United Spinal CEO Calls Social Security Delays ‘Unconscionable’ and Urges Citizen Action
Jackson Heights, NY March 21––The delays facing applicants for disability benefits at the Social Security Administration are unconscionable and lawmakers could remedy the situation by voting for the full amount the agency has requested in the FY 2008 budget, according to Paul J. Tobin, President and CEO of United Spinal Association.
In an urgent call for action, United Spinal recently received over 1,000 responses from concerned citizens across the nation eager to help alert Congress to the gravity of the situation. “We are asking lawmakers to ensure that the FY 2008 budget includes the full $10.44 billion that the Social Security Commissioner requested for staffing and administrative expenses––not the lesser amount in the Proposed Budget for FY 2008,” Tobin said.
“Unless the Proposed 2008 Budget is increased, Social Security will lose nearly 7,000 full time positions at a time when there were over 700,000 applications for disability benefits pending in Social Security offices last year.”
“We want to build on the groundswell of concern that our call for action revealed and ensure that our senators and representatives understand the importance of properly funding our Social Security system. To this end, United Spinal has established an automated system allowing anyone to quickly send a personal e-mail message to his or her legislator.” Citizens are urged to visit www.unitedspinal.org/advocacy/ssa/ and take advantage of this convenient electronic advocacy.
“Applicants for disability benefits now wait an average of nearly 500 days for a hearing decision on whether they will receive disability benefits. In some Social Security offices the average wait is over 880 days. Forcing people to wait this long may result in some citizens losing their homes, going without medical care, or even dying. These delays are creating a crisis for people with disabilities and senior citizens,” Tobin noted.
“United Spinal calls on all Americans to remind their legislators that the health and safety of our seniors and our citizens with disabilities––especially those returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan––is a major priority.”
United Spinal Association is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Our mission is to provide expertise, create access to resources, and strengthen hope, thereby enabling people with spinal cord injuries and disorders to fulfill their potential as active members of their communities.
For more information please visit www.unitedspinal.org or call 800-404-2898.