Disabled And Waiting

CBS News Investigation: Backlog In Disability Benefits System Leaves Thousands Of Vulnerable Americans Stranded

(CBS)  This is the first part of a CBS News investigation into Social Security disability benefits.

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Each year, millions of people who are disabled from an accident or disease turn to the federal government for Social Security disability payments - a benefit that every worker who is declared disabled is eligible to receive. It's a 51-year-old government insurance program - a lifeline of sorts - that every worker pays for through that line-item on their pay stub, known as FICA.

But a two-month CBS News investigation reveals that safety net may not be there when you need it most.

"I always figured that I'd die in a fiery car wreck or something, never that I'd be disabled," 33-year-old Scott Watson told CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian.

Two years ago, a failed surgery left Watson with a fracture in his spinal cord. It turned his life upside down, leaving him unable to work in his job as a broadcast engineer.

"Everybody says, 'You gotta have a positive attitude,'" Watson said. "You know, and I say, 'Well, I am positive. I'm positive this is the end,' you know. I mean it's not going to get better."

Declared disabled by the state of Maryland, Watson was told he was "shoo-in" when he applied for federal disability last year, only to be turned down three months later on the grounds, according to federal guidelines, he wasn't disabled enough. Watson appealed, and was denied again.

He's one of 27,000 Maryland residents - 68 percent of all those who applied - to suffer such a fate.

Overall, two out of every three people who apply for federal disability benefits are rejected by a government agency that critics say is out of date, underfunded, and incapable of serving the exploding number of disabled Americans. Waiting times for a hearing in some cities are more than three years.

Linda Fullerton, an advocate for the disabled, told Keteyian: "I have people all the time writing to me, saying they are suicidal."

Fullerton's online support site is home to one horror story after another.

Reading from emails, she said: "Had to file bankruptcy to keep home. Losing home with four children."

A two-month CBS News investigation has found that over the last two years, at least 16,000 people fighting for disability benefits died while awaiting a decision.

Overall, the backlog of cases now stands at 750,000 - up 150 percent since 2000.

People wait an average of 520 days for a hearing on their claims.

People like Jerry Rice, who calls an abandoned tool shed home. When we found Rice, who suffers from mental illness, he'd been waiting for three years for his day in court.

"So. Jerry, this is how it ends up for you?" Keteyian asked.

"This is how it is," Rice replied. "I hope it's not how it ends up."

But he believes he deserves the disability?

"I'm not asking them to give me welfare," Rice said. "I'm just asking them to give me what they promised. Yeah, I deserve it."

"It's a mess from the time you apply - till the time you get a hearing," said attorney John Hogan, who has represented thousands of folks in Atlanta, the backlog capital of the nation.

"We're the furthest behind of any area of the country, it could take 2.5 years to get your hearing," Hogan said.

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FYI: Resources on Disability Benefits

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That's because there are some 24,000 cases waiting to be heard. And only about 15 local judges to handle them.

"We have a lot of room for improvement," said Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue, who took over the federal disability program last year. He stepped up efforts to fix the system many call broken.

"So I think it's been broken the way a leg is broken," he said. "And it can heal. And it is healing."

Keteyian asked: "But what do you say to the people who have stood in that line, that three-year line?"

"I don't have a defense. I don't think it's a good thing. It don't think it should have been allowed to happen," Astrue said. "We're probably not gonna be able to drive back the backlog down at the arte that it went up. But we're sure as hell gonna try."

That's little consolation to the likes of Scott Watson, who has had to rely on his parents to simply survive.

"You pay into a system that you think is gonna help you in your time of need, and it doesn't even acknowledge that you even have a problem," Watson said.

[uanir12b]

what is really sad is i see the people at the slum apartment across the street . they have husbands from mexico who can not speak english and my mexican wife (native american) can only half understand them .
they work at the slum owners resturant and drive new vehicles , get housing assistance , food stamps and medicade . All paid in FOOL by us the American people ! *** is really going on ?

