@11:59. While those new ALJs doubtless feel lucky, hiring more isn’t going to help things one bit. The state DDS offices are the bottleneck. Meanwhile the ALJs are doing less work than they’ve been expected to do in more than a decade. And this has not led to any increase in the quality of their work under any metrics. So I reiterate: hiring more ALJs is NOT a solution to anyone’s problems.
The current issues we are facing with SSA aren't at the OHO level, its the field offices that are the major problem. Getting them to process an initial application filed online and forward it to the State agency can take 3-4 months, and that is after repeated follow ups.
ALJs presently do not have enough work to do so bringing on more won't really help other than to replace the normal attrition rate. The fact that a vast majority of the hires are insiders does not bode well for claimant's. Hiring only those who have been sucking at the teat of the agency for years certainly makes for a class of ALJs who have learned to follow agency directives. I am concerned more than ever about a growing lack of judicial independence with the ALJ corps.
57 New ALJs coming on board next year. Hopefully they continue the hiring trend and get more hearings scheduled!
ReplyDeleteIt won’t matter. They’re already pushing out more than the FO’s can reasonably process timely!!!
Delete@11:59. While those new ALJs doubtless feel lucky, hiring more isn’t going to help things one bit. The state DDS offices are the bottleneck. Meanwhile the ALJs are doing less work than they’ve been expected to do in more than a decade. And this has not led to any increase in the quality of their work under any metrics. So I reiterate: hiring more ALJs is NOT a solution to anyone’s problems.
ReplyDeleteThe current issues we are facing with SSA aren't at the OHO level, its the field offices that are the major problem. Getting them to process an initial application filed online and forward it to the State agency can take 3-4 months, and that is after repeated follow ups.
ReplyDeleteALJs presently do not have enough work to do so bringing on more won't really help other than to replace the normal attrition rate. The fact that a vast majority of the hires are insiders does not bode well for claimant's. Hiring only those who have been sucking at the teat of the agency for years certainly makes for a class of ALJs who have learned to follow agency directives. I am concerned more than ever about a growing lack of judicial independence with the ALJ corps.