Struggles with Social Security—Pandemic Fallout

Struggles with Social Security—Pandemic Fallout The Social Security Administration’s efforts to serve the disabled public seem to be falling well short of the mark as the continuing fallout from the pandemic becomes more evident.

 At the outset of the COVID pandemic, Social Security closed its offices and resorted to remote working. Local offices began to reopen to the public in April 2022. Returning to helping with in-person visits has proven to be a struggle. The numbers are not impressive thus far.

According to this Washington Post article, Social Security is serving barely more than half of the applicants for services it assisted prior to COVID.

Field office phone numbers have been replaced by a National 800 Number, forcing callers to lengthy hold queues. Then, as the Post reports, “during the first week in September, 21 percent of disabled claimants waited 29 to 45 days for a phone appointment and another 24 percent more than 45 days.”

Social Security continues to urge the public to use its website to file applications, find forms, and get updates. The problem is that disability online applications can be a complex and confusing ordeal. Navigating complex websites, enduring lengthy phone calls, and filing virtual paperwork are simply not realistic options for many disabled persons who don’t have the computer skills to participate in the online application process.

Social Security commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi predicts the remote working conditions will last through March 2023 at least. An AFGE official was quoted as saying, “We recognize we are a front-facing agency, but do we need to be in the office five days a week? Not really.”

 That’s why Goss & Fentress has established an application project to help disabled persons apply for disability—our staff is ready to help. Contact us here on this website or by phone and we’ll get to work for you