Social Security Disability Program Embraces HiTechnology

September 6, 8:09 PM
By Paul Proto
Tampa Social Security Disability Examiner
via examiner.com

It is estimated that 3.3 million claims for disability benefits will be filed by year's end. The disability programs have evolved since their inception. It is now it is an imperative in order to deal with the growing number of claim expected as the "babyboomers" reach the so called illness and injury prone years. SSA continues to push the envelope in the practice of embracing technology. The latest announcement, heralding the collaboration between SSA and Microsoft, involves using their software "Health Vault" as a tool to collect medical information to expedite disability claims. http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/ms-healthvault-pr.htm

It is not only the prospect of adjudicating the number of cases anticipated that concerns the program's designers. The back log of claims has resulted in severe delays requiring some individual to wait of up to 3 years for a disability determination. Another technological solution was recently described by the Commissioner of SSA. "This year, through Compassionate Allowances and our Quick Disability Determination process, over 100,000 Americans with severe disabilities will be approved for Social Security disability benefits in a matter of days rather than the months and years it can sometimes take," said Commissioner Astrue.

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