Many do not realize that federal Social Security disability claims are processed by state workers before the denial that sends them to a judge. As more states are decimated by falling tax revenues, there have been staffing redductions, layoffs and reductions on hours worked. While there have been very small improvements in the backlogs at the hearing offices, now the delays are manifesting at the initial and reconsideration stages. I guess that is one way to improve the hearing office statistics: reduce thenumber of cases being sent there! Here is an article that discusses the impact of these RIF’s:<a>