New figures are out about the Social Security backlog (September 2008 issue of the Social Security Forum):

• The number of cases waiting for a decision at Social Security reached a record high of 767,000. 
• The average wait time is 532 days, with wait times varying between 283 days and 943 days (just under three years).

In my own experience, Colorado cases are processed a bit faster than the national average: I see wait times are approximately 12-18 months (365- 545 days),  with most cases having a hearing scheduled around the 14 months after a request for hearing this filed.

Funding for Social Security for the first six months of fiscal year 2009 (which began on October 1, 2008), is at fiscal year 2008 levels.

In other words,  Social Security will not receive any additional funds for the first six months of fiscal year 2009, greatly limiting Social Security’s ability to deal with the backlog. 

Source: NOSSCR Forum September 2008.