The Social Security Administration released its most recent statistics for how long claimants are waiting for hearings in Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases.  SSA’s current statistics run through January 2012.  Nationally, there are 165 Hearing Offices, called “ODAR” by the SSA.   That stands for Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.   ODARs are ranked by “processing time.”   Processing time means how many days a person has to wait for a hearing to occur after they file an appeal requesting a hearing by an Administrative Law Judge.

Out of the 165 ODARS, here is how Florida’s ODARs are doing:

• Orlando:     Ranked 23 out of 165 — average processing time = 287 days
• Jacksonville:     Ranked 96 out of 165 — average = 367 days
• Tampa:      Ranked 105 out of 165 — average = 372 days
• Miami:     Ranked 120 out of 165 — average = 387 days
• Ft. Lauderdale:     Ranked 133 out of 165 — average = 399 days
• St. Petersburg:     Ranked 144 out of 165 — average = 416 days
• Ft. Myers:     Ranked 146 out of 165 — average = 424
• Tallahassee:     Ranked 148 out of 165 — average = 429 days

Those are still long waiting times to get a hearing.  Keep in mind that appealing for a hearing is the second appeal in SSA’s process to get SSDI or SSI.  The hearing appeal only comes after a person has to already be denied on their initial application and one appeal.  By the time someone files a Request for a Hearing, their claim has already been pending for at 3 to 7 months.  That means that Social Security is still taking about 2 years to process some SSDI and SSI claims in Florida from application to hearing decision.

Call Tampa Bay Social Security Disability Attorney John Tucker for a free consultation about your SSDI or SSI claim at (813) 594-5000 or (727) 572-5000.