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House investigators: Disability judges are too lax

Claims for benefits have increased by 25 percent since 2007, pushing the fund that supports the disability program to the brink of insolvency.

By Stephen Ohlemacher | Updated on June 25, 2013
The Social Security Administration's main campus is seen in Woodlawn, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

WASHINGTON — Social Security is approving disability benefits at strikingly high rates for people whose claims were rejected by field offices or state agencies, according to House investigators. Compounding the situation, the agency often fails to do required follow-up reviews months or years later to make sure people are still disabled.

Claims for benefits have increased by 25 percent since 2007, pushing the fund that supports the disability program to the brink of insolvency, which could mean reduced benefits. Social Security officials say the primary driver of the increase is demographic, mainly a surge in baby boomers who are more prone to disability as they age but are not quite old enough to qualify for retirement benefits.

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