The demand for Social Security payment is soaring as the baby boomer generation becomes older.

But instead of making it easier for the baby boomers to access services, the Social Security Administration is closing field offices and reducing services to the public.

The New York Times reported on a recent report by the Senate Special Committee on Aging. It revealed the says the agency “closed more than two dozen field offices in the last year, generally without considering the needs of communities and without consulting beneficiaries or field office managers.”

There appeared to be little logic behind many of the office closures. In deciding it should close field offices, the Social Security Administration “excludes both its own managers and the affected public,” and the decisions often appear arbitrary, the report stated.

Little attention has been paid to the closure program but it is widespread. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, the committee’s senior Republican, said that despite a growing caseload, “in the past five years, Social Security has closed 64 of approximately 1,245 field offices — the largest field office reduction in its history — and shuttered 533 temporary mobile offices.”

Criticism of the closure program was bipartisan. Senator Bill Nelson, a Democrat from Florida who chaired the committee, commented:  “Seniors are not being served well when you arbitrarily close offices and reduce access to services.”

The closure program means claimants will find it more and more difficult to apply for disability benefits, or appeal rejected disability claims.

The Social Security Administration has blamed budget crunches as well as a lack of resources for the increased number of closures. In practice the closure program means more and more seniors are being forced to access online services to get help for their Social Security benefits claims, instead of walking into an office. Although many of us now use the Internet to access services, seniors are typically less likely to use online services and may experience more difficulties.

The closure program leaves about 1,235 field offices still open, but hours have been reduced at many of them, so that the agency can continue to keep these offices running while maintaining control over its finances.

Even if you can find an office that’s still open the process of filing for social security benefits is not a straightforward one.  Last year, approximately 3 million people applied for Social Security disability benefits, but two-thirds of them were denied, because most applicants fail to prove that they’re disabled and can’t work.

From the outset officials will want to decide if your injury is severe enough to receive benefits.  They will review your case comprehensively, asking such questions such as whether you are able to work, are you currently employed, did you receive medical treatment ?

At a time of reduced resources on behalf of the SSA, the number of claims filed is increasing. In 2013 more than 2.6 million claims were filed and the SSA was not equipped to deal with the big rise in claims. If you are having difficulty making a claim, you should contact an experienced Marietta social security disability attorney. We will provide you with a free consultation on how you can maximize your chances of a favorable result. Call the Keener Law Firm today at 770–955‑3000.