Social Security has posted updated data on payments of fees to attorneys and others for representing Social Security claimants. This is an analogue for backlogs in Social Security's benefit payment process. Once a Social Security claimant is approved for benefits, someone has to authorize payment of their benefits. This can take time. At the moment, that timeframe is increasing. Attorney fee payments are running 3% behind last year even though they should be running higher because there are more Administrative Law Judge hearings this year than last.
Fee Payments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Month/Year | Volume | Amount |
Jan-11 | 34,467 | $113,459,847.04 |
Feb-11 | 33,305 | $107,796,771.38 |
Mar-11 | 34,885 | $112,463,768.46 |
Apr-11 | 48,033 | $153,893,755.37 |
May-11 | 36,479 | $115,159,012.77 |
June-11 | 33,568 | $104,782,743.07 |
July-11 | 40,451 | $123,981,011.36 |
Your summary neatly ignores the very real possibility that, while there may be more hearings being held, perhaps fewer of them are resulting in approved claims, or perhaps fewer are hearings for represented claimants and so there is no attorney to take a fee. There are several explanations for a decrease in attorney fees such that assuming the backlog is rising is not de facto accurate.
ReplyDeleteno, mr. hall is probably right on this one. the payment centers are just as understaffed and overwhelmed as any other non-odar component. i have seen an uptick in delayed attorney fee payments, and even delayed back award payments, which is a real shame.
ReplyDeletehave you taken into account that cases are being heard by ALJ's faster than before (i.e. less weight)?
ReplyDeleteTherefore, the attorney fees, which are based on back payments might be lower because the back payments are lower due to reduced time from application to ALJ decision.