Disability Benefits Resources

FYI: Information About Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits

(CBS)  American workers pay part of each paycheck into Social Security disability insurance. And that federal money goes toward paying benefits to those who are injured - and can no longer work.

Each year, 2.5 million people apply to get some of that money back, in the form of disability benefits. But most applicants are denied.

A two-month investigation by CBS News found that this safety net might not be there when the most vulnerable of Americans need it most.

The following are resources about disability insurance compiled by our Investigative Unit.

The Basics

Check out the official Web site of the Social Security Administration.

For the Veterans Administration, click here.

Find out more about housing for people living with disabilities at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Department of Labor has information about working with a disability here.

More resources are available at the American Association of People with Disabilities.

Check out the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, which provides representation and advocacy on behalf of those seeking Social Security and Supplemental Security income.

Also, check out the Web site of the National Association of Disability Representatives here.

Seeking help from a community of people living with disabilities? Check out the Handicap and Awareness Support League.

For Information about Applying for Disability, visit the Social Security Administration disability Web site.

To get more general information about Social Security Disability, click here.

The SSA also has information about efforts to identify and implement compassionate allowances for children and adults. Learn more here.

Dig Deeper

Check out the Social Security Administration plan to reduce the hearings Backlog and Improve Public Service or its 2007 end-of-year fiscal report (.pdfs).

The Social Security Disability Coalition offers free information and support, with a focus on SSDI reform. Check it out here.

For information on the Fullerton - Edwards Social Security Disability Reform Act, click here.

Think it couldn't happen to you? Read a first-person account of injury (graphic content) here.

Information for specific injuries or illnesses

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes MS as a chronic illness or “impairment” that can cause disability severe enough to prevent an individual from working. Check out what the MS Society is doing to help individuals in trying to prevent difficulties in securing SSDI coverage.

Or, check out the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

For mental health resources, visit the Web site of the National Mental Health Association.

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate is another resource. Visit it here.

Getting the Benefits you Deserve

Allsup, Inc., is a for-profit company that helps individuals in applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The company's Web site includes several resource sheets, including:

Disability guidelines

Disability resources

Disability eligibility evaluation

To help individuals with disabilities apply for and receive the benefits they deserve, Allsup provides its “Top 10 Tips for Breaking through the Backlog.”

1. Determine eligibility. To be eligible for benefits, claimants must have been disabled before reaching full retirement age (65-67) and meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disabled, which generally means being unable to work due to a medically determinable mental or physical impairment expected to result in death or last for at least 12 months. Individuals must be under age 65 and also have worked and paid into the program for five of the last 10 years.

2. File immediately. If an initial claim is denied, Allsup notes that the wait for an appeals hearing now takes an average of 524 days. There is no time to lose.

3. Obtain doctor’s agreement. Claimants need written medical confirmation of their qualifying conditions when they apply. According to Allsup, not having a doctor’s agreement when filing could delay the process a month or more.

4. Get help. Filing for disability benefits is a complicated process akin to preparing a difficult income tax return. Allsup emphasizes that the earlier applicants seek help, the more support they can get to help put them back on the right track.

5.Prepare an accurate medical record. A comprehensive factual record is required to convince the government to provide benefits.

6. Establish your work history. Compile records of dates and tenure of previous employment. As noted above, individuals must have worked for five of the previous 10 years to qualify for benefits.

7. Meet deadlines. If benefits are denied at any stage of the process, claimants have only 60 days to file an appeal. If the deadline is missed, the process starts over from the beginning.

8. Reduce spending. The long wait for benefits means that people lose their savings, their cars and sometimes even their homes. Cut out unnecessary spending as quickly as possible and prepare for the long haul. And don’t use credit cards. Allsup reminds applicants that high-interest debt will add to long-term problems. There may be other, more affordable options for handling expenses.

9. Maintain health insurance. There will be a temptation to cut spending on insurance, but Allsup notes that even after individuals begin receiving disability benefits there is a two-year waiting period for Medicare eligibility.

10. Don’t give up. The Social Security Administration denies more than 60 percent of all initial applications, but two-thirds of the people who appeal eventually will receive their benefits.

[pwilfong]

We need even more eyes on this- there are SO many families in great need because of the SS system.-
As American''s we should demand this be taken care of NOW and not send one red sent out of the country to help others until every single person waiting in the "back log" at least gets an answer.
Shame on us!

