The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is running an editorial on Social Security's backlog situation. The article tells us that the current level of service at Social Security is "unacceptable" and notes that "The reason for the backlog is not in dispute —- not enough workers to process the claims, and not enough administrative law judges to hear appeals of denials."
The editorial makes the common naive mistake of asking for "streamlining." In my opinion, Social Security is suffering from an excess of efforts to "streamline." These efforts, which have become more and more desperate and even ridiculous have had the perverse effect of making things worse because they have not worked (other than to cut corners, reducing the quality of the decision-making process) and because they have diverted attention and resources from the real problem of lack of staff.
The editorial also suggests that there is something awful about long term disability (LTD) insurers having offsets in their policies for Social Security disability benefits. Think about it a bit. Without that offset, how expensive would LTD be? Without being able to offset Social Security disability benefits, LTD would be so expensive that almost no one would be covered. The LTD available now is quite imperfect, but it is far better than nothing.
Michael Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, was given an opportunity to respond. His response was adapted from a statement he made to a Congressional committee. It is not clear whether this was Astrue's choice or the newspaper's choice. There is nothing new in it.
The editorial makes the common naive mistake of asking for "streamlining." In my opinion, Social Security is suffering from an excess of efforts to "streamline." These efforts, which have become more and more desperate and even ridiculous have had the perverse effect of making things worse because they have not worked (other than to cut corners, reducing the quality of the decision-making process) and because they have diverted attention and resources from the real problem of lack of staff.
The editorial also suggests that there is something awful about long term disability (LTD) insurers having offsets in their policies for Social Security disability benefits. Think about it a bit. Without that offset, how expensive would LTD be? Without being able to offset Social Security disability benefits, LTD would be so expensive that almost no one would be covered. The LTD available now is quite imperfect, but it is far better than nothing.
Michael Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, was given an opportunity to respond. His response was adapted from a statement he made to a Congressional committee. It is not clear whether this was Astrue's choice or the newspaper's choice. There is nothing new in it.
The unaware think that streamlining is needed because the backlogs are caused by a complicated claims process. It is not complicated. You file a claim, it gets denied, you file an appeal, and it sits for 18-24 months with no processing because there is no manpower to process it. That is the reality that is not getting through to the talking heads. SSA is doomed.
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