Larson, Davis: Congress Must Fund SSA to Prevent Disability Backlog From Skyrocketing

Washington, D. C. - Today, Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) and Family and Worker Support Subcommittee Ranking Member Danny K. Davis (IL-07) released the following statement in response to a study by the Social Security Administration (SSA) Chief Actuary. The study showed that the number of people stuck in a backlog, awaiting a decision on their application for disability benefits, will skyrocket from 1 million to 4 million Americans by 2033 if SSA does not receive the additional funding it needs to dedicate more staff to process these claims.

"More than one million Americans are currently waiting for a decision on their benefit application, and without increased funding, the backlog will only continue to grow, leaving our fellow Americans without the income they desperately need," said Larson and Davis. "People have died waiting for their disability benefits. We cannot let this unacceptable backlog continue. Congress must ensure the Social Security Administration has the resources it needs to properly serve the American people under the steadfast leadership of Commissioner O'Malley. The SSA already has one of the lowest administrative overheads, yet Republicans continue to push for cuts. Democrats stand firm in delivering for the American people by ensuring they can receive the benefits they deserve and, under the leadership of Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, will continue to support efforts by President Biden to increase SSA's budget and provide relief to people applying for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits."

Since 2010, the number of Social Security beneficiaries has increased by approximately 25 percent, yet SSA's administrative funding for basic operations has fallen by approximately 19 percent, after adjusting for inflation. As a result, in 2022 the agency's staffing hit a 25-year low, and delays in customer service are happening across-the-board. Today, over one million Americans applying for disability benefits are now waiting over 8 months, on average, for an initial decision - a historic backlog.

Last week, Larson and Davis sent a letter alongside nearly 100 of their Democratic colleagues to Appropriations leaders to advocate for increased funding for the Social Security Administration to improve customer service and more quickly process benefit claims.