Have you applied for Social Security Disability benefits recently? Are you appealing a denied claim? If you’ve been frustrated with the seemingly endless hold times on the telephone and other problems dealing with your claim, you’re not alone. New research suggests that, here in Western New York and nationwide, the SSD system has a lot of problems – and it might be getting worse.
Worse than Ever in 2026?
That’s not to say that dealing with the Social Security Administration, which administers SSD benefits, was easy and convenient before 2025. For years, the SSA has been notorious for making applicants and appellants wait weeks for an appointment and wait on hold for an hour or more to get ahold of somebody on the phone. Most of all, the SSA has typically rejected most applications for SSD benefits.
But a series of staffing and policy changes enacted by the White House starting in January 2025 appear to have greatly increased frustration among people who need SSD benefits due to a disabling injury or illness that makes working impossible. These changes include significant cuts in staffing of local SSA offices and ending the option of making a claim entirely over the phone. Ever since, getting approved for SSD – and even filing a claim or appeal – has become perhaps as tough as it’s ever been in the history of the SSD program.
Survey Comments: ‘It’s Gotten a Lot Worse’
The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund recently released the results of a survey it conducted of various stakeholders in SSD, including applicants, advocates, and attorneys. Responses included:
- One SSD attorney said, “There’s never been a time when I could call up my local office [and] immediately talk to someone… But, I will say that in the last year, it’s gotten a lot worse.”
- According to another lawyer, only the days of COVID-19 lockdowns are comparable. “Not since 2020 have we had such phone issues as we did in [2025]; 2025 is the next most egregious to 2020.”
- Low SSA office staffing levels have been a problem for years. “It’s always been difficult to reach Social Security. Even before this current administration, Social Security had published that they’re at their lowest staffing level in 50 years, but the highest applications,” said one benefits specialist. Still, another observer believes the current administration is trying to financially “starve” SSA out of its ability to review claims and appeals.
These issues could impact your application or appeal, but getting approved for SSD benefits is still possible. Working with an experienced SSD attorney can make a huge difference. Your lawyer can prepare your application or appeal for you, and deal with the SSA office on your behalf. The attorneys and staff of Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, are prepared to help you cut through the challenges of an SSD case. Besides handling the details of your claim, we can answer your questions and advise you of what to expect next, reducing your anxiety.
