Social Security Disability and SSI Wait Times Increasing

There is bad news for Social Security Disability or SSI claimants in that the average processing times for hearings have increased and are likely to continue increasing due to the federal budgetary cuts known as “sequestration.”

In East Tennessee, the average processing times at the hearing level alone (the time from a request for a hearing to the date the hearing is held) have increase in recent months. For example, the average processing times for some Office of Disability Adjudication and Review branches are:

• Knoxville – 389 days
• Kingsport – 346 days
• Chattanooga – 402 days

According the Social Security Administration, the sequestration will cause longer wait times in field offices and initial claim processing will increase by at least two weeks. At the hearing level, hearing processing times will increase nearly a month and post-hearing work is likely to be delayed as well.

If you need more information about a Social Security Disability/SSI, personal injury, EEOICPA, long or short-term disability, VA disability, Railroad Retirement Board disability, or a workers compensation matter, please contact the Law Offices of Tony Farmer and John Dreiser for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at (865) 584-1211 or (800) 806-4611 or through our website. Our office handles claims throughout East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, Morristown, Maryville, Rogersville, Dandridge, Tazewell, New Tazewell, Jefferson City, Strawberry Plains, Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Loudon, Kingston, Halls, Maynardville, Crossville, Cookeville, Jamestown, Sweetwater, Lenoir City, Athens, Oak Ridge, Clinton, LaFollette, Lake City, Jacksboro, Bean Station, Cosby, Newport, White Pine, Mosheim, Wartburg, Sunbright, Pigeon Forge, and Deer Lodge.