white male by chance?  stab in the dark

Yep.

My uncle did so much crack that his mind and body is pretty much shot.

He got disability for it.

Correct.

Notice how the "unemployment" numbers went down, while disability skyrocketed.

Work above the substantial gainful activity threshold level (currently $1090 IIRC)  after your five month trail work period can result in a benefit cessation, though with an extended period of eligibility allowing for an immediate resumption of benefits should you subsequently stop working above that level. And that only applies if you're not in a 301 or ticket to work program. Beneficiaries are given a great deal of assistance and leeway in attempts to return to work. Work below SGA has little to no effect on benefits.

Yup, doesn't sound like much, does it? But here's the thing; that doesn't count as 'income' for other programs, and the vast majority of money / services from other programs don't count as income / resources for SSI. So yeah, there are people out there who can't work, who are trying to scrape by on 700 / month. There are also shit-tons of folk out there who are collecting 700/  month for themselves, 700 / month for each of their two kids who have "oppositional defiant disorder", 500 a month in food stamps for their three person household and whatever other benefit they can wrangle, while receiving subsidized rent via section 8, subsidized utilities, free breakfasts and lunches for their kids through the school system, free cell phone service,free school supplies via charities, free Christmas gifts via charities, free bus passes...

Some of the "poorest" among us have an amazing amount of disposable income.

bulk of it is legit but there's a lot of fraud.  Still looking for the disability that prevents someone from smoking weed all day and buying steak and lobster on their EBT card

PTSD and hearing loss?

Ha!  Vets.  I can tell you sir, that even a certified taxpayer-funded therapy dog cannot hear Direct Deposit.  You have to register your spouse as a caretaker, then Uncle pays her $1500/month to check that shit for you.

Cha Ching!

You think SS disability is bad, check out VA disability. Makes my stomach sick. Especially when people who have real issues can't get the care they need because worthless pieces of shit eat up limited resources.  

I can name about 40 fellow soldiers/marines who are all gaming the system with zero wrong with them. NOTHING wrong with them. Most never even saw combat yet they all have PTSD.

No it's really not. I worked for a lawyer who specialized in the racket while I was in college.  90%+ are scamming, The rest are fucking junkies and people who destroyed themselves to the point they are breathing meat bags.

Less than 1% are so bad they can't work.  Can't walk? well you can type. Can't type? Well you be a walmart greeter.,ect ect ect.    Only a foolish civilization dumps all its resources into the worthless and unproductive.

SSDI used to be very difficult to get.  Over the years, the standard has slipped, and under Zippy, it's hard not to be considered disabled.  The husband of a friend has been out of work for about 8 years.  He's tried for SSDI, and is almost there.  He received a lump sum of about $25k.  He doesn't really have a severe diagnosis, the friend pretty much admits he's just lazy.  But if you don't work, that's usually enough.  The X-Box got SSDI, and she worked just fine until she decided it just wasn't her thing.  The fiancee has had three back surgeries, is in chronic pain and goes to work every day. Go figure.

I listen to WC cases all the time, and including my own, I am usually shocked that EVERYONE who has a WC claim is also getting SSDI.  In my last case, the claimant was working very close to the time SSDI was awarded, and may have been on SSDI when my accident happened.

big.gov figured out that we aren't creating jobs anymore.  Education doesn't prepare kids to work, and many don't have the motivation.  So, what to do?  Wither away the standard for SSDI to nothingness, and millions of marginally qualified people will have a means of support which doesn't require them to get out of bed.  See also, Thread about Greek sex workers.  So, that helps to keep the unemployment rate lower than it would otherwise be.

I agree on a philosophical level (and if I were emperor, it would end yesterday), but on a practical level I say this - get it while you can, if you can, and if it's better than your next best alternative. Being pious about it isn't going to fix the national debt, or our collective addiction to deficit spending. All it will accomplish is you feeling (kinda) good about yourself, while literally everyone else is cashing in, completely negating the example you've purportedly set.

Game Theory is real.

