Disability benefit claims surging

This Associated Press article outlined some signs of the times. "The agency denies nearly two-thirds of initial claims, but claimants disputing a decision can appeal to an administrative law judge. That process is so cumbersome, nearly 750,000 people are waiting for a hearing. Some wait years to resolve their claim, but about 61 percent of those who appeal are ultimately approved for benefits."

The key to success, ultimately, is the determination of the claimant and the competence of their representative. The problem, one of the problems, is that it takes a long time, even with an attorney pushing to make things happen.