RICHMOND, Va – Earl Barry has faced a challenging and disheartening experience trying to apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Barry, who has been struggling with health issues including severe pneumonia and a heart condition, applied for disability in October 2022 but was denied. A second application in December 2023 also resulted in denial, with the SSA citing a “medical reason” for the rejection.
Barry was confused about why his application was denied and contacted the SSA, only to find out that the issue was not with his medical forms but with his application form, which the SSA claimed was missing. In March 2024, a reconsideration request was filed by Premiere Disability on Barry’s behalf. However, delays have been significant, with the SSA taking an average of seven months to respond. Barry was recently informed of additional delays due to mishandling of his appeal.
Financially strained, Barry has lost his home to foreclosure and is now facing homelessness. He has no income and is at risk of living in his car. Barry’s situation echoes the struggles of others, like Ed Heavener from Henrico County, who also faced long waits and severe stress due to SSA delays.
SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley testified before Congress, acknowledging the agency’s crisis due to underfunding and understaffing. He noted that processing times have more than doubled compared to a decade ago, with record numbers of pending cases.
Feeling that the system is both confusing and unsympathetic, Barry believes lawmakers should act to improve the process. CBS 6 contacted the SSA on Barry’s behalf, leading to a review of his case and assurance that no paperwork is missing. Barry continues to wait for a decision on his reconsideration request.