[pandsbowen]

THANK YOU...I spent over 1/2 of 1 year in the hospital..seriously ill..was told I nearly died 3 times...filed for disability as soon as I could think straight(still working on that)and was denied 2 times and finally hired an attorney. I have been disabled since 9/24/2005. Others are dying and others don''t deserve it. I''ve lost some respect for this system. Someone please help us. I would gladly work.

[WKREBES]

THE GOVERRNMENT HAS BECOME THE PROTECTOR OF THE CORPORATE EMPIRES AND HAS BETRAYED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. GEORGE BUSH AND THE RIGHT-WING ELECTED REPUBLICANS TAKE FROM THE POOR AND GIVE TO THE WEALTHY. SOCIAL SECURITY WAS ESTABLISHED TO HELP THE POOR BUT IT HINDERS THEM FROM OBTAINING THE ASSISTANCE WE HAVE PAID FOR ALL OUR LIVES. ONLY WHEN THE POOR RISE UP IN REBELLION WILL THE GOVERNMENT RESPOND TO THE PROBLEMS OF OUR SOCIETY.

[al1328]

I saw your broadcast on Social Security Disability and
what you reported is happening to me.I applied in 2005
and was denied,then in 2006 denied again,filed an appeal and that was denied and filed another appeal which is front of the Virginia appeals boardnow.And I am A Gulf War Veteran fought for this country and had to get my Congressman John P. Murtha''s office involved in my case.I have 12 out of 17 discs in my back that are herniated with advance disc degenerative disease.So I can say from personal experience you have to file and appeal more than once.

[hdking46]

as someone who has been trying to get SSDI and know what a nightmare it has become.. i waited my 2+ yrs after being turned down twice and now after my hearing i was told after 5mos that my doctors info was not good enough, everything that my doctor states was discredit how can this be living in america and paying into this SS system since a teenager, and they dont care they do everthing they can include lying and cheating to not pay what you deserve, they should be in jail if we did this in a job (WHICH IS WHAT THEY ARE) employees we would be fired and possiblly jailed.. its time this should happen.. or do we not have any right except to pay our taxes.....

[honeybunny00]

I JUST SAW YOUR STORY ON DISABLED PEOPLE AND HOW THEY HAVE DELAYS IN RECEIVING THEIR BENEFITS!! I HAVE BEEN HELPING PEOPLE FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS IN GETTING WHAT IS DUE THEM, IF THEY ARE IN FACT DISABLED! I HAVE BEEN THRU THE PROCESS AND HAVE GOTTEN THEM THEIR BENEFITS WITHIN 6-12 MONTHS, EVEN IF A APPEALS COURT PRESENCE WAS REQUIRED! I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS TAKING SO LONG FOR THESE PEOPLE TO GET THEIR BENEFITS! THERE ARE 2 DIFFERENT KINDS OF DISABILITY BENEFITS, SSD AND SSI.

IF I CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME ANYTIME, AS I WOULD LOVE TO HELP THEM AND MY FEE IS MINIMAL COMPARED TO AN ATTORNEY, AND I ALSO HAVE DEALT WITH THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

ALSO, MANY ATTORNEY''S DO NOT TELL THEIR CLIENTS, LIKE I DO, THAT THEY ARE ALSO ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A $500 REDUCTION,IF THEY ARE DISABLED OR ELIMINATE THEIR PROPERTY TAXES ALTOGETHER, IF THEY ARE WHEELCHAIR BOUND. MY PHONE NUMBER IS 561-312-3739, OR FAX [phone].

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!! HOPE I CAN HELP SOMEONE, AS I HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AND MY CLIENTS ARE WILLING TO ATTEST TO THIS!!!

[dbmart7]

I am on of the many who have been suffering thru this Social Security Disability nightmare. I have debilatating pain from back problems that make it impossible for me to stand sit or walk for more than 30 minutes with out pain killers. And the pain killers put be to sleep for 5 to 8 hours. But twice SSD has said i can work...like someone will hire me with this condition and reation to medication! I have now had to get a lawyer and am in the hearing stage. The main problems is that with out an income I can''t afford insurance and without insureance I cant afford medical care. Not all states have help for those who cant afford medical care.
What are we suppose to do? SSD doesn''t look favorably on you if you dont have a doctor and are not taking medication for your problem, but then they also dont help you get this help either. And even if you do get the SSDB you have to wait up to 2 years for Medicaid to kick in...excuse me but if a person gets SSDB then doesn''t it follow they NEED medical help and medication, and on what SSDB pays who can afford insurance not to mention getting any with a pre-existing condition. Seems to me the whole system is designed to make you give up, shut up, and suffer in silence.

