For those individuals waiting for their Social Security Disability claims to be scheduled for a hearing, they are painfully aware of how long it is taking. President Obama has requested funding for 2017 that would allow Social Security to begin reducing the disability claims backlog and to reduce other agency service delays. This request for funding is being met with resistance by Congress.

If you or a friend or family member has or is suffering through this ridiculously long process, I urge you to contact your Congressional Representatives and urge them to vote to fully fund the Social Security Administrations operating budget, at the levels requested in the President’s 2017 Budget. The cost of this backlog is devastating to people with disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet while they wait for decisions in their cases. Without adequate funding, the wait times will only increase. We cannot afford a Social Security Administration that is underfunded and understaffed.

New York 24th Congressional District
John Katko
440 S. Warren Street. #711
Syracuse, New York 13202
315-423-5657
https://katko.house.gov/

New York 22nd Congressional District
Richard Hanna
49 Court Street Suite 230
Binghamton, New York 13901
315-723-0212

Utica Office:    258 Genesee Street
Utica, New York 13502
315-724-9740
http://hanna.house.gov/

New York 21st Congressional District
Elise Stefanik
88 Public Square
Suite A
Watertown, New York 13601
315-782-3150
https://stefanik.house.gov/

Sen. Charles Schumer
100 South Clinton Street
Room 841
Syracuse, New York 13261
315-423-5471
www.schumer.senate.gov

Sen Kristen Gillibrand
100 South Clinton Street
Room 1470
P.O. Box 7378
Syracuse, New York 13261
315-448-0470
www.gillibrand.senate.gov

NADR Legislative Committee Asks for Your Help.

Based on what we’re hearing from the Hill and the Administration, the NADR believes that it’s urgent for advocates reach out directly to their Members of Congress as soon as possible in support of adequate appropriations for the Social Security Administration (SSA). As you know, SSA’s disability hearings backlog is now at record levels, with over 1 million people waiting over 575 days, on average. The human cost of this backlog is horrific as people with disabilities struggle to pay their bills, get the supports and services they need, and make ends meet while waiting. Without adequate funding, this crisis will only become more severe.

President Obama has requested funding for 2017 that would allow Social Security to begin reducing the disability claims backlog and to reduce other agency service delays.

Call your Members of Congress. Tell them:

• I urge you to vote to fully fund the Social Security Administration’s operating budget, at the levels requested in President Obama’s 2017 budget.
• Today, over 1 million people with disabilities are waiting over 575 days on average for a hearing on their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability claims. This is an all-time high. Most people have little to no income while waiting for a hearing, and run the risk of financial ruin and worsening health the longer they wait.
• Social Security’s operating budget has been reduced by 10 percent from 2010 levels. Any further cuts will lead to even longer, more devastating waits and reduced service to the public.
• Americans cannot afford a Social Security Administration that is underfunded and understaffed.
• Please ensure that Social Security’s operating budget is fully funded for 2017 at levels the President has requested.

NADR Legislative Co-Chairs
Art Kaufman and Scot Whitaker