Atlanta Social Security Claims
Delays and Steps Taken to Fix Them

At one time in Atlanta, Georgia, it was not uncommon to wait two to three years in order to have your Social Security Disability hearing. These long delays were not only unacceptable to the person making the claims and waiting for much needed benefits, but also to the lawyers involved, judges, and the administrators in the Social Security Administration.

With the all the uproar over the delays in Atlanta, in 2008 and on through 2009 the Social Security Administration began making some very noticeable changes and efforts towards reducing the amount of waiting time for the claimants.

Some of the steps in the right direction include, but are not limited to:

• They introduced a national video hearing center based in Virginia that has National Hearing Center judges to hear the Atlanta, GA cases.
• They opened an office in Marietta that was a video only hearing office
• Required that the downtown judges hear a minimum amount of cases per week and also hired some new judges
• Introduced a “bench decision” where judges can use a more streamlined approach to providing favorable decisions to help cut down the delay times.
• Implemented a paperless file system

The implementation of many of these efforts has begun to show progress here in Atlanta. Many lawyers report being able to schedule in twice as many cases and their clients appear to be much happier now that they aren’t waiting 2 to 3 years for their case to be heard.

Because these cases are being heard much more quickly than they were once before, many attorneys will have to pick up the pace and prepare their cases more quickly. If you have filed for benefits before these changes took place and feel like you did not receive a fair hearing, contact a law office in Atlanta now. Speak with an attorney, you may find that your case is worthy enough of being re-tried.