When a California adult is unable to work, he or she will be faced with the necessity of finding some type of financial support. In many cases, this means applying for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. While support is available to individuals with legitimate disabilities, the process is long. Many applicants find themselves waiting months or years to get approval.
Backlogs and continued frustrations
During the height of the pandemic, many Social Security Administration facilities closed for up to 20 months. As a result, disabled individuals were underserved by the lack of walk-in appointments and on-demand services. As a result, many people seeking disability benefits did not have access to application help, appeals services and more. Because of this, there has been a sharp decline in the number of people receiving any type of disability support from the SSA.
In 2021, the number of approved Social Security Disability Insurance claims has decreased by about 25%. Approvals for Supplemental Security Income are down by approximately 30%. It’s estimated that the backlog caused by the shutdown affected as many as 500,000 applicants.
Options for disabled individuals
California disability applicants will benefit from working with an experienced attorney when pursuing the benefits they need and deserve. Because of the backlog, it may be more important than ever to secure help and support from the initial steps of the application process. From completing paperwork to navigating the appeals process, having knowledgeable assistance can make the process simpler and many even increase the chance of success.