The average wait to appeal for disability benefits in Fayetteville has been reduced by more than half in the past four years, the head of the Social Security Administration said today.
The wait was more than 700 days when the administration four years ago embarked on an ambitious plan to beef up its staff, open several hearing centers around the U.S., modernize its operations and fast-track some disability cases.
Fayetteville was a top priority in the country for a hearing center, said Michael Astrue, the commissioner of the Social Security Administration. The wait here to appeal a denial of benefits has since been reduced to under 300 days, he said.
Astrue joined others snipping a ribbon today celebrating this month's opening of a permanent Social Security appeals hearing center in downtown.
The center, which has 48 employees and six administrative law judges, opened last year in temporary quarters until its new home could be remodeled at 150 Rowan St.
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