The wait to process applications for Social Security disability benefits is so long that applicants frequently pass away before the Social Security Administration can approve or deny the request. It is a tragic outcome that no one should have to go through, especially at the hands of the federal government.

In fact, it happens so frequently that the Social Security Administration has developed a classification, known as DXDI, that it stamps on applications it dismisses because of death. Since 2005, Social Security officials have had to use that code more than 15,000 times.

The high unemployment rate and an aging U.S. population have sent the number of applications for Social Security disability skyrocketing. In 2011 alone, more than 3 million people applied for disability. By the fall, more than 770,000 who had been denied benefits were on a waiting list for an administrative law judge to hear their appeal.

SSA has drawn criticism from lawmakers and disability advocates about its case backlog. In response, it set up a process that lets applications with the most pressing needs take priority and also has increased the amount of diseases that require immediate consideration from 100.

While the move has reduced the list of people who die while waiting for benefits, such deaths still occur. One man who died waiting was denied benefits because he was told he didn't submit enough medical evidence after being diagnosed with colon cancer.

His lawyer got additional medical reports and submitted them, but even when he was in the hospital, terminally ill, SSA wanted more information as to whether he could work, the man's sister said. He died nine days before he received a letter saying his benefits had been approved.

About six weeks later, SSA addressed another letter to him, this one stating his benefits had been taken away because he didn't fill out appropriate paperwork that had been sent with the first letter.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Growing Case Backlog Leaves the Terminally Ill Waiting," Damian Paletta and Dionne Searcey, Dec. 28, 2011