After 43 days, the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States finally ended on November 13. Since then, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has resumed normal hours and is back to work processing Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. There was already an existing backlog of approximately 940,000 claims (reported by the SSA in July 2025), so all initial claims and applications made just prior to or after the shutdown are being added to this already long queue.
If you are considering filing an initial claim or appealing a claim that has been denied yourself, this backlog should be a red flag — save your “Do-It-Yourself” skills for other situations.
Our firm has the experience and knowledge to reduce your wait time, lower your chances of denial, and make sure your claim is filed with the greatest accuracy. We know the SSA’s timelines and what they require as medical evidence of disability. This ensures you won’t miss a deadline or forget to include important evidence. All forms will be submitted quickly and accurately, and a representative from our office will be in regular contact with the SSA regarding your claim.
Claimants who filed before the shutdown should be concerned that the SSA still has their application or appeal; what the status of their case is; how long it might take for the SSA to get to their file; and how they can get their claim moving again. Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys has worked with the SSA through previous shutdowns, and our prior experiences have shown us how to make a difference for our clients. We’ll help you avoid common errors. We are responsive to our clients and to the needs of the SSA, and we have prepared literally thousands of claimants for hearings, with a significant record of success — gaining benefits for more than 22,000 clients.
If you or a loved one has become too disabled to continue working, contact us regarding your SSD claim. This is not the time — or the circumstance — to be a “DIYer.”