From Social Security Matters, the agency's blog:
The White House announced winners of the first ever President’s Award for Customer Service, and we’re proud to share that one of our employees received this honor among four other government awardees.
Shawn Lynch, a claims representative from the Dothan, Alabama, field office, was recognized for her superior customer service. Among her many contributions, Shawn led efforts to reduce appointment wait times and increase the number of my Social Security registrations within her office. She also took the initiative to reach out to applicants before their appointments, giving them the opportunity to have their disability claims taken early. Shawn educated claimants on the Self Help PC as well. Furthermore, she showed her commitment to service by taking part in community outreach.
7 comments:
Wow, sounds like she shaved a few days off till that first denial... only a year and half, plus to get to a hearing...
@Tim 11:06
For some folks, it is apparently better to make no effort, I guess? Keeps your negative perspective on government nicely intact, right, Tiny Tim?.
12:18 AM Actually, I appreciate her and others effort to do what they can. They didn't set up this inefficient system that makes most claimants wait 1 1/2 to 2 years or more to get the benefits that many so desperately need. Yes, there is some fraud and others apply who don't necessarily meet the criteria. However, many people who will eventually quallify suffer due to the time it takes. Even the people who will be turned down deserve a fully developed answer in a timely matter!
I am curious. What exactly is a timely manner?
Allow the process to begin earlier, such as 30 days after last SGA. For most people, they don't suddenly become disabled. It's a process that occurs over years, often many years. You move to jobs in your company that you think you might be able to do and then relize in time that your ablity to do any job has been eroded. So, after DDS has collected the medical records and given their "cursory" review, seperate the cases into three categories: 1. Those that would be paid. 2. Those that could be paid at step 5, based upon claimant's statements (even if medical "proof" is lacking). 3. Those where medical and claimant's statements would not be paid at step 5. Explain to them why they don't qualify, instead of a vague sentence. For category 2, let them know what RFC has been detemined for them, and where their medical evidence doesn't fully support their statements. Yes, I'm asking for a more hands on approach at the DDS level, including meeting the claimant! (Atleast at reconsideration) If SSA decides against the claimant and the claimant appeals, a hearing should be made within ONE year of original application, especially in those cases where the claimant hasn't been able to work at all since applying.
I see no time advantage, and even longer Int and Recon.
Simple: you increase the amount paid out at the first two levels and discourage those who won't qualify into not appealing for a hearing. This would leave fewer that would reach the hearing level. My DDS decision was 14 months ago, reconsideration was 11 months ago. I appealed 10 1/2 months ago. Asked for on OTR 5 1/2 months ago (haven't been notified of a decision) and have not been notified of a hearing date. It's been 22 months since I last worked and I was only able to "work" for 11 months total of the previous 27 months (ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis of both hands (especially thumbs), both shoulders, knees, feet; constant eye irritations that give me migraines; sleep apnea & fibromyalgia).
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