Social Security Disability: Better Planning, Management & Evaluation Could Help Address Backlogs

December 2007 Backlogged disability cases in the Social Security Administration (SSA) processing system doubled between 1997 and 2006. At the end of fiscal 2006, approximately 1.5 million disability claims were awaiting a decision, of which about 576,000 cases were backlogged. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) cited substantial growth in the numbers of disability claims, staff losses and turnover, and management weaknesses as contributing to the backlog problem. GAO recommended that SSA monitor the reconsideration stage for backlogs and better plan, execute, and evaluate initiatives to address backlogs . . .