Sequestration’s mandatory budget cuts are scheduled to take effect today. The press has reported that “Social Security will not be affected.”
This is not completely accurate.
The good news is that payment of benefits will not be affected for those already receiving disability benefits.
However, the sequestration cuts will affect all other aspects of SSA, including the day-to-day operations of field offices.
For claimants, it is likely to mean longer waits in field offices and for the 800-number to be answered, longer waits for initial decisions to be made (estimated at two weeks longer than usual) and longer waits for hearings to be scheduled (estimated at a month longer than usual).