OMAHA, Neb. -- The bureaucratic red tape bogging down the Social Security system results at times in beneficiaries dying before they get their benefits, said an Omaha attorney.

"A year ago, I had three people commit suicide. That just rips you up, said Tim Cuddigan, an attorney specializing in social security disability cases.

He said the backlog is not because people are cheating the system. And it's not because they don't qualify for benefits. It's that Congress hasn't adequately funded Social Security for 15 of the past 16 years, Cuddigan said.

The flood of baby boomers entering the system has overwhelmed staffing levels.

States with large backlogs, like Nebraska, have begun transferring cases to states with lower backlogs, like California.

Migraine headaches bring Heidi Therrien's life to a halt three or four times a week. The Columbus, Neb., mother of two had to quit her job and apply for benefits.

But Social Security denied her, saying that her case wasn't severe enough.

Therrien joins 765,000 other Americans whose cases are on appeal.

She said it takes 21/2 years just to get a hearing.

She's on the verge of bankruptcy.

"You almost feel like the criminals get better, faster justice than you do," Therrien said.

But changes are being made.

In addition to transferring cases, Social Security has hired 189 more administrative law judges and a support staff. On Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on the performance of Social Security's appeals hearing offices.