Long Wait Times Plague Social Security Disability Decisions

With a million hearings pending, many wait more than two years and some die waiting for a hearing. MIAMI — Diabetes, arthritis and open-heart surgery have kept Sherice Bennett from working, but she can’t afford her medicine and became homeless while waiting for more than two years for a chance to convince a judge that she qualifies for federal disability benefits. Maria Ruiz also is waiting to appeal her denial; meanwhile, she’s been in and out of psychiatric wards since being diagnosed as bipolar, and hasn’t been able to buy her meds since August. Still others die waiting.