities.

The announcement, issued on Oct. 5, came during National Disability Employment Awareness month.

"My administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans have the chance to fulfill their potential and contribute to our nation," President Obama said. "Across this country, millions of people with disabilities are working or want to work, and they should have access to the support and services they need to succeed.”

The president said the federal government, as the nation’s largest employer, and its contractors, can lead the way by implementing effective employment policies and practices that increase opportunities and help workers achieve their full potential.

“We must also rededicate ourselves to fostering an inclusive work culture that welcomes the skills and talents of all qualified employees. That’s why I’ve asked the responsible agencies to develop new plans and policies to help increase employment across America for people with disabilities.”

The following are some of the steps the Obama administration will take:

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) will collaborate to sponsor and organize a day long federal government-wide job fair for people with disabilities. The fair will take place in early spring 2010.

In addition to the job fair, the OPM, the ODEP, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Department of Defense's Office on Computer and Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), will provide workshops throughout the day on a variety of topics including the schedule A hiring waiver and the right to the provision of reasonable accommodations including information on assistive and communications technology.

OPM will develop training on schedule A for federal human resources specialists, hiring managers and selective placement coordinators that will be easily accessible. It will include on line training.

EEOC and the Department of Justice's Civil Rights division will hold four town hall meetings throughout the nation to share information about the ADA Amendments Act proposed regulations and to gather comments on them. All town hall meetings will consist of two sessions: one for disability advocates and one for the employer community. These sessions will be completed by Nov. 20. The four locations are Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and New Orleans.

The Department of Justice will release a video that will identify and respond to a number of common myths held by employers about workers with disabilities.
OPM will create and lead a task force comprised of representatives from key federal departments and agencies that have developed and implemented model practices for recruiting, retaining and advancing employees with disabilities.

The task force will report on the innovative practices agencies use to encourage the employment of individuals with disabilities.

The report will identify and promote successful practices for conducting outreach, recruiting, hiring qualified candidates, successful accommodations, and providing opportunities for career advancement at all levels.