Comments on: "Failing The Disabled"

Investigation: Disability Benefits System Harbors Culture Of Denying Help To Even The Most Unfit To Work

[shaninsc]

I''ve got a few comments to make to prjwdc,I, too,am disabled w/ disbling pain disorder.I didnt ask to have this or any of the other disorders I have.Is it so wrong to apply for help when you''ve paid into something you think will be yours when you need it?NO, it isnt.For me to do ANYTHING Ive got to wear 3Lidoderm patches to be able to do hsewk,play w/my 11yr old son, to do everything a person does in a day.

[shaninsc]

I''ve got a few comments to make to prjwdc,I, too,am disabled w/ disbling pain disorder.I didnt ask to have this or any of the other disorders I have.Is it so wrong to apply for help when you''ve paid into something you think will be yours when you need it?NO, it isnt.For me to do ANYTHING Ive got to wear 3Lidoderm patches to be able to do hsewk,play w/my 11yr old son, to do everything a person does in a day.

[prjwdc]

Can we not consider the concept of disabled but working? Why should you draw a check from the government because you have chronic pain? I''m not discounting those who have cancer or are completely incapacitated by their diseases. However, I think this system is broke. Many of those who ARE approved for disability benefits end up in worse shape when they are reviewed after 3 to 7 years than when they were allowed. Why? Because of their inactivity and bad nutrition. Working is good for the mind and the body. Many employers make accomodations for those who have disabilities. It may not be your current employer, but there are other jobs out there! Wouldn''t you rather do that than live on 1000 dollars per month for your SSDI check for the rest of your life? And for those of you who paid in "all of your working life", do you realize that all of the money you paid in will be paid back to you within 2 to 4 years, and after that, it''s up to the rest of us to keep working for you to stay at home watching Oprah? The system needs revision. In the meantime, more people need to quit focusing on why they can''t work and try working despite their pain. I live with pain 24 hours a day and have a very bad back. Yet, I work, and will work hopefully until the day I die. Consider this as an option, get help with re-training or schooling if you have to, but don''t give up just because you are in pain!!!

[plumeria5]

sorry didn''t mean to post that 4 times, the "publish" button got stuck or something.

[plumeria5]

Maybe CBS should have talked with the people who do the actual work for Social Security Disability. It''s obvious by the report that they did not. The analysts have NEVER been told to keep allowances down, they are told the opposite "allow the allowable". If there is a way to allow, they work hard to do just that. If CBS had talked with the social security workers they may have found that these are intelligent, caring people who are here to try and "help" the citizens of this country. It is interesting, you hear all about those who were denied, but nothing from the ones that were allowed. CBS, why didn''t you show that side of the story? Social security disability gets an unfair bad rap. Did your report make any mention of the fact that the claimant doesn''t always give us the correct and full information? (it''s like they have to become investigators to get the whole story) How claimants move and do not let us know? How claimants do not respond to repeated phone messages, multiple due process letters? How sometimes claimants are rude and uncooperative. Did they mention that if a claimant can not fill out questionaires on their own, and they can''t find a friend/relative to help them, the Social security workers will spend time going over them on the phone with the claimant? Did they mention the numerous fraud cases? Shame on CBS for not interviewing all of the parties involved in a Social Security Disability claim.

[plumeria5]

Maybe CBS should have talked with the people who do the actual work for Social Security Disability. It''s obvious by the report that they did not. The analysts have NEVER been told to keep allowances down, they are told the opposite "allow the allowable". If there is a way to allow, they work hard to do just that. If CBS had talked with the social security workers they may have found that these are intelligent, caring people who are here to try and "help" the citizens of this country. It is interesting, you hear all about those who were denied, but nothing from the ones that were allowed. CBS, why didn''t you show that side of the story? Social security disability gets an unfair bad rap. Did your report make any mention of the fact that the claimant doesn''t always give us the correct and full information? (it''s like they have to become investigators to get the whole story) How claimants move and do not let us know? How claimants do not respond to repeated phone messages, multiple due process letters? How sometimes claimants are rude and uncooperative. Did they mention that if a claimant can not fill out questionaires on their own, and they can''t find a friend/relative to help them, the Social security workers will spend time going over them on the phone with the claimant? Did they mention the numerous fraud cases? Shame on CBS for not interviewing all of the parties involved in a Social Security Disability claim.

[plumeria5]

Maybe CBS should have talked with the people who do the actual work for Social Security Disability. It''s obvious by the report that they did not. The analysts have NEVER been told to keep allowances down, they are told the opposite "allow the allowable". If there is a way to allow, they work hard to do just that. If CBS had talked with the social security workers they may have found that these are intelligent, caring people who are here to try and "help" the citizens of this country. It is interesting, you hear all about those who were denied, but nothing from the ones that were allowed. CBS, why didn''t you show that side of the story? Social security disability gets an unfair bad rap. Did your report make any mention of the fact that the claimant doesn''t always give us the correct and full information? (it''s like they have to become investigators to get the whole story) How claimants move and do not let us know? How claimants do not respond to repeated phone messages, multiple due process letters? How sometimes claimants are rude and uncooperative. Did they mention that if a claimant can not fill out questionaires on their own, and they can''t find a friend/relative to help them, the Social security workers will spend time going over them on the phone with the claimant? Did they mention the numerous fraud cases? Shame on CBS for not interviewing all of the parties involved in a Social Security Disability claim.

