I was recently at a meeting for the Social Security Administration new pilot program that will allow the people involved in this program to access the SSA file through the Internet.  It is expected it will be available to all representatives in about a year.  I am very excited about this new program and I have mentioned it in earlier posts.  The one disappointment I have with the program is that it does not yet allow us to see the file by Internet at the District Office or Appeals Council level.  For now it is limited to cases at the Hearing level.  It should eventually include all levels of the process but for now the plan is to focus on those cases at the Office of Adjudication and Review.  The advantage of access to the file by Internet is that I will no longer have to wait for the hearing office to send me the file on a CD.  This allows me to look at the file as soon as it gets to the ODAR office.  I expect there will be some bugs to work out along the way which is why it is starting as a pilot program.  As can be imagined it is easier to fix any problems and make sure the access is secure starting with a few representatives as compared to thousands.  I will update from time to time how the program is going.  I was also happy to learn that lawyers and representatives will be allowed to set up video hearings from their offices for Social Security Disability cases.  The lawyers and representatives that decide to do this will have to buy all the equipment necessary on thier own and have the site checked by SSA to make sure it is secure.   

I will be updating the new statistics for approval and denial rates at the application and reconsideration level.  I will also be updating how long cases are taking at the hearing offices or ODARs for the entire country.  Some of the medical listing of impairment also need to be updated and I will try and do all of this as fast as possible to keep the website up to date.  I will continue to try and update the website as new material becomes available.  I also will continue to try and provide more information on this site that I think will be helpful for those trying to get SSDI and SSI.  I also will be updating any information on Veteran's Compensation claims.  As always I hope this information is helpful and that you are successful in your claim for disability benefits.