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of every three people who apply for federal disability benefits are rejected by a government agency that critics say is out of date, underfunded, and incapable of serving the exploding number of disabled Americans.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.

[kg4wyw-2009]

Thank for airing about the trouble that we are having in getting aprove for Social Security disability. It get dishearing fter all the month of trying. I had tok my case to the nextlevel in fedreal court thank for a good job on reporting the facts it very true.The Social Security disability office are senting to there dr for the second time to the same dr.

[shanev137]

....and you really want nationalized health care? LOL

[cynthiabasel]

I have been awaiting a hearing for 22 mos. I know of someone who filed and was approved in 9 mos. He has high blood pressure. Has anyone looked at the ratio of black verses white being denied. Could it be reverse racism?

[rmsdm4]

If you think this is bad wait till we ge socialized medicine. How about waiting a year for a colonoscopy? or hernia surgery!

[larry borselli]

I think the SS disability is so abused in this country. I can name at least a half a dozen people that are on it that should not be. And we the hard working people paying into it makes me sick. Don''t get me wrong there are people out there that definitely qualify for the SSD. This should be another presidential issue brought up on the debates. Not that it is going to make any difference. This country is shooting it self in the foot.God only knows where this country is going. All I know is that it scares me to death.

[cynthiabasel]

Aren''t we entitled to speedy hearing? All of us losing everything we worked so hard to have. Don''t they think if we could work, we would, to prevent losing it all? Why can''t we ban together to form a class action suit against the government?

[msholes58]

HI I am one of the few that has been waiting for disability. I am from Indiana and they are back logged so they say. I have an aortic valve insufficiency(bad aortic valve in my heart) depression,anxiety, GERD,high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleeping disorder and I found out I have a buldging disk in my back and damaged nerves in my back and legs. I got denied 3 times Indiana is also back logged Soc Sec acts like the money is coming out of there pockets. I don''t like having all these things wrong with me. I didnt want to file for soc sec but it started to interfere with my work any work I did. Right now it is hard for me to even walk in a grocery store to get groceries I hurt so bad. I am on all sorts of medication.I know how these other people feel I too am tired of waiting I am tired of seeing doctors. There is nothing the can do for the bad valve,the buldging disk, the damaged nerves nothing they can do for anything that its self is depressing and it adds to my depression not being able to do the things I used to do and liked to do. I have an 11 yr old daughter and I feel bad cause I cant do fun things with her if it wasn''t for survivor benefits I don''t know what to do. I lost my son July 25,2006 to a brain anurysm he was only 29 and we didnt know anything was wrong with him and that adds to all my problems. Sorry about the story I didn''t mean for it to be a story. Thank You

[msholes58]

You get soc sec right away if you are bipolar maybe everyone should apply under bipolarism

[cooper491]

Hi my name is Bill i been waiting 2 yrs. for SSD Doc.made totally disabled I had 2 neck surgerys my thumbs are numb all the time shoulder pain and neck pain all the time every day.I cant sleep at nights.27yrs on the job the goverment took out there taxes every pay period I didnt wine but when I need help I was turned down I pay $245.16 for 1 medication do i take the meds or make a house payment....My penion is $600 a month how do i live off that....the goverment has no problem taking your money let see them give it back when in need thank you Bill

[excoachken]

Just think what it would be like if we didn''t have such a caring Christian running the government.

[clarmic-2009]

Thank you for airing this story. I look forward to seeing tomorrow''s piece as well. I am fortunate enough to have been approved the second time around thanks mostly to diligent work on the part of my attorney and doctors. However, the true wait from first application to hearing is actually longer than 2-3 years, because you have to be denied twice first. It took 15 months for me to get through the second round of review. If I''d had to wait for a hearing, in Nebraska the wait would be about 27 months.

Another point to be made is that the nightmare doesn''t end even if your disability is approved. Social Security has a TWO YEAR wait period before medicare coverage after a disability determination. If a person makes as much as one dollar above poverty on disability, then they are denied medicaid or given medicaid with a $1500/month premium and probably can''t afford the premiums for CHIP coverage.

So while I''ve been fortunate to receive the disability determination, I probably will become one of the death statistics while I wait for healthcare coverage.

And waht was I told by the case worker when I asked what I should do? He told me my work history was too good and that I should give up my independence and go into assisted living. Then I''d be covered.

