As Proposed by Commissioner Michael J. Astrue

Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/06/2007 -- Presently, the said process is operating in region of Boston comprising several states namely, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Connecticut.

The QDD process involves a predictive model that analyzes several definite elements of records contained in the electronic file of claims. Its function is to identify certain claims where data collated produce a high potentiality that the applicant is indeed disabled.

Additionally, it also identifies date where there is evidence that the claimants' contention can be obtained, easily and quickly.

According to Commissioner Astrue, "At my confirmation hearing, I promised to look closely at the disability changes we were testing in New England and implement nationally those things that were working well."

Furthermore, he enthused that, "we have seen the success of the QDD model in identifying cases that are most likely to be allowed. To date, 97 percent of the cases identified have been decided within 21 days and the average decision time is 11 days. We plan to build on the success of QDD by expanding it to all States because it is both efficient and compassionate for us to do so."

As of the present circumstances, the Social Security Administration receives an annual count of 2.5 million or more fresh disability cases. The QDD cases being handled in the Boston area is presently constituting a little less than 3% of all the new cases being handled. This is because the model cannot as yet gather wide variety of diseases enough to handle most of the cases.

Astrue has already given a commitment to expand the number of medical cases that can be decided using the model. The purpose is to make the turn out as high as possible while maintaining the level of accuracy.

Furthermore, Astrue said that he is committed to finding a process that is both fair and speedy as much as possible. As of now, Astrue gives great mind on the fact that the period many people spend waiting for the decision on their disability claim is unacceptable. Thus, their pursuance for newer and better systems and processes to improve their service on greater scale.

Los Angeles Social Security Law Attorney - If you have suffered an injury that has resulted in a disability, you may be able to collect compensation from Social Security. Our Los Angeles Social Security Law Attorneys are experts on what Social Security Administration requires for claiming Social Security Disability benefits and for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability claims. Please log on to http://www.socialsecuritylawattorney.com for our more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The Social Security's Board of Trustees, which is a bipartisan panel with six members overseeing the financial transactions being carried out by the Social Security Trust Funds Administration, released their Trustees Report for the year 2007 last Monday. This reinforced the predictions that the Social Security can no long pay in full the promised benefits to its future generations largely due to the changing demographics of the country.

Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/05/2007 -- According to U.S. Representative Ron Lewis (KY-02) of the Social Security's Ways and Means Subcommittee: "This report reminds us of why Social Security reform and overall entitlement reform is so important.

Moreover, he said, "the facts of this report are undeniable. Millions of baby boomers are nearing retirement while the costs necessary to sustain Social Security and Medicare are growing exponentially. This report should refocus our concern and reinvigorate our efforts to address the serious challenges these programs face."

According to the SS Trustees' Report, the tax revenue on Social Security will start to fall short to provide for benefit costs starting in the year 2017. Furthermore, by the year 2041, the revenues intended for the trust fund will become exhausted. This means that the Social Security would only be sufficient in financing about 74% of its promised benefits.

According to the Trustees report, they have set a projection of 27% cut on the SS benefits. If not, then the payroll tax need to be increased by at least 50% in order for the Social Security to pay the full benefits, as promised.

Lewis said that the Social Security's issue is a neither a Republican nor a Democrat issue. It needs to be an issue concerning every American. He also issued a challenge that they must not leave such non-reform choices like huge tax increases, massive benefit cuts and enormous deficits to the future generations.

Recently, Lewis initiated the Social Security Guarantee Plus Act, a legislation that would keep the safety net around Social Security and its promised benefits intact. The Act contains a Guarantee Plus plan which has three fundamental principles:

1. All workers must be treated fairly
2. Individuals must own and have control over their retirement funds
3. Social Security benefits is to be guaranteed fully for all Americans throughout the next 75 years and further without tax increases, benefits decrease and retirement age raise

He also challenged the members of Congress to set aside partisanship in their conduct of politics and "do what's best for today's seniors and tomorrow's retirees. Recent history shows that comprehensive reform is possible. Congress needs to work together to explore every possible option to restore confidence in Social Security and ensure the solvency of our most important entitlement programs."

Los Angeles Social Security Law Attorney - If you have suffered an injury that has resulted in a disability, you may be able to collect compensation from Social Security. Our Los Angeles Social Security Law Attorneys are experts on what Social Security Administration requires for claiming Social Security Disability benefits and for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability claims.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The United States Census Bureau reported on August 6, 2007 that during the year 2002, around 18 percent of the American people claim of having a disability. On the other hand, about 12 percent have severe or serious disability.

Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/04/2007 -- Upon their agency's release of the said report, Director Louis Kincannon of the Census Bureau stated that such would be helpful for the planning and decision-making of agencies involved in persons with disabilities.

Kincannon said that the persons with disabilities are important sectors in our society and their report's "demographic snapshots" may be essential in the assessment of their needs.

The report was entitled Americans with Disabilities: 2002. It was accumulated from reports of the Survey of Income and Program Participation. From this survey, it was ascertained that around 51.2 million American people claimed of having a disability. Meanwhile, 32.5 million of this number has severe disability.

This number of persons with disability was divided into age groups of 21 to 64 years old and 25 to 64 years old.

Of the people ages 21 to 64 with disability, 56 percent have been employed at least a year before the survey interviews were conducted on them.

However, those with the status of severe disability had the lowest employment rate. Those with not too serious disabilities have 82% employment rate.

Of the 25 to 64 years old age bracket, 32 percent of them have disability but not too severed, 22 percent of those with severe disability received a college degree.

The report also generated other findings:

- Increased or greater likelihood of having Medicaid or Medicare coverage for those with serious disability
- Description of health status between fair or poor
- Receipt of assistance from public and charity organizations
- Receiving household income lower than $20, 000 annually

The Bureau of Census report defined the person with disability to have difficulty in performing certain activities that involve being able to see or hear, taking a bath or accomplishing light household tasks. They may also be persons with particular conditions like autism or Alzheimer's disease.

On the other hand, the report defines those with severe or serious disability to be wholly incapable of performing these activities and tasks without personal assistance. They may also be those with serious health conditions.

Los Angeles Social Security Law Attorney - If you have suffered an injury that has resulted in a disability, you may be able to collect compensation from Social Security. Our Los Angeles Social Security Law Attorneys are experts on what Social Security Administration requires for claiming Social Security Disability benefits and for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability claims. Please log on to http://www.socialsecuritylawattorney.com for our more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm