Social Security Cuts Disability Claims Backlog by 30%: Here’s What’s Changed New data from the Social Security Administration shows significant progress in reducing delays for disability benefit claims, with the backlog of initial applications dropping by over 30% since June 2024. The agency attributes this improvement to reforms in its Disability Adjudication process, which reviews medical evidence to determine eligibility for disability benefits. These changes have shortened processing times and increased the number of claims resolved, marking a major shift in how the agency handles disability cases. The backlog of pending initial claims has fallen from 1.27 million in June 2024 to fewer than 830,000 as of early 2026. Additionally, the average time to process an initial claim has decreased by nearly 45 days compared to the same period in 2025. The agency also reported a 10% increase in the clearance rate for disability claims, reflecting faster decision-making and improved efficiency. SSA Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano highlighted the importance of these changes, stating that Americans with disabilities have long faced frustrating delays in receiving the support they need. “Social Security is improving how we process disability claims, leveraging smarter technology, stronger federal-state partnerships, and a relentless focus on efficiency,” he said. The reforms include restructuring the agency’s disability adjudication system, which now operates under a single Chief of Disability Adjudication who reports directly to the commissioner. This consolidation has streamlined the process by integrating 52 state-level Disability Determination Services and 160 federal hearing sites into a unified structure.#social_security_administration #frank_j_bisignano #disability_adjudication #disability_determination_services #disability_benefits
