This monologue podcast focuses on the critical staffing shortages within the Social Security Administration (SSA) and their impact on benefit processing times. The speaker, an attorney, analyzes a November 2024 OIG report highlighting the SSA's low employee numbers, high attrition rates, and inadequate human capital planning. He details significant employee losses in various SSA regions, particularly within the Disability Determination Services (DDS), resulting in extensive delays in disability claim processing—currently 14-19 months, potentially reaching 24 months. The attorney concludes that the situation will likely worsen in 2025 due to limited funding and suggests that increased compensation is necessary to attract and retain qualified personnel. For example, he cites one region losing over 650 employees while only being authorized to hire 259 replacements.
