Will The Sequester Affect Social Security Disability Benefit Claims?

March 20,2013

With thousands of federal employees facing the requirement of taking furloughed time off due to sequestration, many feel this action may do nothing but harm people. According to the Shelton Herald, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro feels the elderly and disabled may be some of the hardest hit by this sort of shut down.

The sequester will require employees of the Social Security Administration, who typically process claims for Social Security Disability and retirement benefits, to take unpaid time off from work in an effort to meet budgetary constraints. For the past several years, the agency has been operating at roughly 8 percent below budget already. DeLauro says the combination of a lack of both funding and now manpower will only further lengthen wait times for benefit claims processing.

DeLauro goes on to explain the elderly will be most affected by the furlough. She claims the Social Security program is an integral part of keeping the elderly above financial poverty levels. The Congresswoman went on to point out how the program had helped decrease the number of citizens below poverty level from 30 percent in the 1950’s to around 10 percent today.

The Social Security Disability Attorneys with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin recognize how the sequester may affect a person’s ability to have a claim for Social Security benefits processed. The firm urges anyone preparing to file a claim to contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.