Reduction In April OHO Receipts Probably Linked To Covid-19

      This was obtained from Social Security by the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR) and published in its newsletter, which is not available online to non-members. It is basic operating statistics for Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations. Click on the image to view full size.

     At my firm the number of requests for hearing went back up to something like normal in May but I don't think that will last. Many, many cases are on hold at Disability Determination Services (DDS) now waiting for that date when consultative examinations (CEs) can be scheduled once again.

     By this point, I think it's time to fish or cut bait. Either try to schedule the CEs or make decisions without them. I don't think the CE situation will change fundamentally until there's a vaccine for Covid-19 and early next year is the soonest that blessed day might arrive. DDS can't keep holding onto these cases for such an indefinite period. We need to get past the mindset that Covid-19 will magically disappear in the next few weeks. Not gonna happen.