Portland Social Security Hearings Bogged Down
The backlog continues. My Oregon Social Security disability clients are waiting nearly two years for a hearing date. Congress has held hearings, newspapers have written stories, and I even saw a major story on the CBS Evening News. Even though the Social Security Administration is addressing the topic, there is no relief in sight.
We work closely with our clients to keep in touch during this long wait, and I have even had success in getting a hearing scheduled more quickly, or having Social Security decide a case for my clients without the need for a hearing. At the very least, we have built a policy making sure we are ready to go as hearing approaches.
If you are experiencing a dire need (food, housing, medical care), the Social Security Judge at the hearing office may allow an expedited hearing. It's not easy showing dire need, especially when you consider that most people waiting for a hearing are without income, and unable to pay their bills. However, we have done it.
In certain cases, we will also contact doctors early in the case, obtain a needed report, and ask the hearings office to consider finding for our client. Again, this will not work in every case, but if the evidence is there, we have been successful.