[uanir12b]

oh and i forgot memory impairment , migraines from hell, black outs , broken back , and two aortic valve replacements !Told i can still work ;).
Go fiqure so i applied at local ssa and was not HIRED , LOL

[uanir12b]

in dec of 80 i was involved as a passenger in auto wreck severe head trauma , re-attached left hand , nerve damage in right , broken jaw .
was denied and managed to go back to work in oilfield after ten months self therapy, on jan. 23/1982 drunk hits me head-on while i am riding motorcycle ,again reattach left hand , left hip bolted together , severe head tramua , right foot crushed , both hips fractured , scrotum , long bone fractures , DIC , memory loss ,addicted to hospital meds(no rehab help)...... . I , at 73lbs. in a wheel chair needing more surgery apply for ssi and emergency food stamps and am told i can still work .
28 yrs and numerous denials later i request my file in preperation for a hearing where i am representing myself , a fool for a lawyer is better than the bozos i have met ! When i recieve the ssa file i find that a Judges order had been changed from remanded to dismissed this starts me to comparing my records with ssa records(some have been mysteriously purged) and there are numerous errors that change the facts of my disabilities . i have contacted the OIG and they are investigating , so i am told , no way to confirm .
People KEEP all records of dealings with the ssa ALL records send everything to them certified and NEVER , NEVER send the original as they tell you to , NEVER ! certified copies ONLY !
YOU should not have to hire an attorney to recieve entitled help from a government of the people , for the people and by the people ! If you do then you are not in a country of for or by the people .
United we State the truth and demand it be SO !!
Never break just bend far enough to slap the crap out of them .
We will not accept LESS than the most for the least of US Americans united we are ! yea, yea , amen

[viper581plo]

I want to know WHERE THE HE** IS MY BAILOUT MONEY?

[viper581plo]

I am a 51 year old disabled man. I was working since I was 15 years old. I was disabled in an auto accident which causes me pain in my lower back 24 hours a day, the medications ( which I can't afford) I must take just make the pain where I am just able to stand it. I also have other health problems to numerous to talk about at this time. It took almost 4 year before I was declared permanently disabled. I had to file bankruptcy and I lost everything I had, because I couldn't afford my apartment or my bills I had at the time. Now I just can't afford my medications, my doctors or the $800.00 I owe on my wheelchair after medicare paid their part. I am soon to be homeless because my friend is selling the house I live in now and my friend is moving into a seniors only one bedroom apartment. I have been looking at apartment after apartment and I can not afford any of them. I have tried to get into assisted living facilities for over 2 years now. they either cost way more than I make or they have a 2 to 5 year waiting period or my credit is not good enough to get in. I am so PO- ed that no one will even try to help me not even Eugene Delgaudio, Sterling District Supervisor, Loudoun County, Virginia that my friend called and emailed. They give dogs a place to stay but could care less about me and I now see I am not alone. People should not be treated like this.

[rkartist]

The latest game the government is playing now is stealing our stimulus checks. What does it say about a nation when it robs from the poorest citizens and middle class to prop up corrupt companies that have run themselves and the nations economy into the ground. I don't think we have the slightest chance anymore of avoiding a full blown depression. As Thomas Jefferson once said... "A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of the society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sin and suffering."

[skotw]

To dulcinea8

I can understand where you are coming from but you also have to understand that in many cases someone, such as myself, may one day be able to recover. Medicine is always advancing, just think about all the progress that has been made in the last 30 years. If I do make it back to a level where I could return to work I would jump back in with both feet. I don''t want a handout and I worked hard so that my wife could be a stay at home mom. But now that has all changed. I had finally reached the peak of my career and could have gotten a job in any city in the world. I loved what I was doing. This small segment didn''t really describe all of the issues that I am facing. Because of my broken back (if you look at a clock a normal spine should go from 6 O''clock to 12 O''clock, mine goes from 6 O''clock to 2 O''clock),Caude Aquina Syndrom, and extensive nerve damage I suffer constant severe pain and am forced to take tons of medications. One of the side-affects of all those medications is the same as if you were to take 3 shots of NyQuil everyday. In addition to me being like zombie all the time I am unable to sit, stand, or lie down for any extended period of time because of the pain. All of this started with numb feet and I never had back pain and even now the pain I feel in my torso isn''t traditional back pain, it is pain from all of the muscles trying to deal with being constantly in the wrong position. It''s basically a "cholly-horse" in my entire torso all the time.

