News

Idaho Nationally Recognized for Handling Social Security Disability Claims

The Idaho Department of Labor agency charged with evaluating the medical eligibility of Social Security disability claims has received national recognition for its speed and productivity.

The Idaho Disability Determinations Service ranked first nationally for the 2007 federal budget year in expediting claims. The Idaho office processed claims in an average of 58 to 60 days, depending on the type of claim, while the national processing time averaged over 84 days.

The efficiency was achieved in the face of a 3.6 percent increase in cases to nearly 17,000 and a reduction in the number of adjudicators during the year from 26 to 21.

Processing almost 320 cases in an average week won the agency the second highest productivity rating in the country.

Because of the agency's reputation, the Social Security Administration has asked Idaho to work with other states to improve their operations. Between November and May, Idaho processed nearly 1,200 Utah cases. It was the second year in a row the Idaho office helped reduce the case backlog in another state.

"The staff's timely, efficient determinations reflect their commitment to top quality service for disabled Idahoans at the time they need assistance," Idaho Disability Determinations Service Administrator Nancy Vazquez said.

In late August, the agency agreed to handle 300 cases assigned to the regional Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, which has been struggling with an ever increasing case backlog.

The federal government's annual evaluation of the Idaho operation last summer cited "an extremely high level of performance" and commitment from managers and staff to "the best possible service to the citizens of Idaho."