Gosh, this is where 32 years as an educator and school administrator got me. I had hoped to meet my grandchildren.

[dmg061551]

it has been 443 days since my third denial i have bulging c3 /c4 2mm an arthritic back and a bulging L3/L4 2mm left side my time spent is mostly lying in bed holding my head up is painful after awhile always dizzy can not really walk straight worked approximately 25 years stay waiting for a hearing needed a lawyer just to fill out the form correctly waiting for a change since the year 2000....2000....2000 who is in charge

[rthorne333]

I was discharged from the Navy in 1969 for a nervous breakdown and the VA said I was cured. I had another nervous breakdown in 1985, under went electro shock therapy and fell four stories from the hospital window and broke my feet and back. I''ve had countless jobs because the shock treatments deadened my brain and I can''t retain information. Consequently i can''t pass tests for jobs so I''ve been out of work for 13 months.I applied for social security and was turned down because I haven''t been to a doctor do to no money. I plan to re file but know I''m fighting a loosing battle. I applied for VA disability in 1987 and was told I wasn''t disabled enough. they also said my sickness was do to my childhood and they wasn''t responsible. I since reapplied and have a physical next week.

BOTTOM LINE:

THE GOVERNMENT DOESN''T GIVE A *** ABOUT ITS VETS!!!

Rick

[coloradojess]

SSD system needs fixing.You should not have to wait years for a hearing. People that should get it seemed to get denied while I know someone who had applied even though they never worked a day. The were denied and now they have applied to SSI. They were denied again and they are waiting appeal. The person''s MD has said they are not disabled as they could do a different job but they have gone MD shopping to find a doctor that will say they are disabled and hired a lawyer. I wonder how many people like that that are clogging the system.

[rthorne333]

I was discharged from the Navy in 1969 for a nervous breakdown and the VA said I was cured. I had another nervous breakdown in 1985, under went electro shock therapy and fell four stories from the hospital window and broke my feet and back. I''ve had countless jobs because the shock treatments deadened my brain and I can''t retain information. Consequently i can''t pass tests for jobs so I''ve been out of work for 13 months.I applied for social security and was turned down because I haven''t been to a doctor do to no money. I plan to re file but know I''m fighting a loosing battle. I applied for VA disability in 1987 and was told I wasn''t disabled enough. they also said my sickness was do to my childhood and they wasn''t responsible. I since reapplied and have a physical next week.

BOTTOM LINE:

THE GOVERNMENT DOESN''T GIVE A *** ABOUT ITS VETS!!!

Rick

[lenyo70]

It''s hard to imagine people even beginning to complain about getting SSI after waiting 2 years.
My case was filed March 26 of 2001.
I put money in to SSI my entire life and I have a Medtronic device implanted in my back along with 2 wires jumped over vertabrae.
I live in the wonderfull state of Indiana and yes I have a lawyer that works just on Disability.
Mike
Indianapolis

[knorm5]

As an employee of DDS I am always amazed at the naivete and one sidedness of all of these stories. Is CBS ready to determine that a 33 year old man is unable to do ANY work for the rest of his life? "I paid into the system, that''s all I want to get now that I can''t work". He''ll potentially receive (as will his very young child) a great deal more than he ever paid into the system over his remaining 50 year lifespan. The Hearing level of appeal needs reform as the backlog lies with them, but it''s comical that you interview attorneys as they have a vested interest in delaying outcome (and their fee is guaranteed).

[Krazcarl]

Am totaly disabled but can only get partail and it took 2 years, don''t get me wrong I''m graefull I get anything but if not for kind friends I would have ended up on the street pennyless. So now I live poor but I live o extras, my experence was if SS was stremlined it would save on both fronts...just an opinion by a man thats there.

[azuzis]

I was denied SS disability twice and have now been approved. My first observation is if you have a surgery, SS expects that to fix you and you get denied. Also if your illness is related to nerves, or damage to the head you get denied. Finally,there aren''t enough judges and staff funded at the local level to review the cases. That''s why the 2 1/2 year wait in Columbus, Ohio. Why not up local staff to 3x current levels and these cases will be caught up in a short time. Are we a nation or not? Do we have some level of minimal care for people, especially when they are permanently ill? If it weren''t for the kind and generous help of friends and family I wouldn''t be here today. I was lucky enough to be getting great health insurance through a large employer. What about those poor people who were not? What a terrible disabled situation our country is in.

