Imposing a time limit to submit evidence and then closing the record is inconsistent with the legislative intent to keep the process informal and with the philosophy of the program. Additionally, closing the record will not ultimately improve the process from an administrative perspective. A claimant would be required to file a new application merely to have new evidence considered, even though that evidence was relevant to the recent prior claim. As a result, SSA can expect to handle more applications, unnecessarily clogging the front end of the process. Further, we anticipate there will be additional administrative costs for SSA since the cost of handling a new application is higher than reviewing new evidence in the context of a pending claim.
Many beneficiaries fear losing medical insurance.
They fear that a brief episode of employment will terminate their Social Security benefits, even if they are unable to sustain the employment. Many do not understand the provisions in the current law for trial work periods and extended periods of eligibility. SSA needs to provide more information and answers to specific questions on an on-going basis for those on the disability rolls. New legislation is necessary to provide the foundation for beneficiaries to test their capacity to return to employment. We commend the Subcommittee for holding this hearing today to look at the Social Security disability appeals process.