The Social Security Administration recently released its data regarding the administrative process in making decisions on benefit applications.  The unfortunate truth is that Ohio ranks at the bottom in the amount of time it takes to obtain a hearing decision on an application for Social Security benefits.  The average time to obtain a hearing decision in Ohio is 19.7 months.  In contrast, the nationwide average of 14.7 months.  Thus, Ohioans are waiting an average of five months longer than the rest of the country for their hearing decisions.

"In response to this huge delay, our practice is to request what is called an 'on the record' decision whenever possible," said Toledo attorney Trevor Van Berkom.  "In many cases, we have ample evidence to support a favorable decision.  We get proactive and present the case in writing to the Hearing Office in an attempt to win the claim without the long wait for a hearing.  It's good for our clients to get a result much sooner, and it's good for Social Security in cutting down the backlog of cases waiting for hearings."

In the Toledo area, the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review is preparing to expand its capacity greatly.  It's understood that as many as ten new Administrative Law Judges will be assigned to Toledo in an effort to increase efficiency and reduce the backlog of claims waiting for decisions.