I think most people agree with that, in principle.

It's the details in implementation that make it sticky.

How exactly has "the standard" "slipped" in recent years? How has the allowance rate changed under "Zippy"?

Then you get the visit from the Feds to pick up your guns.  Our Imperial leader has now implemented EO's that state that all Vets and SSDI folks that have a caretaker to manage their financial affairs are now considered not "mentally competent" to own firearms.  You take the King's shilling, you follow his rules.

 

You have no idea what you're talking about.  Honestly.

In the ghetto, a lot of it is word-of-mouth.  They all share stories on how they got their kids on disability.  It often involves doctor-shopping until they find someone who will diagnose the kid with some emotional or learning disability that can't be easily disproved.  It also doesn't hurt that the parents let the kids run wild, so an ADHD diagnosis is almost a given.  Occasionally, they will pull the "neurological" disorder card, since you can't really prove that the kid isn't in some sort of pain.

I actually have had a few different disorders, since I was 10.  Migraines, digestive issues, and back / neck pain from a car accident.  Disability wasn't even a thought in my house.  It was mostly just "suck it up".

My bro in law gets money from the Navy because he has heartburn

I'm not joking

these assholes
http://www.mylerdisability.com/
let 1000's of people scam SSI disability every year.  

oh and I think the economy of Puerto Rico would collapse if SSI went away.

And its genetic.....passed down from generation to generation.  Surprisingly started after LBJ's Great Society programs.

One more example of government run programs that take money out of the pockets of the diminishing percentage of Americans that work.  It's also another example of the decline of our society.  There was a time when very few would scam the system because it would be considered the same as stealing.  I know a number of people who are perfectly capable of working who are, "disabled," in one way or the other and are perfectly capable of working.  There is such a high percentage of people on government assistance and doing well that in my business it's very hard to hire people to clean buildings at $13 per hour unless it's under the table.  They don't want to jeopardize their free money from the government.

"...when the government tells you you're depressed, lie down and be depressed."

50th?  I don't know why, but I always thought your avatar was you.  



 

where do u live? what do you do? the soc security office decides disability if you have a very lenient officer & a dr. who will right the right letters it may be easy.  but it most of the time its pretty difficult.  

soc security disability is based on your ability to get & hold a job it is actually pretty hard to get so hard lawyers are advised but once you get it there is no reeval & if you get any pay that reports to the IRS you lose benefits so many don't look for work again & many work only under the table pay.

veteran disability is based off of range of motion the veteran must prove the injury was service related - it must be documented in the medical records.  So you may see a veteran at a 540%-60% RATING WITH NO VISIBLE AILMENTS BECAUSE THEY BROKE SOMETHING AND have lost motion or strength.

100% permanent disability is very hard to get unless you are missing parts then it is automatic it takes the VA about 3 years to do amajor claim with an appeal.

+1


And pointing out the abuse in every subgroup is not specifically an attack on that group - but people get up in arms via the equivalent of "Ma baby didn'..." - which is why you don't see threads pointing out the abuse and outright fraud seen everywhere, including the military and the VA.   The people may vary but the mentality is the same.

The irony is how so many "disabled" people will in turn have a hobby to make money "on the side" and use their disability to brag about it:   Hey, look at me I can work, but just not officially so help supplement my free-stuff salary by buying the shit I make myself in my free time...  you know, that normal people would do as a job!  

And that was what I came in here to reference. Great article.

Yup.

I used to work with the VA and saw the same stuff, but with a 100% VA disability heaped on top (usually another $1800-2400 a month depending on number of dependents).   Several of these guys were blatantly bragging about being "disabled" and not having to work.

In one situation, an older bodybuilder type was "disabled" for a shoulder injury (couldn't raise one arm above his head).   He USED to work at a gym before being disabled - now he works at the same gym (for the free membership) but only part-time so he doesn't lose his bennies.   Although older, this gentleman was a physical specimen and could have been mistaken for an NFL linebacker with gray hair.

