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Social Security Layoffs: How They Affect Your Disability Benefits
Nearly 90% of people age 65 and older receive some form of social security benefit. Additionally, more than 11 million disabled Americans under the age of 65 rely on benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) through either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both. All in all, about 73 million Americans receive social security benefits.
With the recent news that the SSA will be cutting approximately 7,000 jobs under the new federal administration, it’s no surprise that many social security benefit holders are feeling nervous about the state of their benefits.
While this development can be anxiety-inducing, the good news is that the only expected change due to the SSA layoffs is an increased wait time for services. With the reduction in force, it will take a longer amount of time for the SSA to review applications, offer support, and review denials, but social security payments are not changing or stopping.
What You Need to Know About the SSA Layoffs
It’s true that the SSA is implementing significant layoffs—about a 12% reduction in staffing. The SSA will also reduce their ten regional offices down to four.
While the layoffs are a challenging loss for the former employees affected, it’s important to know that nothing has changed for social security benefit holders. There will be no change in benefit amounts, and payments will continue as planned.
It’s important to note that as of December 1, 2024, the SSA requires scheduled in-person appointments. Walk-in appointments are no longer allowed.
How Do the SSA Layoffs Affect Your Disability Benefits?
In general, if you’re a social security benefit holder or are seeking social security benefits, you can expect some delays due to the recent layoffs. Anticipate longer wait times for application processing, appointment scheduling, assistance services, and denial claims. With a significant reduction in force, fewer employees will be handling the same amount of work, which will lead to longer wait times.
With that said, longer wait times are the only guaranteed change that will be happening because of the SSA layoffs. Benefits and payments will continue to process as normal.
How Layoffs Affect SSDI and SSI Denials
If you’ve recently applied for or are anticipating applying for Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income, it makes sense that the SSA layoff news could be stressful.
However, your chances of securing SSDI and SSI benefits are the exact same as before. There are rumors that the SSA office is denying more claims to lessen their workload, but this is not true. Your chances of getting your claim approved are still the exact same as before the layoffs.
It’s important to still apply for SSDI and SSI benefits if you’re in need. If you wrongly receive a denial, it’s vital to work with an experienced social security disability attorney to submit an appeal and increase your chances of getting approved.
A skilled attorney will help you understand your denial letter, prepare for required hearings and appeals, gather necessary medical evidence, and will represent you before an Administrative Law Judge. Working with an attorney on an SSDI denial is important to increase your chances of success in any case, but especially in the instance of multiple denials or complex cases.
Back Pay for SSDI and SSI Denials
If there are any delays between your disability onset date and the date your SSDI or SSI application gets approved, you are owed back pay, or “retroactive benefits.” Retroactive benefits refer to the payment of past-due benefits you can receive.
Receiving back pay is a common scenario if you were originally denied benefits but then appealed the denial and won your case. In a situation like this, the SSA determines a disability onset date, which is the date the administration determines that your disability began and you became eligible for benefits.
If you are owed back pay, the retroactive benefits will date back to your disability onset date. Note that there is a 5-month waiting period from the disability onset date. During this waiting period, applicants are not eligible for back pay. But, if your application is approved after the waiting period, you may be eligible to receive retroactive benefits for the remaining months.
Even with the SSA layoffs, this process will remain the same. You will still receive back pay if you are owed it. The only difference is that the process may take longer now.
Tips for Getting Your Social Security Benefits
While the SSA layoffs are not changing any of the processes around applying for or receiving social security benefits, delays or slower processing times are expected. To improve your chances of getting approved for social security, follow these tips:
1) Act Fast
Submit your application for benefits as soon as possible. With anticipated delays, it will be important to get your claim in front of the SSA as soon as you’re able to. You can apply for SSDI benefits as soon as you’re no longer able to work, just keep in mind that you’ll need to prove that your disability will keep you out of work for at least one year in order to qualify for benefits.
Remember that the SSA is no longer taking walk-in appointments. If you need to meet with the Social Security Administration, you’ll need to schedule an appointment. Be sure to act quickly and schedule your appointment as soon as possible, as you may have to wait a few days or weeks for an available appointment.
2) Work With an Attorney If You’re Denied
If your initial application gets denied, be sure to work with an experienced social security attorney to appeal the decision. It can be a complicated process to navigate on your own, so working with a skilled attorney will help ensure your appeal has the best possible chance of getting approved.
If your appeal gets approved, you will still be owed back pay for any length of time you went without benefits after the 5-month waiting period. This is another area your attorney will help you understand.
The Fastest Way to Handle SSDI Denials
The recent SSA layoffs can be stressful news to digest if you’re someone who relies on social security or is planning to apply for benefits. However, take heart in knowing that no processes have changed and you will not lose your benefits for no reason. The only difference now is that wait times will likely be longer across the board.
If you apply for SSDI benefits and get denied, you still have the opportunity to appeal. In this circumstance, it’s vital to work with a passionate social security attorney who will fight for your benefits. It’s important to act fast, especially with the increased wait times that have resulted from the SSA layoffs.
As one of the top 100 disability law firms in the country, Wettermark Keith has the experience to help you appeal your SSDI denial and provide the necessary evidence to win your case. Reach out to our team to get started with your appeal process, and we’ll work with you every step of the way.
Ready to work together? Contact us today for a free consultation.
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