TANNER CRITICIZES BACKLOG OF
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASES

Says Disabled Tennesseans Waiting Too Long for Help

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. John Tanner encouraged additional funding for the Social Security Administration to address its huge backlog of disability cases.

Tanner serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, which held a hearing on the issue. He made the following statement in the record of committee proceedings:

“I want to thank Chairman Rangel for holding a hearing on this critically important issue. The average wait time for someone who has filed an appeal on their disability claim is 456 days in Memphis and 561 days in Nashville, the two offices that deal with the cases in my district, to receive a decision by an Administrative Law Judge. These numbers are appalling.

“Given all the technological progress our nation has made in the last 20 years, the average national processing time for disability review has more than doubled. Something must change.

“The first step is ensuring the Social Security Administration (SSA) has the necessary resources to carry out these reviews in a more timely manner. Thankfully the House Democratic Budget for the 2009 fiscal year provides an additional $240 million for SSA above the president’s request for this purpose. Providing these resources is critical to reducing the egregious backlog so disabled Tennesseans and others across the country can be ensured their case will be reviewed in a judicious and fair manner.”

Tanner represents Tennessee’s 8th Congressional district in West and Middle Tennessee. A founding member of the fiscally responsible Blue Dog Democrats, he serves on the Ways and Means Committee, on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and as chairman of the U.S. House delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714