By Leada Gore
al.com
(TNS)
Improvements to the benefits claims process have cut through the delays and bureaucracy for thousands of Americans with disabilities, according to new data from the Social Security Administration.
The changes affect what’s known as “disability adjudication,” the process by which the agency reviews medical records and evidence to determine whether an applicant meets the legal definition of disability. The process can be long and complicated and is a source of frustration for many applicants.
But changes with SSA have allowed the agency to cut the pending backlog of initial claims by more than 30%—from 1.27 million in June 2024 to less than 830,000 now. Also, the average processing time for initial claims is now shorter by almost 45 days compared to this point in 2025, and claims clearances are up 10%.
“For too long, Americans with disabilities have endured lengthy delays for a decision on the support they desperately need,” SSA Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said. “Social Security is improving how we process disability claims, leveraging smarter technology, stronger federal-state partnerships, and a relentless focus on efficiency.”
According to the latest agency statistics, more than 8.6 million people in the U.S. received disability benefits totaling almost $12.9 billion each month. In January 2026, the average disability payment was $1,816 per month.
What’s changed?
The improvements have come through the consolidation of different parts of SSA involved in the disability process, including 52 state-level Disability Determination Services and 160 federal hearing sites. The structure is now overseen by a single chief of disability adjudication who reports directly to the commissioner, reducing the layers of bureaucracy involved in the process.
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On the technology front, stacks of medical files have been converted into text that’s searchable by computer, speeding up the process of evaluating and adjudicating claims.
All disability-related processing—from initial determinations through civil actions—is now consolidated within a single unified component. There has also been what the agency calls a “significant increase” in state-to-state collaboration, including states working together to handle processing of initial claims, reconsideration of cases or continuing disability reviews.
Photo credit: Veronique D/iStock
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Victor munion March 4 2026 at 7:31 am
Am I getting more disability money