Another situation involved a younger guy who had a lower back injury from falling out of a helicopter or basic training or something - again, 100% disabled via VA and SSDI - he didn't work, but his hobby was to travel the country in an RV...  no kidding: he'd pay rock quarries $20 a saturday to dig up rocks literally with pick axe and shovel.   Apparently he liked making jewelry.   It's important to note that this guy was in better shape than most people I know, and "hopped" into the exam chair.  

I know a current vet who makes car parts by hand in his garage; and is turning that into a full time business (sanding, cutting, standing on his feet for hours a day) but is "disabled."  It seems the disability means nothing more than an irregular work schedule.

The egregious examples go on and on, including all the youthful saps in the private sector:  I know a doctor who has a mentally impaired daughter:  expensive house, both he and his wife work and make good money, yet the daughter is disabled so they get thousands a month in disability for school, etc.   Naturally, they prioritize to reduce costs:  the less they spend the more they keep of that "suppliment."  The mentally disabled child will eventually need full-time care and will be a ward of the state IF the parents pass - but I'm not sure why we're collectively paying for it now?   Of course these people also feel there is never enough money to do all the things for them they don't want to pay for themselves.  


These anecdotal recollections also don't take away from the men and women who ARE disabled, and need assistance to live in some manner of dignity.   I think most of us are ranting a little but also really pointing out that the interpretation of "disabled" is broken and needs more common sense - whether it takes years to apply for or not.  

I've had cancer multiple times (including a stem cell transplant) and wound up seeing people at work who were disabled for lesser issues because the chemo made them feel tired.     So yeah, there's a character issue there but I'm not sure how you legislate it.

How much money do you get for disability?

Agreed, this coming from someone wh is dealing with a disabled family member

Yep.   I'm 30,  though.   The chances I'll make it to 67 are slim to none,  so the LTD policy works out pretty well.

Combat isn't the only way to get PTSD.

getting yelled at hurts feels

...and most of these folks just "hang out" at home, party with friends, play video games, etc.  It's what's wrong with society.

There are a few people out there who never saw combat and definitely deserve their PTSD ratings.

A "friend" of ours convinced SS that she couldn't work anymore.  While out to dinner with them she starts talking about this banking error she had to figure out.  

She saw a 15K deposit with a memo of SSD, took her a second to figure out it was backpay from SS.

A group of us got together after that and she walks in and announces, quite loud and proud, "I got my disability approved!!!!!"

Now she attends the gym several times a week.  The pics she posts seem to portray her as being quite fit.

key is hire a lawyer.

It is a big business, you see the company's, social justice advocacy groups as they like to be called, advertising on radio,TV, etc... that they can help you "navigate the complex and often confusing process of obtaining disability benefits". Some from what I understand will even put you in touch with the "right doctors" to sign off on your claim.

In fact one of the biggest reasons that disability claims have skyrocketed is companies like those that have streamlined the process, virtually making fraud easy and legal, for a price.

Like 25% of your disability check but when you are not really disabled and don't really need the money to live on what is 25% off the top of free money.

Disability is here.

Datability is over there.

Until recently, in PR you could get SSDI because you could not speak English. WTF?

You may not be joking, but you are wrong.  He may be getting money from the VA, but he is certainly not getting it from the Navy.  Facts, they are so inconvenient.

A few? You are right?  The hundreds of thousands who claim it but never did shit.....Not so much.

Poor Little YN1 or PS2 on shore duty.. PTSD...amazing how that works.

I saw my state's VA disability rating tracker when G1 was dumb enough to sit it out on a share drive unprotected. Everyone from my deployment short of maybe 5 or 6 people were 100% full of shit. I'm talking 50+/180 people fabricating and making shit up for a check. The best ones were the pussies who claimed back pain so they wouldn't have to go outside the wire, but had no problem playing basketball and going to the gym everyday.  When you live/train with people for years and get to know them, its easy to tell when they are full of shit.   That is ONE company. Hell I remember the Doc's coaching us on what to say we redeployed and this was over 10 years ago.  