[pandsbowen]

FORGOT TO MENTION....I''M STILL WAITING TO GET A " H E A R I N G".....

[normado-2009]

I HAVE WORKED ON ONE JOB FOR 35YEARS AND AM NO LONGER ABLE TO. WHY WOULD I VOLUNATIRLY GIVE UP A PAYCHECK EVERY 2 WEEKS WITH GOOD BENEFITS TO BE TREATED LIKE I AM A LIER AND MADE TO FEEL LIKE NOTHING I HAVE LOST EVERYTHING AND AM GETTING READY TO LOOSE MY CAR. YET WE KEEP SENDING TRILLIONS OF MONEY OVERSEASE WHEN YOU TAKE CARE OF HOME FIRST.I DONT WISH WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH ON ANYONE AND WE SHOULDNT HAVE TO GROVEL FOR WHAT WE HAVE PAID INTO .

[rdeko-2009]

We have been waiting for 13 years and finally got a favorable dcision on Dec. 27 2007.
We are still waiting for our payments to start and back pay.
My husband is disabled and entitled along his/my daughter. Her whole childhood has gone by doing without. How do you get back the years -her/our lives could have been so much better.

I''ve had to file for bankrutcy -almost evicted twice etc...
And we are still waiting after finally being approved.

And nobody can tell us why or when we will finally get paid.

RDeko

[itsthebean]

I work in a Social Security field office and I can tell you what one of the major problems is - frivolous claims. In the last few months, I have had about 4 people file for benefits because of having the sickle cell trait. They don''t actually have anemia or any other disabling condition, just the trait. But I have to send it for a medical decision just like any other claim. I realize that''s only 4 claims for me but multiply that across the country and we have a serious problem.

Problem number 2 is our consumer base is growing rapidly as the baby boom generation enters the age where they are most likely to become disabled. The obvious solution would be to hire more people but our budget doesn''t allow it, we can''t even replace people we lose.

I don''t work in a hearings office so I don''t know what the deal is with the waiting time there. However, I can say that the people I have been fortunate enough to work with at SSA are among the most caring individuals I have met. We are not out to ruin anyone''s lives and try our best to help people within the confines of the law. There are certainly aspects of the law I would like to change, like the waiting period for SSDI benefits and Medicare.

I would really like to know if Mr. Investigative Reporter Man took the time to actually visit a field office and see what it''s like. He should shadow a claims representative for a week. I think he''ll have a new appreciation for the dedicated employees of the Social Security Administration.

[rdeko-2009]

Correction the approval date was
September 27 not Dec 27 -still waiting for payments.....

[itsthebean]

Rdeko, you shouldn''t have to wait so long after your claim is approved by the judge. For SSI benefits, we''re supposed to have those claims started within 15 days ideally. Issues can delay it like attorney involvement or workers compensation. Have you asked your congressperson/senator to help you?

Due to the length of my comment, I am breaking it up into several sections.

My biggest issue with the SSA is the massive delay. I hit a deer in ''03, have spinal cord injury in my neck and lower back, some spinal column but not cord impact in my thoracic. I applied in April ''04, after trying unsucessfully to work. I was denied, of course, because (according to one source) 95% of people are, their first time. I appealed, and 18 months later (January ''06) I had my first hearing. The appeal was submitted in August ''04... Eventually, that judge retired, so I had a second hearing in February ''07, with a fairly quick denial. Oddly enough, the judge ruled that I had a severe impairment of type degenerative disk disease with radiculopathy in my lumbar, but that I did not have degenerative disk disease with nerve root or spinal cord compression or compromise (that, of course, is the definition of radiculopathy - nerve root compression or compromise near or at the spinal cord).