[hypnotoad72]

but when I need help I was turned down I pay $245.16 for 1 medication do i take the meds or make a house payment....My penion is $600 a month how do i live off that....the goverment has no problem taking your money let see them give it back when in need thank you Bill

Posted by cooper491
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Name a system that actually would work. Hard to get money from a system one doesn''t put into... and, yeah, SSD needs fixing. It''s nice of CBS to put up the article.

[pearoney]

I have been fighting SSD for 5 yrs now. I have been turned down , went to court-turned down and was told I had to take it to Federal every lawyer I spoke to told me to refile my claim the fed. would up hold what the other Judge said. I have cradomyopathy,asthma,COPD,emphezema,and all other things. The docs have told me there is no way that I can ever work again. All this was an off set from having Cancer. And being treated with the wrong treatments. So thanks to the docs I am alive but can''t work and can''t get any help at all. I have no income and am raising my granddaughter. Let the government try to live on that and make an 11 yr old happy on her b''day and at christmas. So how do I tell them Thanks . I say Thanks for nothing I worked all those yrs to pay them to sit on their butts for this...A BIG KICK IN THE TEETH !!!!! It is not like they care they have food on their tables and nice cars and clothes on their backs. So why should I think that they care one little bit about the working class people. FYI GOVERNMENT MY OUT COME IS DEATH THERE IS NO HELP FOR ME BUT I WILL HANG IN THERE AS LONG AS I CAN SO YOU WILL STILL BE HEARING FROM ME !!!!!!!!

[hypnotoad72]

As an employee of DDS I am always amazed at the naivete and one sidedness of all of these stories. Is CBS ready to determine that a 33 year old man is unable to do ANY work for the rest of his life? "I paid into the system, that''''s all I want to get now that I can''''t work". He''''ll potentially receive (as will his very young child) a great deal more than he ever paid into the system over his remaining 50 year lifespan. The Hearing level of appeal needs reform as the backlog lies with them, but it''''s comical that you interview attorneys as they have a vested interest in delaying outcome (and their fee is guaranteed).

Posted by knorm5
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I am compelled to agree. Each person''s case is unique...

Still, in terms of one-sidedness, NOTHING compares to the one article from CBS (60 minutes) where the guy lambasted the Iraqi soldier for killing insurgents was horrible. Maybe the interviewer could go into combat and see what it''s like to live and have to make split second decisions. There is no time to ask a bunch of probable killers "Hey, you gonna kill me?" or something?! I need to look up the article, but my heart goes out to the guy he was skewering on national television.

[clair963]

I am an employee with SSA for over 20 yrs. I agree the disability process needs some help maybe taking the decision away from the state. The other problem is that SSA is owed millions if not billions of dollars by beneficiaries who were on disability who returned to work and did not notify SSA if we were to get this money back maybe we can use the funds to get more employees and get the new disability claims processed faster. Good luck to all of you and contact your congressman they are the ones who make the decisions that are effecting your lives

[Krazcarl]

Knorm5..one of my lawyers made the mistake of sending my settlement without deducting his 1/3 we are no longer friends he left me in the wind for years and did lousy work but you never know till it''s to late, hiring legal councel is not like buying bread and advice from friends is also a bad way to go. in my opinion if your disabled why should you require legal counsel OHHH that''s right they wrote the laws that is what it''s really about "thier CUT".

[Meg003]

The system is so bad, it would be better to fire every single employee involved in any way in the disability benefits system, give the money to churches and other private organizations, and assign each group an area to cover.

[revsharpowel]

I too have been unable to access the disability benefits that I contributed into for over 20 years due to backlog in the system for appeals. I am currently awaiting a hearing with a reported 18 month backlog in the state of SC. There is no apparent end in sight and I am at the end of my rope (financially, psychologically, physically and medically). I became injured while on the job, received SS benefits for a fixed period and made unsuccessful attempts to re-enter work but had to separate from my employer when subsequent surgery was needed. I have since been declared total and permanently disabled by my state and am confident that I will prevail at the hearing stage if I make it there. If there is anyone out there who can help, please respond. I do have legalrepresentation, but was advised by them that there is nothing that can be done at this juncture to speed up the process unless I am terminal, in foreclosure (not quite yet but delinquent) or will have electricity terminated (came close to this as recent as 12/07). It is bad enough dealing with the emotions resulting from the disability and limitations without the stress of the SS process and mounting financial problems. At this rate, it almost seems that paying into SS should be optional, as it involves a gamble with accessing benefits when you do become disabled.