One huge fucking scam. The sad thing is, most of the people who REALLY need care, especially mental care, never seek it.  Some don't want to be associated with the frauds and malingerers. Others suck it the fuck up and live their lives.

mining accident cavin, initial er dr put a band-aid on my nose and sent me on my way, told the safety supervisor hes good to go. I told them I was in pain all over and felt like I got hit by a bus, because I was just crushed. Oh dont worry they said you'll be sore but be ok. The only injury that was covered for work-comp was the cut on my nose the er put a band-aid on. I saw a nuerologist on my own and was also sent for testing. The conclusion was a SEvere concussion , TBI, permenent brain damage.I've witnessed dr's lie and send false info to insurance company. Been told they see some minimal within parameters narrowing of disks, and nerve pain everywhere is from compression injury, but nothing operable. I dont know who to believe anymore. I've had to turn down 80-100 grand a year jobs because of pain through the spine , and head  makes it where just being as still as possibe is the only relief.Mega other pain, whether nerve damage or torn muscle I dont know because i cant get the proper tests. Look, if i could get out of bed 2-3 days in a row I would get a job as a greeter. But i'm doing good just moving around to make sure I take care of myself. I dont get any aid of any kind, nada. But I have filed ss-d in hopes I would either get the medical help I need or file disability. Pride breaker for sure, grass never grew under my feet. I'm sickened by where i'm at and the ethical medical care i've seen. I'm stuck in a spot i dont like for sure.For over 7 yrs i've use savings, 401k and every other dime I had rat holed. If you are sitting back thinking this type of thing cant happen to you.   You may be suprised, car accident, etc. Well what are you going to do, have you already put away enough money to survive on for the rest of your days. If not you might re-think your arrogance thinking everyone is lazy worthless and is scamming the woking man. My pet peave is paying from my taxdollars a public sector .gov employee to sit on his ass and surf the web or play candy crush.

I am on Social Security Disability Insurance.  I worked all my life from age 16 until 43 supporting myself and my family.  I am a college graduate (graduated Magna Cum Laude) and worked mostly with law firms (paralegal/investigator).  I was being treated for OCD (the REAL disease) from age 30 on. It was about the late 30's that I started having the real debilitating OCD symptoms.  It interfered with my work so much that I was on the verge of being fired by my long-term employer (an attorney) because I was, for lack of a better description, "freaking out".  My employer suggested that I apply for disability because he knew what I had been capable of previously and he knew something was dead wrong with me.

I applied for SS Disability and was approved the first time of applying.  It took about 4 months to be approved for benefits.  I didn't have to appeal... I was deemed disabled and received benefits.  After 10 years the S.S. Administration sent me documentation to, essentially, "re-apply" for benefits.  It was really just to verify that I was, indeed, disabled.  I filled out the relatively short form and submitted it to S.S. Administration.  Within about 3 weeks I was "re-approved" for continuation of my benefits for another 10 years.

There are people who want to work (as I do) but really can't provide the services that the private sector wants.  I am, essentially, unemployable, and I live a very dull (boring) life and my wife supports us along with my S.S. disability monetary benefits.  We live a simple life and I get to spend time with my granddaughter.  We are not rich by any means but we love each other and we get along.

If you have any questions (other than being "judgmental") I would be happy to answer your questions.

my experience working with the VA at a residential rehab facility is exactly this. When people who have been at the center for decades are told they're being discharged, they come up with new disabilities to claim that they need treatment for. Most popular is PTSD via sex abuse, as "no evidence is evidence," and use of a drugs and alcohol is considered to be evidence of self medicating -- a man who was raped was obviously too embarrassed to report it, and the trauma must be the reason they've done drugs their whole life and ended up at the rehab center. Once they get their 100% they're miraculously healed and discharge in a brand new car to return back in a couple months for homeless respite because they've burned through their $50,000 backpay and don't have the credit to get a place to live.

before you go insulting his knowledge about something.. maybe you should do some research first. they may not PHYSICALLY come to your house and seize your guns, but they have reportedly put people on the no buy list, and deny their nics checks when attempting to buy a gun.

