Social Security Disability SSI - Speeding up a hearing when you have a dire need (call your congressman)

In the post prior to this one, I mentioned that you may have some luck in having your social security disability or SSI back pay processed faster by calling your local congressman or one of your senators. I should also mention, though, that if your disability claim hasn't gotten that far and you are still waiting (and waiting and waiting and waiting) for a disability hearing date, it may be