The backlog of applications for disability benefits is so big the Social Security Administration has a special code—DXDI—for appeals dismissed because the applicant died waiting. Since 2005, the agency has made 15,043 DXDI designations.
Dec 28, 2011
15,043 Died Waiting For Disability Determination
From today's Wall Street Journal:
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11 comments:
Surprised this number isn't higher. I wonder what % of backlogged apps this is? Probably less than 1%.
But how many of those individuals were actually disabled before they died? That would be the more telling statistic.
The guy mentioned in the article who died of colon cancer should have been granted benefits before he died, but people die for reasons unrelated to their alleged disabilities. Of the cases I have handled involving deceased claimants, the majority have been denials.
I assume these cases are dismissed due to death in the 5 month waiting period. As cases still have medical decisions made after the claimant dies, correct?
also remember that usually only SSI only apps get dismissed due to death. In concurrent and T2 only cases there is usually a substitute party to come in.
This code has got to pertain only to cases for which there is no one eligible for a potential underpayment. T16 only pays underpayments to eligible (T16) spouses and spouses living with the deceased claimant within 6 months of death. A deceased T16 child's underpayment can be paid to a parent living with the child within 6 months of the child's death. T2 underpayments can generally be paid, if not to a relative, to the estate.
If there is no potential for paying an underpayment, SSA does not make a disability decision, but dismisses the case. There's no point, from SSA's perspective, to putting a lot of time and effort into getting and evaluating evidence if nothing can be paid.
But SSI apps may survive because the person received interim assistance -- in which case a decision has to be issued.
I had a cl. die this year waiting.. tried an on the record request. They didn't like the onset date. I amended it. They scheduled the hearing. She died. No hearing. No SSI paid. SSA wins. Good job SSA. Sleep well tonight.
15K since 2005? Hate to sound heartless, but that doesn't really seem statistically significant. Humanely, yes, but not otherwise.
Since people die for reasons unrelated to their alleged disability, a better measure is needed of how long disability claims are delayed. The best measure of course is simply how long of a period of time between filing their application and the date they are awarded or denied.
We all die waiting for something. Sorry, but this is just a fact of life. Sensationalism as it relates to this article.
Are we sure this isn't a classic case of purging? Congress loves using the SSA slush, I mean trust fund for their pet projects (Reagannomics). Old useless disabled sick people can survive on hearty dog food, if that.
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