Comments on: Disability Benefits Resources

FYI: Information About Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits

[grandma444]

I have been trying for ssi since 2/2002.been in front of a judge who will not give ssi to anyone under 50 years of age,i have a Dr.who has said I am disable permitly.I am disable by the state,but not gov.I am in need of surgeries,but don''t have any children''s under 18,too old,& too young for any state help.I have lost my house & lived in a shed on my mom place (she is 73 & unable to help me with any bills)
I am waiting to go in front a judge agian,I refiled in 3/2005.
Debra forte

[ddsavage1-2009]

In "judgejoyce"''s "blog" she states that just because you have an impairment severe enough to effect the ability to do basic work functions such as sitting, standing or concentrating, you are not disabled. If not being able to stand, sit or concentrate, especially concentrate does not constitute disability, then what in Heaven''s name does?

[rebladkins]

I have been on disability since 1993. It took nearly 5-years to exhaust the appeals process, which were unneccessary in the first place as I qualified from day one. SSA, assumes that in denying a certain percentage of all applicants that they will, give up as hopeless, or die during the appeal process. I personally ended up in a mental hospital twice after becoming suicidal. I became homeless, penniless, hopeless. But I refused to allow them to deny me what I had paid into, and qualified for. My sister is now going through the same process. Luckily, I have a place she can stay. But between constant pain and financial turmoil, I am worried she may succumb to the pressure of the process of enforced poverty. She has been denied twice and is waiting the hearing phase of the process(another year or more). So just sign me fed up.
Ray Adkins

[angelglory1]

I have been turned down two times already and now waiting for my hearing before a judge. It will be two years in April. I have copd, had a right hemicolectomy which they took part of the sphincter muscle, which causes me to lose bowel control. I have fibromyalgia, herniated disc, panic/anxiety disorder, diabetes, asthma and history of Lymes disease which has caused my fibromyalgia. My problem is that the doctors acknowledge my bowel problems, but they don''t sign any paper to submit to my lawyer and I believe it is because they don''t want to be subpoened to court. I have to be near a bathroom at all times and cannot control myself and have had repeated accidents in public. I am going to be 60 in March. I had worked for 41 years, raised two children on my own and never married until 2004. I never thought I would be disabled and it happened; my entire world came crashing down in 2004. While there are people much more sicker than I there is the anger I have that I should be quizzed by people who don''t even know me. I understand from some sources that if you are a drug addict you get it right away???????????? Go figure. I worked *** hard all those years like we all did and now we have to be treated like we are criminals, because we are unable to work. I wonder who gets our money when we don''t????

[ncgirl24]

Thank you judgejoyce you are on target with your comment.

[judgejoyce]

As an Administrative Law Judge in SSA having served for 26 years I am very disappointed in the story. The report failed to distinguish between the State Agencies who make the initial and reconsideration determination under contract with the SSA and the independent ALJ''s who are appointed under a competitive examination process, serve for life AND reverse on average 68 to 70 percent of the reconsideration denials. The CBS program would have you believe that everyone who applies should get benefits and is just not true. The standards are very tough. Just because an the State Agency determines that a person has a "severe impairment" doesn''t mean they are disabled. It only means their impairment affects their ability to do basic work functions such as sitting standing, concentrating, etc. This is step 2 of the "sequential evaluation process" required by the regulations. 20 C.F.R. 404.1520 and 20 C.F.R. 416.920. This "investigative" piece was puff work! There are a lot of reasons for the backlog not the least of which is years and years of reduced funding, managements failed efforts at revamping the way the hearing offices process works, and the failure to hire employees to replace those who have retired. These are but a few of the reasons for the backlog. There are many more. Please note these are MY OPINIONS ONLY AND NOT THOSE OF MY EMPLOYER SSA. This comes from a judge who is known as one of the most liberal in the Agency.

[judgejoyce]

As an Administrative Law Judge in SSA having served for 26 years I am very disappointed in the story. The report failed to distinguish between the State Agencies who make the initial and reconsideration determination under contract with the SSA and the independent ALJ''s who are appointed under a competitive examination process, serve for life AND reverse on average 68 to 70 percent of the reconsideration denials. The CBS program would have you believe that everyone who applies should get benefits and is just not true. The standards are very tough. Just because an the State Agency determines that a person has a "severe impairment" doesn''t mean they are disabled. It only means their impairment affects their ability to do basic work functions such as sitting standing, concentrating, etc. This is step 2 of the "sequential evaluation process" required by the regulations. 20 C.F.R. 404.1520 and 20 C.F.R. 416.920. This "investigative" piece was puff work! There are a lot of reasons for the backlog not the least of which is years and years of reduced funding, managements failed efforts at revamping the way the hearing offices process works, and the failure to hire employees to replace those who have retired. These are but a few of the reasons for the backlog. There are many more. Please note these are MY OPINIONS ONLY AND NOT THOSE OF MY EMPLOYER THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. I should also state that this comes from a judge who is known as one of the most liberal in the Agency.

[mdwilmoth]

CBS should be ashamed -- turning this article into a print ad for a for profit company seeking to capitalize on those needing assistance with their disabilty applications. At least you should give equal time to the hundreds of other companies providing the same serices.

[aandbz]

I was a truck driver, That is what I know how to do.I have been diagnosed with FSGS, I have Obstructive Lung Disease, I have a problem with my Left Ventricle in my heart, I have Severe nerve damage in both my arms and my legs, torn ulnar nerve, severe hearing loss in both ears. I was also effected by the Camp LeJeune water toxins for years and was denied on my first claim with social security, it is currently under reconsideration. I have an attorney ready for what seems to be the inevitable. SS is unfortunately not the only corrupt system that denies those who need and deserve the assistance VA disability is just as bad.

[ssdnitemare]

I am so glad that you have now made the SS Disability backlog public knowledge. I have been on the "waiting list" for going on 2 years, and it has been finacially & emotional devastating. My denial states that I''m not able to do my job, or any job I''ve previously done, but should be able to do something for substantial wages. Well I can''t, and I just continue to send in updated medical records to the SS Board of Review, and to my attorney. We all need to write our Congressman, and ask why this backlog is allowed to go on, and pay close attention to anyone running for office and their policy on How to Fix the SS system. I can''t beleive we are treated like this after working and paying into SS for the past 40 years.