i actually have some minor ptsd.... it used to be a hell of a lot worse,  paranoia, trouble sleeping, always needing to be armed, nervous as fuck trying to drive in traffic, resentment, angry for no reason, no tolerence for other people, etc..... but i was not going to deal with the gov about it, and get put on a list...everytime a doctor ESPECIALLY a military or va doctor asked me if i felt depressed, or anything mentally negative at all... i always claimed i was a happy boy.... i was NOT, going to get that shit put on my records... ( luckily i was getting meds for other medical issues, that turned out to be very helpful, in helping me get myself mentally back to almost normal. . at the time ( 2007-2008 ) it was not really a problem, since they were not really even discussing using mental health to stop shooters, but i could easily see how they could eventually use that against you.. ESPECIALLY with obamacare hooking the aft, and fbi, etc up to your medical records.. yeah, that will be great for your future freedoms. but since sandy hook its become more and more popular... but since then everytime a shooting happens FBHO starts about mental health, and using it to deny people gun ownership.... make no mistake, when they go there... and i can promise you they will... for safety and the children.... ptsd will be at the top of the list.   im pretty normal now, id dealt with most of my ptsd issues, i not only have minor things crop up occasionally... but nothing a little valium wont cure, or ambien to help me sleep....

 i found the stories he was refering to.. go to the bottom.

hes not wrong. IIRC there was a news story about some vet losing his guns because he was " mentally incompetent", because his wife was paid by the va or something, to pay his bills because he had problems remembering to do it.

or they were discussing taking guns from people like this... i see so damn many stories like this its hard to keep them all straight.

rest assured if the gov tries to attach mental health issues as a reason to not own guns... vets claiming PTSD / feel anger / feel like hurting themselves, etc will be at the top of the list.    while the violent schitzo nut bags who should be in a asylum will walk freely among us.


http://www.wnd.com/2013/04/feds-sued-for-snatching-veterans-gun-rights/

Having worked as a disability examiner for Social Security, I can answer some of these questions.

First of all, the policy for social security disability is far more complex than most people might think, so mistakes do get made.  But for the most part, it boils down to age, work experience, education and functioning due to impairments.  

There is no such thing as a percentage when it comes to SSI or SSDI, unlike like the VA.  You either can work or you can't.  If you are younger than 50 years, you're going to have a hard time getting approved.  It gets steadily easier as you get older.  If you worked a highly skilled job prior to applying, it's going to be harder to get approved.  The more education you have, the harder it is to get approved.  

There is fraud, and there are people who get approved who shouldn't.  But the quality control is fairly strict for Examiners.  However the ALJ's (administrative law judge) who receive appeals answer to pretty much no one, and some of the only ones who see the claimants face to face (with their lawyers).  So this is why you hear about people who have minor impairments getting allowed, because they fought it to the ALJ level, whose allowance rates are sometimes triple what the Examiner allowance rates are.  Also, this is where the money is for lawyers.  They get an easier shot at victory, and get to keep 1/3rd of the back payments (which can span years) once the claimant is approved.

There are fraud units who go out and catch liars and cheats.  They usually get who they are chasing, but the resources are limited and they can only chase so many people.  If you get caught lying, you have to return all the money you got, whether you have it or not.

It's easier to get kids approved, because kids don't work and so their functioning is highly subjective.  This is a double edged sword because there are a lot of kids out there who are disabled who need assistance.  An enormous amount of foster kids who have no support system at all are on disability to care for their basic needs and health care.  By the way, the people who shit on this kind of "welfare", how many foster kids are you willing to give a home to?



This is not true at all.  You have to be a lot more than suicidal to get SS Disability.  And the only people who get moved to the head of the line are generally terminally ill cancer patients and severely injured soldiers.



It does happen, but it's not required just for being on disability.  Depends on the impairment and the age of the person, and the resources available to review CDR's (continuing disability review).  



Not true.  Not even 87% of the people who apply are scamming.