Re: Disability and Administration

[Guest guest]

Amy,

Social Security Disability Benefits will not be limited for people who

are legitmately found to be disabled. There are so many rumors flying

now - ingnore them. You receive benefits on * your * work record, your

husband's income has nothing to do with * your * benefits. If this were

SSI benefits, then yes, your benefits would end because one of the

requirements of SSI is low or no income, and only then would your

husband's income come into play.

Your SSDI benefits are subject to a Continuing Disability Review - I

think every 5-7 years and any adjustments made - like failure to report

a change in disability, returning to work, change of address or marital

status.

You may want to monitor the http://www.socialsecurity.gov/women/ site

or the main site http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ You may also want to

sign up for SS email updates http://www.socialsecurity.gov/govdelivery/

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

 

I'd like to see that proposal in more detail.  Do you have a link to it?

 

Based on what you described, it sounds like an incredibly unjust plan.

 

Your disability payments should be based on your own ability to work and produce

income, not the income of your husband.

 

If you had a job and became unemployed, should your unemployment check be based

on your husband's income too?  That would be absurd.

 

If you were working, you needed the income and should be eligible for the

benefit.

 

This disability program is an insurance program, not a low income welfare

program.  We all pay the premiums for this disability insurance, so we

should all be eligible for the benefit should disability arise.

 

If that were not going to be the case, you should have been notified in advance,

prior to becoming disabled, so you would have had the opportunity to purchase an

individual private policy instead and then you could have had income

protection.  It is not fair to take away the benefit after you are already

disabled.  It's morally wrong to do so. 

 

What will this do to all the two-income families who need both incomes to

support their household?  Not many families can manage on just one income. 

Many, I would guess, will be at risk for losing their homes if this change

passes.

 

Also, if you are losing disability, does that mean you also lose the Medicare

benefit as well?  That would be a terrible loss.

 

In reality, an income limit of $100,000 is not very high.  In many parts of the

country, an income of $100,000 isn't even enough for a family to buy a tiny

house in a decent neighborhood.  What many people don't appreciate is that

housing expense in higher cost areas can eat up a significant portion of a

six-digit income very quickly and a change in income of $10,000-20,000 will have

a huge impact on the qualify of life for that family.  That could be their

food/clothing money.

 

And remember that we have to pay tax on that benefit.  So the higher a person's

overall family income, the more of it they are already giving back to the

government in taxes.

 

If an income ceiling were needed (and I disagree that it is), it should be

something much higher, like $250,000 or even higher.  And even then, it should

not affect existing beneficiaries and fair notice of at least six months should

be given to healthy workers regarding the change, so alternative plans may be

purchased by these individuals if so desired.  And if any individuals are turned

down by private disability companies due to pre-existing conditions, he/she

should still be allowed to participate in the governmental program.  And, the

income cutoff level should vary depending on the area where a person lives.  But

that's just my opinion. 

 

I wonder how much money cutting benefits from disabled persons will actually

save the government. 

 

It sounds like a terrible plan.  I'd be interested in reading more about it.

 

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Gretchen, thank you for clarifying this matter.  That makes more sense. 

Unfortunately, I didn't see your email (which went to Spam by mistake) until

after I wrote mine.  Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered.  Thanks, as always,

for the clarification. 

 

Amy, if there's a legitimate draft of something out there that is different, I'd

still be interested in seeing it.

 

Thanks!

 

From: gfijig@... <gfijig@...>

Subject: Re: Disability and Administration

Date: Sunday, February 22, 2009, 10:36 AM

Amy,

Social Security Disability Benefits will not be limited for people who

are legitmately found to be disabled. There are so many rumors flying

now - ingnore them. You receive benefits on * your * work record, your

husband's income has nothing to do with * your * benefits. If this were

SSI benefits, then yes, your benefits would end because one of the

requirements of SSI is low or no income, and only then would your

husband's income come into play.

Your SSDI benefits are subject to a Continuing Disability Review - I

think every 5-7 years and any adjustments made - like failure to report

a change in disability, returning to work, change of address or marital

status.

You may want to monitor the http://www.socialse curity.gov/ women/ site

or the main site http://www.socialse curity.gov/ You may also want to

sign up for SS email updates http://www.socialse curity.gov/ govdelivery/

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Amy,

I agree that there are so many people abusing services I know a few and yet many

people who are truly disabled fail to meet the requirments for some reason.  I

know a guy who got into a fender bender where both bumpers were still in tact

yet he claimed back problems and any crooked doctor can say there is some kind

of back problem with anyone.  He was given a large judgment amount and

permanently disabled yet he builds houses on the side and on a baseball and

football team.  Also his child is fully covered because of him being

" disabled " . 

I work in the courts and see thousands of cases just like that and yet someone

like me would not get a dime because of my long work history and my age makes no

sense.  I am also single and need a lot of medicine just to get through the day

and take care of my child.  Even if I did qualify for benefits I could not

survive soley on them because it would only be a small percentage of my current

salary. 