So I guess I have three issues:

[savgirl1]

I have been waiting on SS Disability benefits since 2000. I have been denied, called a liar, asked what my husband does for a living and been evaluated and told I was faking it by a receptionist with no medical training. All that SS wants me to do is give up. Not gonna happen. Right now I am waiting on a hearing date (for 18 months) in front of the US District Court of Appeals, Southern District, Savannah, Ga (Judge Edenfield) now, but I do have my congressman, Jack Kingston''s office involved again for the second time. Maybe this time I will be approved. But wait, if I am approved, I will then have to wait 6 months or so for my first check.

One, the length of time it takes to go through the process. I am married, with three wonderful girls - the youngest does not even remember me not hurt. We are an intact family, though stressed and strained, because I am unable to get in home care so that my wonderful wife can work, and she retired from her job with SBC as a 411 operator back in 1998. Thus, our income is unfortunately public assistance - which will run out in 2009...

Two, judges who have no oversight, who can take as long as they want, just sitting on a case, or writing decisions that are contradictory and incorrectly cite evidence as well as ignoring or excluding other evidence (the prescriptions for wheelchairs, the diagnosis of the neck damage, etc.), who basically can take whatever time they want to rule however they feel and massage the "decision" to justify their position - regardless whether it applies to the facts in evidence.

[rainybo]

THE PROOF THAT THIS SYSTEM IS BROKEN, CAN BE EXPLAINED BY ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING DENIED AND TREATED LIKE LIARS ! LIKE THEY''RE TRYING TO BEAT THE SYSTEM WHEN ALL THEY WANT IS WHAT THEY DESERVE.SO, HOW CAN THIS BE WHEN YOU HAVE MULTIPLE DRS WHO HAVE VERIFIED THESE HEALTH CONDITIONS, BUT NOW THEY ARE BASICALLY BEING CALLED LIARS, AS WELL ! BUT I BET YOU, IF YOU HAVE A MAJOR DRUG ABUSE ISSUE, ACT LIKE YOU CAN''T HANDLE LIFE NORMALLY,AND YOU CAN FIND A DR WHO SAYS IT''S SO, THEN YOU FILE YOUR CLAIM AND BEFORE LONG, YOU RECEIVE BENEFITS ! I KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE I HAVE MANY FRIENDS & FAMILY MEMBER WHO HAVE 20 & 30 SOMETHINGS RECEIVING BENE''S ! IT SEEMS THEY HIDE UNDER THE GUISE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AS IN CAN''T OR WON''T GIVE UP DRUG ABUSE. MAYBE THAS WHAT WE LEGIT PEOPLE SHOULD DO, CRY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, DO REALLY GOOD ACTING JOBS AND GET A CHECK !

[dk1139]

My husband was denied disability benefits because although he has enough credits paid into the system they were not paid in the right time period. It is one more way to deny coverage to those in need.

Three, the big one, is that were our SSDI payments going to a non-government agency at the cost we pay for the disability insurance, the federal government or state government would jump in and get that company to work correctly! As a federal government agency, however, a denial of benefits rate of 70-95% is perfectly acceptible.

I guess there is a fourth issue. While these people who cannot work due to disablility are waiting for the benefits they paid for, they are required to tap every resource they can to simply stay alive and with a home. This means that they will be on public assistance, as well as tapping the resources of charities and entities that can help with utilities, etc. That is assuming that they manage to get enough help to stay together, alive, and housed. HOW MANY families fall apart, HOW MANY people become homeless, HOW MANY simply die, because of the time if takes our federal government to do the right thing? In a private insurance business, the initial application approval rate would be over 50% anyway, even in the worst businesses...

[rdeko-2009]

My congressman''s office has gotten involved with the local office -Dec 17.
They didn''t start processing until until Nov 24th almost 60 days from approval.
No workman''s comp =yes attorney and they don''t have an answer either.
This is for SSD

So, from a fiscal perspective, it seems that the federal government would spend less money (on food stamps, TANF, the HUD and other grants) by making sure the SSA would do the right thing at the SSDI level. Simply put, it would cost less to approve some people who really aren''t disabled (monitoring and follow up could be implemented) that it does to put people through the anguish of the appeals process - which truly adds insult to injury.
I apologize for the length of this comment, but I have been waiting for over 4 years for the approval, trying to get the media involved for probably three of those years. Hopefully this comment will be read by enough to start a grassroots effort to reform the SSA at least where the SSDI element is involved.