[plumeria5]

Maybe CBS should have talked with the people who do the actual work for Social Security Disability. It''s obvious by the report that they did not. The analysts have NEVER been told to keep allowances down, they are told the opposite "allow the allowable". If there is a way to allow, they work hard to do just that. If CBS had talked with the social security workers they may have found that these are intelligent, caring people who are here to try and "help" the citizens of this country. It is interesting, you hear all about those who were denied, but nothing from the ones that were allowed. CBS, why didn''t you show that side of the story? Social security disability gets an unfair bad rap. Did your report make any mention of the fact that the claimant doesn''t always give us the correct and full information? (it''s like they have to become investigators to get the whole story) How claimants move and do not let us know? How claimants do not respond to repeated phone messages, multiple due process letters? How sometimes claimants are rude and uncooperative. Did they mention that if a claimant can not fill out questionaires on their own, and they can''t find a friend/relative to help them, the Social security workers will spend time going over them on the phone with the claimant? Did they mention the numerous fraud cases? Shame on CBS for not interviewing all of the parties involved in a Social Security Disability claim.

[snardoz]

There is no way so many hard working people can be wrong about their experience with SSD. Why in the world would someone go to doctors for years, pay co-pays and continue complaining about the same problems for many years with medical proof if they werent sure that they cannot work. I do not buy it. Yes there are scammers, I have met many of them throughout my career, but I also made decisions based on common sense and my experience in the system to identify who might not be truthful. This seems to be a paper pushing agency that looks at things "on paper" ie. age, education etc. to determine their current state of health and disability....the more educated you are the more likely you are to be denied. You are punished for your previous hard work and dedication to working. It is simply not right.

[perm3800]

educated2 is either NOT an adjustor with SSA or works in a very small office. Why,she approved ''several'' claims just this week! WoW! And s/he notes that persons under 49 must be unable to work. Ummm...not true. Persons must be unable to sit for one hour, stand for fifteen minutes, lift more than ten pounds and be unable to take care of their own basic needs. This means that if you can stand for fifteen minutes without passing out or falling down, you are disqualified. If you can sit in a chair for an hour, you should be working for that hour. If you can''t sit for an hour or stand for fifteen minutes but don''t require help going to the bathroom, getting dressed or feeding yourself, you don''t qualify.

[myndful]

I''m not sure how to make these into links, but these are the most helpful sites I''ve found as far as helping disabled people qualify for benefits. (cut & paste into address bar if not links)

Listings of Impairment:
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm

CFR (law governing the program)
http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0000.htm

Independent website, shows how age and functional limitations affect approval:
http://www.severe.net/grid.html

POMS (Programs Operation Manual System)
https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/partlist!OpenView

[openmouthed]

The Government needs to re-vamp the Social Security offices. I realize yes some people without disabilities do try to apply, but why make it he!! on everyone who DOES have disabilities and DR''S who are stating it! They need to STOP taking the money that SHOULD be going to Social Security and spending it elsewhere. My Brother returned from overseas in the Military and is full disabled and not able to work.....he''s been in he!! with them for pushing 2 years. Has no income, has to try to find employment and an employer who will take him, and all this has to revolve around his appts daily at the VA. How is that possible? He can''t apply for any programs because the Military is dragging their feet on finalizing his paperwork. Now they say hopefully May of this year at the earliest. (He''s been back in the States working on this since the latter part of 2006!!) So no....if anyone thinks the Military is treated better, they aren''t...in fact, they are treated worse.

[openmouthed]

The Government needs to re-vamp the Social Security offices. I realize yes some people without disabilities do try to apply, but why make it he!! on everyone who DOES have disabilities and DR''S who are stating it! They need to STOP taking the money that SHOULD be going to Social Security and spending it elsewhere. My Brother returned from overseas in the Military and is full disabled and not able to work.....he''s been in he!! with them for pushing 2 years. Has no income, has to try to find employment and an employer who will take him, and all this has to revolve around his appts daily at the VA. How is that possible? He can''t apply for any programs because the Military is dragging their feet on finalizing his paperwork. Now they say hopefully May of this year at the earliest. (He''s been back in the States working on this since the latter part of 2006!!) So no....if anyone thinks the Military is treated better, they aren''t...in fact, they are treated worse.

