[VWBeetle]

With the freedom of information act , can it be used to obtain statistics on denials of disability applications during the first go round ? I've googled till the keyboard ran out of ink , to no availe .

I'm just curious and thought I'd strike up a topic because it really seems no-one ever gets a SSD claim approved first go round .

[Julie]

When I lived in Houston the Chronicle did an excellent expose' on the Houston area ALJ's. Houston had at that time the lowest approvals in the whole US at 20 - 30 percent. My judge had a 24 percent approval...the lowest. Try searching the Chronicle website, but I think the article is too old.

[Julie]

This is a followup to the article

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/691904/posts

[Julie]

Hee Hee Hee...I found the article, but it is only in the archives and you must be a subscriber to search the archives. I guess they haven't noticed that we moved and cancelled the subscription. They do not allow copying and posting of their articles on other websites per their big disclaimer running across the bottom of the page. I'm going to respect that since my husband was their chief programmer for a couple of years.

Suffice to say the approval rating sucks!

[HeyJoe]

Social security says that it approves 37% at the initial application....that 22% of the remaining 63% who are not approved at the initial application, appeal to alj and that 16 of those 22 are successful.

[Denise G]

Hi Julie!

Do you know if it's common for Soc Sec to send people for a "Mental Status" exam when they first apply? And, I've been considering moving to Colo with family soon because on work comp ($720 a month now) I'm deep in debt. I didn't know I'd have to start over!

Thanks,

Denise

[Julie]

I don't know how common it is...I didn't have to do it.

Wish I could be of more help!

[caudaequinasyndrome]

i would think a lot depends on whether your injury /illness is a line item in ssdi.
maybe only 37% are line items, they are approved the first time.