Social Security Administration number of employees

Over the past ten years the Social Security Administration really has not grown. In fact it has less employees now then in 1998. Given that there are more claims and more people retiring or disabled now then ten years ago you have to wonder how they can stay ahead of the situation. Well...they cannot. Delays are routine in the processing of claims/hearings and benefits but with less employees now it is difficult to catch up. Even after a hearing it can take weeks for the decision and still more weeks for the first check to be sent.