SSA ALJ Data Goes Pulbic

March 11, 2010

Author: Catherine M. Callery (Kate) | Louise M. Tarantino

Prior editions of this newsletter have reported on Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) statistics that have been obtained by various news organizations under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Advocates have pored over the statistics, usually confirming their own anecdotal assessments of various ALJ approval and denial rates.  Now the Social Security Administration (SSA) itself is publishing this information.

SSA Commissioner Michael J. Astrue announced in January that the agency is making new data about beneficiaries and the agency's disability and hearing processes available to the public.  The new data supports the President’s Transparency and Open Government initiative.  Information about ALJ decisions, hearing office waiting times, and more can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/appeals/publicusefiles.html.

According to Commissioner Astrue, “These new datasets are just the beginning of our efforts.  In February we will launch our Open Government webpage that will include improved access to our data in a variety of formats.  In April we will publish our Open Government plan.  Let me also reassure all Americans that while our goal is to become more open and transparent, we will continue to vigilantly protect the personal information the public entrusts to us.  We will ensure that transparency does not put that information at risk.”