[openmouthed]

I was in an auto accident here in Rural America. Now a year later what we DO know of my conditions, they finally tell me I will never work again, I am disabled. At 43 this is horrifying. I consider myself at the prime of my life. Someone who ran a red light and hit us has ended my life as I knew it. I am now in pain all the time. I can''t lift, reach, walk, sit, or stand for very long. My arms totally lose function on me. Due to my disabilities now, I have fallen and broke 5 ribs in 2 places. I am limited on everything I do. I can''t excercise. 2 minutes on the treadmill on low and I''m down for hours. To vaccuum 1/3 of a 10x10 room in the morning, and am down the rest of the day.
I applied to Social Security Disability. The Drs released all the medical transcripts of what has been going on with me this past year because of the accident. Including what is now disabiling me, why, etc. I got a denial letter stating that I''m not disabled, I can drive a car (horror--I''ll kill everyone when my arms lose function!!) and go sell Real Estate (I couldn''t stand the drive, the sitting the walking and if the house has stairs...and EVERY house where I live has stairs....) They are full of...you know what! They picked and chose on the Dr''s findings and said having my gall bladder removed, having a hernia and severe sleep issues doesn''t consider me disabled. Shoot, if those were my ONLY condiditions, I''d be jumping up and down singing praises!!

I recommend everyone go online and share ideas with each other to have a backup plan if their wait for ss becomes 3 or more years long. It still can happen. If past performance is predictive, goverment when aware will still act slowly. One person said he was with parents. Family here or abroad is worth looking into depending on how bad things get. Can anyone find if there is an area of the country that is the reverse of the mentioned Atlanta backlog zone. Also consult a lawyer. Try to get access to all of social security''s rules to help plan a strategy of survival. In the age of the web, I hope exposure and cooperation will help everyone in need. Isn''t there a law applied to governmental agencies that allows access to all information about the rules of that agency? We must inform ourselves and look for help ourselves.

[myndful]

Educated2: I think that it is more procedural at the "lower" levels, such as where you work. At the ALJ level, however, there is most definitely the "culture of denial" that people are talking about. There is one ODAR office in particular where the ALJs ''twist'' the medical reports, omit important medical details and flat-out lie about what happened at the hearing. (appeals council remands or overturns them pretty quickly) Decisions are delayed, often by 6 months or more after the hearing. The ALJs throw out treating doctors reports as "not credible" and seldom find that the claimant is "credible". The ALJs at the hearing level have almost no oversight.
I stand by my earlier statement that reconsideration seldom equals approval. However, I think it is mostly because you are not given the time to investigate the claim properly. If recon had a longer timeframe, there might be more approvals at that level.

[tcardillo1]

Dear educated2:

I''m sure you are a very diligent, dedicated adjudicator, but can so many people be lying about their experiences? How many different state agencies have you worked for? Which states? At no time did anyone claim that everything is the same everywhere; in fact, the opposite is true. Claim adjudication varies widely from one person/DAS/ALJ/ODAR to the next. So while you may be working for one of the "good" states, please don''t call the experiences of others lies, when your sole perspective is your tiny little corner of a very big universe.

I agree with you that a culture of denial is against the law; that''s why I spoke out. As for the QA monitoring of your job: if I go out into a nearby farm, and start measuring the height, width, depth, and stench level of every cow patty, I''ll have statistics, too--and they will be just as relevant as the QA accuracy ratings that every state agency publishes. They in no way reflect whether or not adjudicators are following the law.

Trisha Cardillo
Buford, GA

[rdeko-2009]

We have been waiting 14 years NOW!
Received a fully favorable decision on Sept 27, 2007 and haven''''t seen a dime yet. Waiting almost 4 months now for payments to start.

We did receive a partially favorable decision in 2005- the year my husband turned fifty (the magic age) for years 1996 thru 2001.
Partial- like he got better after 2001. He''''s worse than when we started.
They didn''t want to pay until he turned Fifty and then gave us five back years to shut us up. Then turned around and gave us a fully favorable decision back to 1994-- two years later. The ultimate in Hypocrisy!
Basicly they said you were only disabled for fives years and then two years later said no you''ve really beed disabled for the last 14 years -sorry it took so long
And we still haven''t been paid yet.

I want someone to look me in the eye from SSD and tell me that there is not a persuasive system of denial -- and a concerted effort to make people give up.

I''''ve called the regional payment processing everyday for the last 2 weeks - you have to leave a message- and they have never returned my call once.

SSD answers to know one- I think that they have surpassed the IRS IN THEIR ARROGANCE AND UNCO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT.

If you want to do a story on a case that I beleive is the longest in SSD history -contact me at [e-mail]

[educated2]

I have been a disability examiner for over 7 years. I''ve allowed several initial claims (first time applicants) this week, and hundreds more. STOP THE LIES! It''s making a difficult system worse. The way SSA designed the program is to prevent fraud- and there are plenty of cases out there. Most people don''t get what it means to be legally disabled according to SSA. If you''re young (49 yrs old or younger) and have at least a high school ed, you have to be so impaired that you can''t work at ANY job, not just the one(s) you were trained for. But PLEASE, give us a break: there IS NO CULTURE OF DENIAL!!! That''s against the law, and our quality is monitored far more than most jobs.

[madashell4lo]

You can be in a hospital, in a coma, with no hope of returning to life as you knew it, much less going back to work in any way shape or form and your first application will be denied. NO one is ever approved on the first application. It is standard--deny the first application and just hope the claiment will die.