The current word that we have received from the Social Security Administration (SSA) about the possible government shutdown is that hearing offices and permanent remote sites will continue to hold Social Security Disability and SSI hearings if a shutdown occurs. SSA's hearings office is called the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, ODAR. We are told that ODARs will hold hearings, but staffing will only be Administrative Law Judges (ALJ's) and security personnel. Contract employees, like hearing assistants and vocational experts will also not be affected by a shutdown.
So, for now, it appears that hearings will go on. Who knows how long it will take for decisions to get written, but our firm and our clients are appearing at hearings next week as planned.
Copyright (c) 2011 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.
