The nation’s top Social Security official says benefits for tens of thousands of people with severe disabilities are being delayed by furloughs and layoffs of state employees around the country.
The official, Michael J. Astrue, the commissioner of Social Security, said Sunday that “governors are hurting their own states, their own citizens, and increasing the backlog of claims” by furloughing workers who make disability decisions. via nytimes.com
He argues that, since states are reimbursed for the salaries of the state employees doing those jobs, as well as the benefits paid to people with disabilities, no money is saved by furloughing or laying off the employees. The backlog, causing years of waiting, was addressed by $500 million included in the stimulus bill.
2 comments:
This is very disappointing and scary for people who rely on this income--they don't have other means to support themselves.
Thanks, Ruth, for keeping us informed about this kind of news.
Frida-
thanks for reading!
Yup, very disappointing. The backlog is so long and one employee said if he's furloughed for two days, that's 40 fewer cases he reviews. (20 a day).
It's another consequence stemming from lack of coordination of state-federal resources in utilizing stimulus monies.
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