The Trump administration has already issued orders as to hiring freezes, meaning SSA and other agencies cannot create new positions or replace people who leave their positions. SSA’s budget is also likely to be cut. This will mean fewer ALJ’s to replace ALJ’s who die or retire and no more ALJ’s to reduce the huge backlog of cases awaiting hearings. There will also be no money to hire support staff for the ALJ’s and decision writers. It could also mean fewer employees at District/Field offices, shorter hours that these offices are open, less preparation for newer technology, etc. For those in the service area of the Miami Hearing Office, one of the offices with the longest waiting period from the request for hearing date, the waiting period is now approximately 23 months and could take much longer.