[prioritystng]

As a NYC resident, I fought for disability benefits for 3 years. This was over 8 years ago. If you met me, you wouldn%u2019t know that I%u2019m sick. I have a chronic illness that affects my gut, skin, joints, muscles, reproductive tract and respiratory system. When I applied for SSD, I was told I was too young and educated, and I should re-train myself to do something %u201Cless challenging.%u201D During that time, I dragged on as a thesis candidate in grad school. My teachers let me complete my work online and at my own pace. I stayed in school as long as possible to get student loans and health benefits. I also took a part time job stuffing envelopes. It paid about $14,000 a year. My day in court came while I was in school and I was awarded disability. However, by that time my part time job made me ineligible for continuing benefits and I was only granted retroactive payments that covered a short period when I did not work at all. By graduation, I had accumulated 6 figure debt. After all this time, I%u2019m barely paying the interest on my huge bill from Sallie Mae. I%u2019m sad to see from your story that the system hasn%u2019t improved, but I%u2019m not surprised. However, I%u2019m also upset that your report only included patients who have obvious disabilities. Those affected by chronic illness are often debilitated, and have an even more difficult time finding assistance and/or employment.

[zeezedzee]

I don''t understand our country, they force you to pay for all of this through mandatory paycheck withholdings all your life, yet when you need something they act like you''re from a foreign country and they''ve never heard of you before.

People call Social Security and Medicare a free ride, I say "BALONEY!" If anyone thinks it''s a free ride try the ride yourself! Our money has "In God We Trust" on it, but try being on Social Security Disability and getting married, if you do then one of you will lose part of your monthly payment because they say you make too much. That''s why so many people on Social Security divorce, their joint income is too much and usually one of them loses their medication coverage, so divorcing gives them that back because it appears they are alone, but they''re not really. It makes no sense to me that a country that tells us, "In God We Trust" turns around and punishes us for getting married as God says is the right thing to do.

Lastly, those who have paid into the system all their lives have to sit back and watch our country send hospital ships all over the world giving out free exotic surgeries to third world countries and we can''t even get our teeth fixed through Medicare and Medicaid, all they''ll do is clean, fill, and pull. If you need a crown or implant you can forget it! We were forced to pay into the system all our working lives yet they barely help you when needed, or let you die. Doesn''t anyone see anything wrong with this picture?

[skotw]

I''m happy with the way that my segment has turned out. I am one of the fortunate one''s because I have the support of my family and I can''t imagine how bad it must be for anyone who doesn''t have that kind of support. I''m surprised at how many people are dealing with this horrible burearacracy. I am however not surprised by hnorm5''s comment about me. It is pretty typical of some of the people who work with SSDI. The fact that he decided to put words into my mouth ("I paid into the system, that''s all I want to get now that I can''t work") is also very inconsiderate. Like others who are quick to label someone, it seems that they don''t care to consider the facts of the matter before they assume something. If you (knorm5) would like to hear why, even though I am only 33 years old, will never be able to work again in my lifetime I would be happy to tell you all about the permanent nerve damage, extensive chronic pain, the severe post-surgical Khyphosis, the paralysis and hyper-sensitivity in my left leg, the intricacies of Caude Aquaina Syndrome, Osteomalacia, and Hypophosphatemia. Any one of those would really spoil your weekend but the package deal is oh so much more fun. Please think next time you assume something about someone.

[junebugc]

I DON''T NEED SSD''S HELP & I GUESS THAT''S A GOOD THING.BUT I DO KNOW PEOPLE WHO NEED THE HELP BUT CAN''T GET IT.THE GOVERMENT HAS PEOPLE WHO SIT IN THEIR CHAIRS AND MAKE DECISIONS ON PEOPLE''S LIFES THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.THE GOV.DOES A 30 MIN.INTERVIEW WITH A PERSON AND CAN MAKE A LIFE LONG DECISION FROM THAT.(I DON''T THINK SO)THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE GOV.DON''T CARE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.ALL THE GOV.CARES ABOUT IS THEMSELVES.THEY NEED TO STOP AND REALIZE THE WORKING CLASS IS WHAT KEEPS THIS COUNTRY GOING.NOT THE PEOPLE WHO SIT ON THEIR BUTTS AND MAKE THESE LIFE CHANGING DECISION FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP.I HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS BUT GOV. PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THEY MIGHT BE IN THE SICK PEOPLE''S SHOES ONE DAY.THEN THEY CAN SEE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE RIDING ON WHAT A BUNCH OF STRANGERS WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THEM.

