With wait times lasting longer than two years for a decision, judges who hear Social Security disability cases are experiencing a rise in violent threats from frustrated Americans. At least 80 threats to kill or harm administrative law judges or staff were made during the past year, representing an 18% increase over the previous reporting period.

 

According to the Associated Press, one claimant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, called his congressman’s office to say he was going to “take his guns and shoot employees” in the Social Security hearing office. A person from Eugene, Oregon, who was denied benefits said he was “ready to join the Taliban and hurt some people.” Another claimant denied benefits told a judge in Greenville, South Carolina, that he was a sniper in the military and “would go take care of the problem.”

 

Almost two million people are waiting to learn if they qualify for benefits.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Social Security Judges Facing More Violent Threats (by Sam Hananel, Associated Press)