[life_writer]

oslone: You said:"and it is the ability of individuals to draw disability payments if they have the necessary funds to hire the right attorney and procure the right doctor. Evidently for the right sum disability benefits can be obtained promptly."

Not true!! There is normally no upfront attorney fee if we choose to be represented for a disability claim. If we win, our attorney gets a huge chunk of our back pay, usually within days or a few weeks, while we wait months for our first monthly check, and sometimes more than 6 months for a portion of our greatly reduced back pay. And doctors- we rack up tens of thousands in unpaid/pastdue bills.

If we had the "necessary funds", would we really be on disability?

Come on now. Surely you jest.

http://lifewriter.writing.com

[jolico-2009]

The same problem exists in Canada. Insurance companies (for those who are insured) find ways out of their contracts. I asked for disability in April 2001 when insurance cut off and was accepted only in November 2003. If not for a small inheritance which kept me from welfare until 5 last months before acceptance, I would have died because at the time it came - would be dead if they had waited until December, December 2003 would have seen me with 5$ after rent was paid and I was planning suicide.

[lupus4]

Im a victim of ssd or ssi I was a fulltime working African America female with four children One day I had a heart attack and end in ICU for 4 weeks and out of the blue I had lupus I lost my job they treated me like trash they turned me down twice with no regard I was in the medical journal they dont care there is not case by case they treat ever case the same but i worked for years I know crack heads thar get ssi and never worked so I ask myself who is the joke on

[jann1033]

tried applying 4 times now, disabling CFS, diabetes and av malformation which is disabling. first time, claim was EB virus to low( nothing to do with CFS) second time was too long since i worked last ( disabled in spring 1988, stopped officially working fall of that yr)3rd time applied for ssi, couldn''t get health insurance ( can''t afford & can not get approved anyway) so can not afford to go to Dr unless it ''s life threatening, plus most don''t recognize what is caused by CFS so don''t put that in the notes so the claim was i''m not still sick...who bets i don''t get it this time even though i have medicaid for the disability( however still can''t go to dr, you have to spend your entire pay over $500, husband made $21,000 so every month i have to pay over $1000 just to have medicaid kick in or have that much in health care i paid for out of pocket which means we live on the street and don''t eat...what a mess this health care system is in... Gov''s solution was get a divorce then his income doesn''t count...

[ddsssa]

Sdavis 194220 writes:

"My husband is blind. In 1994 he lost his eyesight due to an illness. We have lost our home, vehicles, life savings, and other possessions due to his illness. He worked 34 years of his life and now that he is disabled (by the State, IRS & DPS) SS does not want to give him benefits. We have filed for SSDI twice and have continuously been denied. There has to be something done about this system -- it is just plan wrong. If everyone who was denied would continue to pursue their claims all the way through the Federal Court system, maybe that would lead to changes in the system."

S Davis,

If your husband is blind he should qualify.

If his vision with best correction in his best eye is 20/200 or worse then he should have no problem being allowed.

Listing 2.02 Loss of Visual Acuity. Remaining vision in the better eye after best correction is 20/200 or less.

[jann1033]

4th time applying, fall 1988 lost job as disabled since spring 1988 with CFS, first denial..not high enough Epstein barr virus count( EB has nothing to do with CFS) second time i had waited to long to refile and now they said work history was to old to use. 3rd time( ssi this time) since i lost my health insurance in 1989 and can only go to dr in life threatening situations ie no money for the checkups...and most drs. don''t recognize CFS anyway, "didn''t have enough data to support i was still disabled" meanwhile last yr finally got Medicaid, had it for a few months then husband made all of $21,000 for the yr so my spend down is over $1000( give you $500 to live on then the rest is dollar for dollar what your family earns that you are supposed to pay out for health care each month before you can use the Medicaid they already said you are disabled and qualify for) once again starting the ssi process, who wants to bet i won''t get it and even if i do, it will just increase my Medicaid spend down by that amount...i have 3 chronic illnesses, 2 of which are disabling and have no health care...Gov''s recommendation, get divorced so husband''s income won''t count...what a mess health care in USA is

[mf1232-2009]

This comment is to realtrue8. I under stand to deny a person who only worked 3 months. What do you say about the person who''s worked from 17years to 50 years of age. the last year was injuried on the job, with a spine injury, and can''t work waiting for surgery and still may not be able to work.He''s waiting for is appeal incourt for SSI cause was denied 3 times.The back injury is server enough for surgery,but still was denied for SSI.As CBS said its a qouta to meet for the deniels. Oh buy the way your back is consider your whole body. So if thats injuried,then you would''nt be able to work.I agree that thier is some people who abuse the system, and if SSI do there job they would catch this.But people being denied with a major injury to the back is shameful.