David Smith
[e-mail]

[l5719]

Children get SSDI and the parents may not even use this money for their treatment. I know of people who get this. I sincerely believe survivor benifits from SSI really needs to be evaluated and perhaps dropped. Taxpayers do not have unlimited money''s that can be redistributed. People who have disabilities and paid in for years or served their country first should recieve SSDI.

[jawood37]

They need to revise the whole system. Fire everyone who feels we don''t have a right to apply for benefits.
I have heart disease, 6 stents in my heart and a triple by-pass, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, PAD, DVT in both leg, chronic neuropathy get worse, five screws in right ankle and severe neck and back injuries from an auto accident. I have all my cervicals disc with bulges and all my lumber discs with bulges, can''t stand longer than 12 -15 minutes, can''t sit longer than 30-40 minutes can''t raise my arms. I take 400 units of insulin a day for severe diabetes and 16 other medications. Who would hire me?
But Social Security says I can still work and don''t qualify for benefits. I have also worked into the system for 40+ years.

[dlfender1]

I have been in the process for 14 months now and denied twice for different reasons and was told it will be another 18 months for the trial hearing. I am a disabled veteran who was declared unemployable by the V.A. which another battle in itself. I wrote a letter to my state''s senator and the response from that office was that the hearing could not be expidited unless I was evicted or dead, either of those options would be alittle late for help to arrive. While employed the government got their money from my pay on time and without question and they didn''t have to wait another 18 months or fear losing their home and credit worthyness.

This is a follow up to my multipart one. I note that many of us who are in the process feel as if we are being treated as if we are liars. I am part of that group, because my doctors say one thing, but they are putting far more credence to the doctor that apparently lied to ME than they are the several doctors I have seen in the last 4.5 years... In the last decision, the judge even stated that he feels I am not credible (legalese for "I think the claimant is a liar")

Oh yeah. When I was able to work, I averaged 2,000 to 2,500 per week. Why would I trade that for 2,000 per month?

[karlafaulk]

My husband has seven herniated discs in his back from the top to the bottom. He was in the military and then was in reserves for over 20yrs. We married nearly 2 yrs.ago. This was a very scary situation for me when we found this out about a year ago when he was experiencing numbness in his foot and out of balance not to mention the pain in his back. Several thousands of dollars later we feel that he should have some sort of benefit for disability, but he is afraid to file anything for fear of not being able to work to support us and our new relationship. His work is now in the civil service and works on airplanes which doesn''t help his situation. We don''t know what to do or where to begin. He should be able to retire in about 4 yrs. from his job, but we can''t afford for him to do so. Any suggestions for filing a claim? Thank You for you help!

[dlfender1]

I was also told by a lawyer that I was too young at 45 and wouldn''t be considered unless I was over 50????

[trekmanalpha]

I have been trying for the last 2years to get SSI Disability. I am on oxygen, in a wheelchair, have osteoarthritis in my back,knees and I am diabetic. I worked hard as a CNA for twenty-six years. Now that I am kaput because of my back breaking job, the government won''t let me have MY money that I paid in to them for all those years! I need the money to pay my bills medical and otherwise! What the heck gives here!!!??? The government wastes our tax paying money on outrageous pork spending bills. You all know what I mean. Good grief! Where can I go and what can I do to get my SSID NOW!!!! Trekmanalpha

[trekmanalpha]

I have been trying for the last 2years to get SSI Disability. I am on oxygen, in a wheelchair, have osteoarthritis in my back,knees and I am diabetic. I worked hard as a CNA for twenty-six years. Now that I am kaput because of my back breaking job, the government won''t let me have MY money that I paid in to them for all those years! I need the money to pay my bills medical and otherwise! What the heck gives here!!!??? The government wastes our tax paying money on outrageous pork spending bills. You all know what I mean. Good grief! Where can I go and what can I do to get my SSID NOW!!!! Trekmanalpha

[dlfender1]

to karlafulk, if he is a veteran start with the v.a.

