Only 50,275 claimants were allowed to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in November, a low not seen since December 2006. That’s the last time awards dropped below 50,000 in any one month.
November’s total was a decline of 23 percent from 65,121 claimants awarded benefits in October, and about 11 percent lower compared to a year ago in November 2015.
The Social Security Administration and other federal agencies are operating on a continuing resolution until Friday, when the temporary measure passed by Congress prior to the presidential election expires. SSA officials have stated that reduced funding will continue to worsen customer service and disability backlogs across the U.S.