[eldon21-2009]

I have only been waiting 6 months.Ialready had to sell my house.Me and my family can hardly pay the rent never mind food and utilitys.THAN GOD my wife works and has isurance(even though I can''t paythe co-pay)I have fibromyalgia,deg.back with spurs,depression and atheritus.I TO AM GETTING THE RUNARRound!I have contacted my congress man about this I think everybody should!I am a US VET.GOOD LUCK TO ALL,Eldon H.Dunbar JR.

[lenyo70]

Susigurl I couldn''t wait 7 years for assistance but I haven''t been given any other choices.
Becoming a felon or suicide aren''t a option.
Marphine 3 times a day,a hand full of 750 Vicodins and Xanax all add up.
I haven''t seen my family practice DR for over a year because he is willing to let me catch up on some medical bills,..probably not the 85,000$ implant in my spine.
A quarter of million dollars wouldn''t get me out of debt. I wish you well.








xanax

[lenyo70]

Many of you people are complaing about waiting 2.5 years? It took 4 years to get my case kicked to Falls Chruch Virginia and 2 more years to get it back.
In Indiana no matter how crippled you are at the hearing infront of the ALJ the state of Indiana brings some a hole in to say that "He ca''t be disabled" What a bunch of ***. On October 1of 2007 the ALJ decided to lean in my favor,..i haven''t heard a word about how much back pay or if I will even get the SSI that I paid into all of my life.
The key is to get a phsyciatrist in your favor,they
have the important influence.
In 7 years ive lost everything just like the rest of you,..I also have a ex-wife with 2 sons that haven''t been paid a penny of support since my last injury in March of 2001. Im lucky that ive gad a girlfriend that has been willing to let her life and credit go to
SH*T because she has supported me. If not for this women I would be living in a shelter or worse.
I WAN''T TO KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO AS DISABLED PEOPLE TO
FIX THIS MESS!
If your in a similiar situation or if you have any comments e-mail me at [e-mail].
Names Mike,..im 38 and live in Indianapolis.
The crappy thing is you have to wonder just how many people in this situation turn to crime?
Mike

[lenyo70]

Enough from ilovegod7 already,we get the picture.

[jesse_b_me]

I understand what its like. I filed in May of 2005 and I am still waiting. I have one child still at home and no home to raise her. We have lost everything and are staying with a friend on the sofa and recliner. The great state of Missouri allows us 164.00 of food stamps and mecidaid that has a copay on meds and Dr''s vist''s. People in our goverment should try and live 3 years with out any income (ZERO) and sell off all there assets loose there homes and get divorced have IRS chase them for taking what little bit of money they have in retirement for living expences and the fine you 100% and 21% intrest. Woo hooo and its getting better and its a bright light we have to look at. Well I never ask nor did I ever think in my wildest dreams that I would be in the shape I am in. Or would I think that I paid for over 30 years in to SS and I get slaped round like I have been. And to here that there isnt much trouble with the system is a bunch of LIES. BTW God bless everyone and try and look foward to next week.

[denydeny-2009]

VocRehab says I can''t work. Doctors say I can''t work. The SSDI judge misquotes everyone and everything to say that I could work if I tried harder.

I have repeatedly lost jobs because I CAN''T work no matter how hard I try. The judge doesn''t believe any testimony that I''m disabled (not mine or any other witness) and keeps turning me down.

I applied in 2000, it''s now 2008, and I''m still waiting.

The only suggestion I''ve been offered is "get married". OK. Anyone know someone willing to take on a spouse who requires a full time caregiver and whose medical bills will break the budget?

If this was a private disability insurance program, they would have been sued for all they''re worth and investigated for defrauding customers. Because it''s the federal government, no lawyer wants to take the case.