[lighttan]

i saw your show tonight. i thought i was alone, i''m losing my home, all my bills are behind. it is so sad that our goverment seems to want to see our people suffer so much like this. i think there should be a separate ave. for people have been working, becuse why would i want to do this to myself. become homeless, begging for help and wantting to die. i need to tell my story

[ssdc9]

Major kudos to CBS for this story! If you are foolish enough to think this scenario could not happen to you - you could be dead wrong! Anyone could be one step away from these people''s fate. Trust me there is so much more that due to time constraints could never be told on this broadcast.
With the stroke of a pen your life could be destroyed forever! If you or anyone you know needs help contact the Social Security Disability Coalition which offers FREE information and support with a focus on SSDI reform at:
[e-mail]

[Corspeak]

I let a couple of family members know about this report as I already went through the hell of this process. Because I don''t appear disabled to them (Multiple disc herniations in entire spine, disc degenerative disease, osteoarthritis (way before my time), tendonitis -or- torn rotater cuff in right shoulder (dr can''t make up their minds), and now bouts of severe depression. I need to take pain meds and, like others who have posted, I can''t work with the side effects, especially in a field where any "drug use" is cause for immediate dismissal (my last job I tried and failed to do ). Ironically, I worked as a substance abuse counselor for 13 years and prior to that, I worked for Social Security but mostly just in the Retirement and Survivors part.

I''ve been falling down since 2002, walk with a cane, am single and no one will date me because of the cane, spend endless hours alone finding it nearly impossible to achieve motivation, despite psych meds, to keep moving every day. Just went for 3 months of aquatherapy...nothing''s really helped...and don''t feel any better. Psychotherapists have been clueless. People always ask me why I can''t work since I have a good mind, etc., etc. and I am sooo tired of trying to explain. CHRONIC PAIN IS HORRIBLE AND I WOULDN''T PUT MY WORST ENEMY THROUGH THIS!

[Corspeak]

To lighttan...I have felt alone and suicidal more time than not over the past 7 years and didn''t know where to tell my story to people who would understand. I too was told I was "too young" to be disabled for the rest of you who wrote. My STRONGEST ADVICE: GET AN ATTORNEY ASAP WHO SPEACIALIZES IN THIS...THEY ARE EVERYWHERE...AND IT WON''T COST ANY MONEY UP FRONT. THEY GET 25% OF PAST DUE BENEFITS BUT BY THEN, WHO CARES IF THE CASE IS APPROVED!!!

[ssdc9]

Major kudos to CBS for this story! If you are foolish enough to think this scenario could not happen to you - you could be dead wrong! Anyone could be one step away from these people''s fate. Trust me there is so much more that due to time constraints could never be told on this broadcast.
With the stroke of a pen your life could be destroyed forever! If you or anyone you know needs help contact the Social Security Disability Coalition which offers FREE information and support with a focus on SSDI reform at:
[e-mail]

[arpad92]

I am retired. After 32 years of working in the SSA Disability field, (for both state and federal agencies)I conclude the law must be changed along with rules which flow from the law. Disability under SSA is probably the most medically/legally complex program of its kind anywhere. Private disability insurers could not afford to administer anything so complex. Other countries seem to make it easier to get benefits.

[lustyk44]

There is a Fullerton Edward Social security reform bill on the table. i agree with alot of the issues mentioned. Such as the 5 month waiting period. it is suppose to be for the disabiling condition to cure itself, however if you have a condition that there is no cure, what the heck are you waiting for.
There are so many people that apply for disability that are not disabled or have neve worked that apply for disability everyday. People go to the welfare office and say they need a check because they can''t work and welfare sends them to social security to apply for disability since they claim to not be able to work. then the junkies are now mentally disabled so that is more claims. do you relaize how many claims that is and how many go to the hearing office and waste time. only to be denied only to reapply because the agency told them to do it. There are so many people that come into the office and say they have worked all their lives only to have a couple hundred for 4 years! what is that. and you expect what? And all those people on ssi. You talk about the survivors benefits. at least someone worked for that. they are entitled to survivors benefits. but that ssi. the government really needs to recheck that. they pay about $630.00 to every disabled individual. so if you have 10 children that is $6300 per month. is that fair. you didn''t earn 1 dime of that so how is that fair? The entire social security system needs to be looked at totally and redone.

[Corspeak]

CORRECTION: After checking out the Social Security Disability Coalition website, I learned they have FREE resources to help you with your claim so attorney''s don''t purposely delay your case to get a larger share of your back benefits. Wish I had known when I applied...

[advocating2]

Thank you for bringing attention to the problem. The
government starts the prejudice and the private insurers continue it.

