Tanner Convenes Hearing For Update On Social Security Disability Backlog

Press Release

U.S. Rep. John Tanner, Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, urged the Social Security Administration (SSA) to continue its focus on reducing the unprecedented backlog in disability claims.

The number of Americans awaiting a hearing on their disability claims more than doubled from 2000 to 2008. Some claimants are waiting up to three or four years to have their cases heard, Tanner said in written opening remarks.

"Because applicants often have little or no income while awaiting a decision on benefits, the backlog has caused severe hardship to hundreds of thousands of Americans with significant disabilities," Tanner said in his statement. "Today we have good news and bad news to report. First, the good news: After many years of growing backlogs in SSA's hearing offices, we have finally turned a corner. Since the beginning of 2009, the hearings backlog has begun to slowly decline…. This shows that Congress' investment in SSA is starting to pay off. The Subcommittee particularly wants to commend all the dedicated SSA employees who have contributed to this success."

Tanner noted that many West and Middle Tennesseans often must wait months or years to have their disability claims heard.

Beth Bates, a Jackson attorney who works with disability claimants, testified before the subcommittee about the impact of the SSA disability backlog on many Tennesseans she represents. She echoed Tanner's remarks about the hardships placed on Tennesseans and others with pending claims.

"Foreclosures and bankruptcies have increased, with claimants losing their homes and vehicles and their economic stability," Bates said in her testimony.

Tanner said Congress is committed to working with SSA to continue progress on the backlog reduction.

"Millions of Americans pay Social Security taxes every year with the promise that if they become severely disabled, Social Security will be there for them," Chairman Tanner said in his written statement. "But the lengthy delays many face when they apply for benefits means that we now are falling short on that promise. I am committed to ensuring that these problems are addressed, so that Americans who apply for disability benefits can receive timely consideration of their cases."

Reducing the disability backlog has been a priority for the Subcommittee. As Chairman, Tanner, along with Ranking Member Sam Johnson (R-TX), also recently wrote to the Government Accountability Office to request an investigation into possible overpayments to Social Security disability beneficiaries who return to work. The overpayments are a burden to both beneficiaries and taxpayers, they said in their letter.

Congressman Tanner represents the 8th District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard, Tanner chairs the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and is serving as NATO PA President.

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