THANKS FOR NOTHING (REALLY HOPE & PRAY I NEVER NEED THE GOV. HELP)BECAUSE I KNOW IF I DO I''M IN (BIG) TROUBLE

[herculinds]

One of the reasons initial claims take so long to process is most of us at DDS were trained to do everything within our power to find someone disabled. This means, if their medical records don''t have enough information, we send people on exams, or we take steps to seek out additional medical records. My tip for everyone is make sure you mention every physical/mental limitation you have, discovering something in piece of medical evidence weeks later just causes a longer delay. Also, get the most detailed list you can of what doctor''s/hospitals you''ve been to, and exactly when you saw them. I''ve had so many claims take forever because the claimant provided no dates, or the wrong dates, and the hospitals wouldn''t release the medical records. Finally, hiring a lawyer makes things drag out even more. The longest claims I have are those where a lawyer is involved, because any form we need you to fill out or exam we need to schedule you for, has to go through the lawyer first, then to you, then back to the lawyer, back to us. The truth is, a lawyer is not going to help your claim at all, because a finding of disability comes down to objective medical evidence, along with a person''s age, education, and work history, something a lawyer can''t argue their way through.

[terri1979]

my husband has not been able to work for one year because of a disability. of course, we have been denied and now we are appealing this. we have four doctors for his back and two doctors for his adhd backing us up. he was even fired from his last job because he was quote, not 100%. even though social security admits he can no longer do what he did before, they feel he can work. at what? his restrictions are no lifting over 10 pounds, no turning or twisting. its sad when you pay into this all your life and can get no help,when people who haven''t worked at all can. i have to work overtime just to keep our heads above water, and that doesn'' always help. we have medical bills we can''t pay, we have no outside life, we can''t afford it and no one seems to care.

[terri1979]

my husband has not been able to work for one year because of a disability. of course, we have been denied and now we are appealing this. we have four doctors for his back and two doctors for his adhd backing us up. he was even fired from his last job because he was quote, not 100%. even though social security admits he can no longer do what he did before, they feel he can work. at what? his restrictions are no lifting over 10 pounds, no turning or twisting. its sad when you pay into this all your life and can get no help,when people who haven''t worked at all can. i have to work overtime just to keep our heads above water, and that doesn'' always help. we have medical bills we can''t pay, we have no outside life, we can''t afford it and no one seems to care.

[herculinds]

One of the reasons initial claims take so long to process is most of us at DDS were trained to do everything within our power to find someone disabled. This means, if their medical records don''t have enough information, we send people on exams, or we take steps to seek out additional medical records. My tip for everyone is make sure you mention every physical/mental limitation you have, discovering something in piece of medical evidence weeks later just causes a longer delay. Also, get the most detailed list you can of what doctor''s/hospitals you''ve been to, and exactly when you saw them. I''ve had so many claims take forever because the claimant provided no dates, or the wrong dates, and the hospitals wouldn''t release the medical records. Finally, hiring a lawyer makes things drag out even more. The longest claims I have are those where a lawyer is involved, because any form we need you to fill out or exam we need to schedule you for, has to go through the lawyer first, then to you, then back to the lawyer, back to us. The truth is, a lawyer is not going to help your claim at all, because a finding of disability comes down to objective medical evidence, along with a person''s age, education, and work history, something a lawyer can''t argue their way through.

[banderson101]

I am 39 years old and have had a work related injury. This happened in 2005, I have just recently filed for disability. I have just had a doc visit with the state doc and was not inspired with much confidence. the doc was more worried about my eye site than my back. I took in my latest MRI results and he would not look at them just went threw the motions of his standard physical exam. He told me that he did at least 30 of these exams each day. I am very scared of how this guy''s 8 min exam will effect my life and the life of my wife and kids. I came home from this doc visit and called an attorney. I don''t know how this will end but I am worried.