We thought we were covered we bought private long term disability from the Bank of NY thinking there was an inflation rider only to be told that the increase only applied if you go back to work. They do not honor their policy. We bought a long term care policy through Johnson & Johnson through CNA and they will not pay out even though The Traumatic Brain Injury fund in NJ has deemed my husband disabled.

The United States Government needs to set an example that we as a nation do not tolerate the inhuman treatment of the ill and disabled. Thank you again.
My husband has been ill since he is 34 years old and people between the ages of 21 and 65 become the forgotten class. As Mrs. Washington in the then Senator Corzine''s office said to me in 2001 we should be ashamed of ourselves asking for help. She said children need help and the elderly. What happens to the children of families with illness and disability.
I have lost jobs because companies do not want to carry us because of insurance liability. It is time the United States steps up to the plate and does the right thing for the ill and diabled.

Social Security for the disabled is broken, as is the ADA under the EEOC, as is the tolerance for private insurance companies abuse towards the ill and disabled.

[lauralee1136]

I filed for SSDI in March of 2005 and finally had a hearing in Nov 2007. I was told by Allsup that a decision had been made by the judge in Dec, but that decision had not been typed up yet and that I may not know what the decision is for up to five months from now. My parents have been supporting me for the past 13 months when my savings ran out. I am 44 years old. It''s frustrating to know that the decision is made and I cannot know what it is, and still have to rely upon my senior parents to support me for up to another five months. This system needs fixed NOW.

[madsay]

I''m a veteran who''s on ssdi, and this year my benefits went up only $14, while my rent alone went up about $50 !!!

[lustyk44]

if you are on ssi you have not worked in 5 year before you became disabled or you have not worked at all. so you have lived off your parents or somebody for longer than 5 months.

[lustyk44]

if you are on ssi you have not worked in 5 year before you became disabled or you have not worked at all. so you have lived off your parents or somebody for longer than 5 months.

[vote08]

This maybe the only time we can get some of these issues corrected. Everyone needs to be informed about these issues. Great job CBS keep it up. Call your representatives and let them know you are going to voice and vote on these issues. This is a limited window to get their attention. CBS please keep on the subject of disablities. My brother is continually having to fight for his assistance. The SSA gave a 2.3% cost of living raise and the Texas Food Stamp program lowered his food assistance to $35 a month. We got our state Representatives involved and at least for the next three months his food allotment has been increased. Learn, speak up, involve your representatives and vote. Thanks again.

[tremoraction]

Laura Lee and others, we support your use of Allsup, Inc. We have articles from Allsup available at www.tremoraction.org. We started providing SSDI eligibility rights to disabled movement disorders patients in 2005. We also have a few articles written by patients. Wishing you a favorable decision!

[vote08]

One other statement- the people in the position to deal with your case are usually caring people that have a very difficult job. PLEASE CALL YOU REPRESENTATIVE AND TELL THEM YOU WANT CHANGE AND VOTE.

[kathyash1]

I have been trying for three years to get disability and still fighting have lost my house all my savings and all my retiremrent and now live on every little sometimes idont eat for days at a time and have no way to pay for medical or medicans

[sherkesh-2009]

I was injured on 12-2003 and stopped work. I submitted an application for SSD on 1-11-07.I was rejected because of an error on a medical report. I filed for an appeal by a SSA Administrative Law Judge on 6-07. I was scheduled for a hearing on 1-2-08. At the hearing office, The Judge gave me a copy of a list of Legal Representatives and told me to consider obtaining Legal Representation and my case would then be rescheduled.
He had copies of all medical records. I filed for all appeals and now was told to hire someone for up to 25% of past due benefits or $5,300 whichever is less. I then requested my case be rescheduled. And on it goes. I have assistance but not a lawyer, and do not want one. All of us who were there for hearings were turned away. The site is backlogged already and I am sure this did not speed things up. It also gets me closer to the poor house. Thanks.

[pray61]

It took me nearly 2 years to get my SSD. I had 2 brain surgeries and have had 2 back surgeries. While I was waiting to be approved my neighbor got her 4 year old on Disability because he could not talk good. She ended up being approved for him and drawing twice the benefits I was given. She draws a check because she is his care giver.She has never worked and of course neither has he.The abuse of the Soc. Sec. Sys. blows my mind!!!
I live on less than $1200 a month. yes, that is more than some people draw and I am thankful for what I get. I draw widow ben. on my husband.
This entire sys. is so screwed up it will take years to fix it.