John Kuhnlein is attorney representing Social Security disability claimants.

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Opinion by John Kuhnlein

Nationwide, those persons who have become disabled and can no longer work are finding it harder and harder to get Social Security benefits. In some jurisdictions, applicants for disability benefits wait more than two years to have their claim processed.

The Tucson Social Security hearing office ranks among the top 10 of all such offices nationwide. While that is good news, Southern Arizonans must still wait an average of almost one full year. Such delays can cause applicants serious hardship.

For example, applicants could lose their homes while they wait for a decision. These financial pressures only add to the problems of people suffering from disabling medical conditions.

In a memorandum that Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue sent to his employees on Oct. 2, he noted that Social Security offices are at their lowest staffing level in three decades.

This is particularly problematic given the anticipated rise in claims as the baby-boomer generation ages. Older workers are more prone to disability than younger workers. The number of disabled workers applying for benefits doubled in the past 10 years.

As the number of claims rises, so to does the backlog of cases waiting adjudication. Social Security reports that the backlog has doubled in the past six years. If these trends continue, the backlog could reach 1 million by 2010. Recent figures show a backlog in Arizona of more than 4,500 claims.

Not surprisingly, one of the principal problems with the Social Security disability system is money. President Bush has proposed increasing funding for the disability programs by 3 percent in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. Congressional proposals call for increases between 4 percent and 5 percent.

Regardless of which increase becomes law, it is unlikely that these levels of funding will permit Social Security to begin to reduce the backlog of pending claims. The current funding for Social Security is nearly $1 billion less than what the agency believes it requires.

Social Security disability is not welfare. Applicants must have worked regularly for years to be eligible. While employed, applicants made contributions to Social Security through their payroll taxes. It is unfair for the government to have such lengthy delays when applicants seek the benefits they have paid for and to which they are entitled.

We would not tolerate such behavior from a private insurance company. We have the right to expect better treatment for such vulnerable citizens.

Social Security employees are dedicated and hardworking. Given the proper resources, they can eliminate the current backlog of disability claims.

Please take a moment to contact your congressional representative as well as Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl. Ask them to push for appropriate funding for Social Security so that Southern Arizonans do not have to wait almost a year to have their disability claims processed.