[spur1974]

Dear Katie, My name is Tres I am writing to you to tell you about my health problem. First of all, we have tried to get disability for me and have been turned down three times. S.S. keeps telling me I am not eligiable for Disability; because I have never been able too work. We have applied own my mother, and father ''s work record; that still didnt help. I have Non Hodgekins Lymphoma of the colon , *** , and gallbladder. I am also a kidney Transplant patient of ten years. My mom was the donor at the time. It was almost a perfect match. But becuase of the chemotherapy I had ; My kidney failed. I am currently on dialasis , and I am also in need of a hip replacement. Because of my cancer I will not beable to be put on a list for a kidney until this May. Which means I have to be cancer free for 5 years. At this time We can''t even get S.S. to help pay for Dialasis. If there is anyway possiable for you to help us with this problem ; we would surley appreciate it. Sincerly Yours,

Tres Lollis.

[e-mail]

[examiner111]

I dont think most people realize that there is no limit to the number of times someone can file for disability. All you have to do is add an allegation or a medical source and you get to start all over again. Disabilty examiners spend a large amount of time on claims like these that have been reviewed over and over and most end up with the same decision. so those people filing for the first time are in line often behind those who abuse the system looking for a gift horse that was not there the first, second or FIFTIETH time it was examined.

[ted0311]

The people you highlighted are NOT reflective of the majority of claimants. 750,000 (!) people all applying for disability (!!!) -- Not all, but most should JUST GET A JOB!! How many MILLIONS OF PEOPLE are being paid already?!?! Are we are country of invalids!?!?! Give me a break! John Stossel -- where are you when we need a reality check on this puff piece?! Most people are paid at the third level - as a matter of fact, it''s better than lotto!! Disability checks every month for life! I can''t work on a loading dock, but I can work doing administrative work or bookkeeping or something! Geez. This country has turned into "Gimme Gimme Gimme." People highlighted in this story absolutely deserve disability. If it weren''t for so many fraudsters trying to claim disability when they can indeed work, the deserving applicants would get a hearing sooner!!! Underserved disability payments cost the country so much more than money! As I said, a majority of people who apply, get paid! And a majority of people who apply, frankly don''t deserve it!! It''s not your country''s fault that there is a backlog of 750,000 cases, it''s your lazy countrymen/women!!! People in low income communities run to get their kids diagnosed with mental disabilities so they can get checks. Entire families on disability payments!! It''s a CRIME!!! P.S. Katie I think you''re doing great!

[mikec4me]

ATTN: SKOTW
Dont get discouraged! I am a dwm 45, waited two and a half years before getting my SSDI ALJ hearing for Major Depression, Anxiety and ADD. Unfortunately, I too had to depend on my parents for finances until I received my fully favorable decision. I would prefer to be gainfully employed but unfortunately not only have a debilitating illness but a debiitating mental illness STIGMA to deal with as well. Keep the faith and thanks for having the courage to go nationally with your cry for help! THANK YOU CBS NEWS FOR BRINGING ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM!

[cuffsandguns]

I''am a 23 yr military veteran 100% disabled in JAN 2002 I was injured in a auto accident which left me un-employed. I applied for and have been rejected for Social Security but I''am recieving a Military Disability Pension. In Aug 2007 With an attorney I had my case hearing before a Social Security Administrative Judge and a occupation specialist who stated that I was able to wash dishes or work in a laundry. Now my disabilities - Both knees dislocated, de-generative bone disease (Back), depytren''s syndrome (Left hand), torn rotater cuff (R shoulder), hearing loss-both ears, heart problem, GURDBarretts esophagus, numerous tumors, PTSD - Bombing of U S Embassy and Marine Barracks Lebanon 1983, suicide and homicidal thoughts, anger, deppression, insomnia. DECISION: DENIED I''am now 5 Years without work and have now withdrawn to isolation.

[mjmouser]

I have a Ph.D., love my work, and have worked every single year since I was 16 (I am now 48). I DON''T WANT TO BE DISABLED, BUT I AM!!!!! SSA determined that I have chronic fatigue syndrome and MS, but that my fatigue (which has crippled me and left me homebound) is "occasional." I cannot leave my house for more than a couple hours at a time, but they have determined that I "can perform work activities." I don''t think they were even looking at my file when they wrote their decision because it reads "you don''t yet show any complications from HIV." I know why---I DON''T HAVE HIV!!!!

