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August 4, 2007 Kansas can claim it’s number one, although not in a category in which anyone could take pride. A recent report says the state has the nation’s biggest backlog of people lined up to appeal for Social Security disability benefits. The report, by the American Association of People with Disabilities, found that Missouri’s backlog was the 19th worst. Allsup Inc., which represents people seeking claims, helped write the report. Federal officials should bear down on this problem and begin clearing up the logjam. It won’t be easy. Policymakers commonly project the Social Security crisis as beginning when the first baby-boomers begin retiring. But Jim Allsup, president of Allsup Inc., says the disability-appeal backlog is a sign that in this corner of the federal benefits world, the crisis has already arrived. The report by the disabilities group compared the number of claimants in each state waiting for hearings with the numbers receiving benefits. Kansas had a 14,842-case backlog, which was nearly 27 percent of beneficiaries — the nation’s worst ranking. Missouri’s backlog was 19,648 cases, which was nearly 12 percent of beneficiaries. The problem has drawn the attention of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who called on the White House and Congress to shorten the wait for those seeking benefits. Kansas officials say Social Security offices process initial claims in the state in about 70 days, which is lower than the national average. The problem, they say, apparently lies in the slow pace of appeals. How long must claimants wait? Kansas City lawyer Larry Denny tells his clients they should expect to wait two years for a hearing on appeal. Denny has 150 clients. This year, hearings have taken place for about 20. Five years ago, up to 80 of his clients would have had their hearings, he says. The problem, says Denny, is a lack of staff to prepare cases for judges. Sebelius is correct; this problem should not be allowed to continue. Sick and injured people often depend on these benefits for daily necessities. Kansas can claim it’s number one, although not in a category in which anyone could take pride. A recent report says the state has the nation’s biggest backlog of people lined up to appeal for Social Security disability benefits. The report, by the American Association of People with Disabilities, found that Missouri’s backlog was the 19th worst. Allsup Inc., which represents people seeking claims, helped write the report. Federal officials should bear down on this problem and begin clearing up the logjam. It won’t be easy. Policymakers commonly project the Social Security crisis as beginning when the first baby-boomers begin retiring. But Jim Allsup, president of Allsup Inc., says the disability-appeal backlog is a sign that in this corner of the federal benefits world, the crisis has already arrived. The report by the disabilities group compared the number of claimants in each state waiting for hearings with the numbers receiving benefits. Kansas had a 14,842-case backlog, which was nearly 27 percent of beneficiaries — the nation’s worst ranking. Missouri’s backlog was 19,648 cases, which was nearly 12 percent of beneficiaries. The problem has drawn the attention of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who called on the White House and Congress to shorten the wait for those seeking benefits. Kansas officials say Social Security offices process initial claims in the state in about 70 days, which is lower than the national average. The problem, they say, apparently lies in the slow pace of appeals. How long must claimants wait? Kansas City lawyer Larry Denny tells his clients they should expect to wait two years for a hearing on appeal. Denny has 150 clients. This year, hearings have taken place for about 20. Five years ago, up to 80 of his clients would have had their hearings, he says. The problem, says Denny, is a lack of staff to prepare cases for judges. Sebelius is correct; this problem should not be allowed to continue. Sick and injured people often depend on these benefits for daily necessities.
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