What happens to people who cannot work and cannot win their disability claims? I am a single parent. Once I can no longer pay my rent, I guess I''ll be homeless with two children?????

Can''t anyone help us???????????????

[rayz28-2009]

Thanks you so much Katie, and Armen Keteyian for this Long over due report. I personally have experienced these delays, and have watched people die because of these policies. It is a disgrace that we Americans today have to endure such Racism, and disgrace because of corrupt Insurance companies, and politicians who have waged war against its own people by supporting these policies. Please do not let this topic go away. IT needs to be brought to the forefront especially at a time when so many have died, and continue to suffer because of this policy. If you need more proof I am available to supply it. I fought for 42 months for my disabled wife. I will never let this go away.
All parties that have participated in the last 15 years should be held accountable for their part in this conspiracy. Please continue to report this abuse for the sack of others less fortunate. Please vote the politicians out of office, who continue to circumvent their own desires in front of others less fortunate.

[zeezedzee]

MyOpinion1, you reminded me of something that happened four years ago. I lived in Section 8 housing because of my disability, it had approximately 32 apartments. One lady was best friends with the manager and when she lost her Medicare medication coverage due to her joint income with her husband being too high, they divorced so she could get her needed medicine again. He rented another apartment in the second building in the complex and told Social Security they''d divorced, yet he never even moved out of the first apartment, he moved a few unused things into the new apartment to appear that he lived there. He''d go to the new apartment now and then and stomp around so the neighbors would hear someone there. Finally he decided to go south for the winter and had been away more than six months with his wife handing in his post dated rent checks each month and the Government continually funding the other part of his rent. This was denying people who seriously did need housing a place to live, so he eventually got reported. You''d think the Government was interested, but all they did was phone the manager to ask about it, and of course the manager, being his wifes best friend, told the Government that yes he was living there. That turned out to be enough to scare him out of the apartment though, but it shows you why people get away with this. Had the Government made minimal effort to show up and investigate this then they could have recovered many thousands of dollars.

[cuzzza112]

I had a sister with Multiple Sclerosis; paralyzed from the neck down. Her initial claim for SSDI was denied. You have to admit, that is not without some humor. It is unfortunate the Claim Adjudicators never meet their "victims". I would loved to have seen the look on the person that denied my sister!
I too am waiting to receive a decision on a claim. All the Adjudicators and thier supervisors took 2 weeks off for the Xmas holidays! Of course they''re backed up!
This guy Astrue needs to get his head out of the sand. He hasn''t got a clue. And one hand doesn''t know what the other is doing. For each person you talk to, you get a different answer to the same question. (Except of course for the ever consistant "I don''t know")
This system is a sick joke run by people with no conscience and absolutely no humility. But then, that is the American way.

[ontheleft]

so many typical right wing responses to this story

everyone''s trying to scam the system and everyone''s a bunch of lazy welfare bums except for the god-fearing law-and-order self-righteous schumcks like yourselves

[indigo2008]

This issue is more complex than this short segment can show. There are 750,000 cases in the appeals system now. Each requires often hundreds of pages of medical files, hearings, and evidence. A 30 year old man living to 90 on disability will receive over $1 million in taxpayer-paid benefits for himself and his child. The huge cost of this benefit to tax payers forces the system to be careful in doling out these benefits.

The role of the disability process is to be a gatekeeper. The SSA appeals section is overwhelmed, underfunded and understaffed. On the one hand you have stories like CBS talking about people who are hurt and cannot get disability and on the other you have conservatives criticizing the system for paying people who sometimes can and do work. The average disability recipient receives back within 1-2 years all the money they ever paid into the system. Their remaining decades of benefits will be paid from other taxpayers'' contributions. So, as a taxpayer I want a properly funded and staffed system to provide for the truly disabled and protect our country''s pocketbook from people looking to defraud the system or an easier way out of unemployment.

[hope19811]

My Mother is a 48yr. old disabled lady suffering with chronic COPD, Rheumatoid arthritis, ADHD, extremely high blood pressure, a list of mental disorders, and has had seven different surgeries after being hurt at work. She has a list of doctor''s and specialist who are backing her up. She was partially approved, but later denied after being evaluated by one of Social Securities doctor''s who said she wasn''t disabled enough. My mother has been fighting for help since 2001. My mother has no insurance and can''t afford her medications. She has to go to her local health department for help. She was recently given a nitroglycerin tab at the health department because her blood pressure was extremely high. The practitioner stated that if she hadn''t come in at the time she did she would have died. I DON''T WANT MY MOMMY TO DIE!!! I''m a college graduate and I''m away from her now working on my Master''s. The SSDI told my mother that she should have her children take care of her, I''m a student and can barely afford my own bills. I NEED SOMEONE, ANYONE TO PLEASE HELP BEFORE IT''S TO LATE!!! I DON''T KNOW WHAT TO DO I''VE SENT LETTERS MADE CALLS TO THE SSDI CASEWORKER WHOSE HANDLING MY MOTHER''S CASE AND I''VE NEVER GOTTEN A RESPONSE! I saw the story tonight on the news and felt as if an angel has answered my prayers!! SOMEONE FINALLY CARES AND IS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAJOR PROBLEM!! Thanks Keteyian you are a blessing in disguise!!!

[rogeres1]

All this long waiting period for Social Security Disability started when the government cut out
wel-fare. Instead of making wel-fare recipients go to work like the government said was going to happen, all the wel-fare recipients applied for Disability. They were too lazy to work, the government gave them wel-fare then the government gave them Disability. Then the government decided to change the laws in 2006 to make it harder for people to get their disability. Now when a person has worked and paid in their disability and gets hurt, They have this long waiting period. My brother has been waiting exactly 2 years. I have been supporting him with my disability. We just found out that my brother could have been drawing SSI which is about $600.00 a month. He was turned down once for this but could have applied again but no one told him. The local Social Security office is not supposed to volunteer this information but if asked directly they are supposed to answer truthfully. Well the social security office lied to us and the division of family services lied to us also. We have begged for help from DFS, from Social Security, from churches, DAEOC, and even from our Representative
Joanne Emerson-none of them helped. I was suicidal from all the stress last July, my brother became suicidal in August. Now it is January and we are still waiting for a decision. This government and all it''s officials are going to have a lot to answer for when they go before GOD.

[indigo2008]

This issue is more complex than this short segment can show. There are 750,000 cases in the appeals system now. Each requires often hundreds of pages of medical files, hearings, and evidence. A 30 year old man living to 90 on disability will receive over $1 million in taxpayer-paid benefits for himself and his child. The huge cost of this benefit to tax payers forces the system to be careful in doling out these benefits.

The role of the disability process is to be a gatekeeper. The SSA appeals section is overwhelmed, underfunded and understaffed. On the one hand you have stories like CBS talking about people who are hurt and cannot get disability and on the other you have conservatives criticizing the system for paying people who sometimes can and do work. The average disability recipient receives back within 1-2 years all the money they ever paid into the system. Their remaining decades of benefits will be paid from other taxpayers'' contributions. So, as a taxpayer I want a properly funded and staffed system to provide for the truly disabled and protect our country''s pocketbook from people looking to defraud the system or an easier way out of unemployment.

[hope19811]

My Mother is a 48yr. old disabled lady suffering with chronic COPD, Rheumatoid arthritis, ADHD, extremely high blood pressure, a list of mental disorders, and has had seven different surgeries after being hurt at work. She has a list of doctor''s and specialist who are backing her up. She was partially approved, but later denied after being evaluated by one of Social Securities doctor''s who said she wasn''t disabled enough. My mother has been fighting for help since 2001. My mother has no insurance and can''t afford her medications. She has to go to her local health department for help. She was recently given a nitroglycerin tab at the health department because her blood pressure was extremely high. The practitioner stated that if she hadn''t come in at the time she did she would have died. I DON''T WANT MY MOMMY TO DIE!!! I''m a college graduate and I''m away from her now working on my Master''s. The SSDI told my mother that she should have her children take care of her, I''m a student and can barely afford my own bills. I NEED SOMEONE, ANYONE TO PLEASE HELP BEFORE IT''S TO LATE!!! I DON''T KNOW WHAT TO DO I''VE SENT LETTERS MADE CALLS TO THE SSDI CASEWORKER WHOSE HANDLING MY MOTHER''S CASE AND I''VE NEVER GOTTEN A RESPONSE! I saw the story tonight on the news and felt as if an angel has answered my prayers!! SOMEONE FINALLY CARES AND IS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAJOR PROBLEM!! Thanks Keteyian you are a blessing in disguise!!!