I also worked in mental health 9 years and see how much red tape there was and

how people with no apparent problems were receiving therapy, housing and

services because they were some how labeled disabled because they convinced the

powers that be that they suffered from depression.  I think that's why they are

looking at making provisions but sounds like they are going about it the wrong

way.  I feel the same as you that while working we all contributed to Social

Security benefits.

I am no expert on how SS looks at CMT but I know of no real case where the

disease reversed itself and you no longer become disabled.  I think they should

leave people with progressive degenerative diseases with little or no treatments

available alone and provide services.  They should look at all the scammers out

there that cash out on our expense.  I hope it works out for you and that they

do not take appropriate benefits away from you.

Andy

[Guest guest]

What's the logic here? I haven't read the thousands of pages in the stimulus

package, but what about it would help those who are disabled go back to work? Is

the president providing people with CMT a cure or bionic arms/legs or something

to take away the constant pain?

I realize there are people that should not be receiving disability, but those

" bums " won't want to go back to work because of a stimulus package. The

remainder of us have legitimate disabilities and aren't working for a

reason...we have been deemed " disabled " .

Some of you presidental fans, fill me in...educate me on this:)

Amy Hodge    

[Guest guest]

I cannot recive any help from Soc. Sec. I am only 24 but my CMT prevents me from

working more than a few hours a week. My husband works very hard and makes about

40K a year. I have had back and hip problems

thanks to CMT all my life so I have never been able to work full time.

They say I haven't paid in enough to recieve disability and our income

is not low enough to recieve SSI. I find this unjust. I think I should

be entitled to some sort of help. I cannot work full time so I cannot

get insurance through work and with two adults and two small children

40K isn't alot, no way I can afford private insurance.

I am not really worried about the money, but I think I should at least get

insurance. If I left my husband we all know that I'd recive all sorts of help

from the state and federal government. It's just plain stupid.

[Guest guest]

If you feel the need to report waste, fraud and abuse of Social

Security, do so at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/guidelin.htm

If you feel the need to make comments about Disability and

Administration, contact http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and voice

your thoughts.

Read about the Administration's Disabilities agenda

http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/disabilities/

Please remember that is not a 'sounding board' for your

political 'opinions'. Sometimes life is just not 'fair'. Nor is

it 'just'. If you want 'fairness' or 'justice', prepare yourself to

work for them. Articles are posted to that reflect life with a

disability, or SSDI/SSI news are for your information.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Gretchen,

Nicely put. Anyone else with other personal or political issues should visit

the links you've provided, or contact Dear Abby. Otherwise, you should be

charging fees and team up with Dr. Phil.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Andy,

You know of someone that has abused the system and you didn't report it? 

The people responsible for looking into these matters are probably pretty

overwhelmed.  It is up to people like you and me to help them find the abuse and

go after the ones that are basically stealing from the rest of us. 

Then maybe we wouldn't have to go through so much red tape to get our benefits

when they truly are necessary.

 

Dennis

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

 

Our new administration is not expecting people who are totally and permanently

disabled to go back to work!!!

 

They are trying to provide work and educational opportunities for people who are

able but suffer some type of disability.  They recognize that even though we

have the ADA, those with disabilities are still not given an equal opportunity

in the workplace.

 

In other words, this program is to help those who want to work but who are

discriminated against due to their disability or handicap.  To read more about

the plan:

 

http://massworks.org/index.php?option=com_content & task=view & id=143 & Itemid=1

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/DisabilityPlanFactSheet.pdf

 

   

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Gretchen, for publishing this information.

 

Fraud and abuse is a big issue that the new administration is trying to

address.  They will have much greater success if the community is also involved

in stopping it.

 

From: gfijig@... <gfijig@...>

Subject: Re: Disability and Administration

Date: Monday, February 23, 2009, 9:54 AM

If you feel the need to report waste, fraud and abuse of Social

Security, do so at http://www.socialse curity.gov/ oig/guidelin. htm

If you feel the need to make comments about Disability and

Administration, contact http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and voice

your thoughts.

Read about the Administration' s Disabilities agenda

http://www.whitehou se.gov/agenda/ disabilities/

Please remember that is not a 'sounding board' for your

political 'opinions'. Sometimes life is just not 'fair'. Nor is

it 'just'. If you want 'fairness' or 'justice', prepare yourself to

work for them. Articles are posted to that reflect life with a

disability, or SSDI/SSI news are for your information.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

:

Social Security/Medicare is based on how many hours and or years you have

worked. It has nothing to do with your husband's income. Extra help to pay for

insurance, premiums is decided by how much your husband makes.

One who recieves social security disability can only make up to the amount they

receive from disability. It sucks, but that's life. If you need extra money,

your children are able to recieve social security monthly until they are 18. If

they have a disability, they can continue receiving it after.

I just learned this fact a few days ago and I have a telephone interview with SS

for my son next week.

Marin

Bridgeport, CT

[Guest guest]

Amy Hodge,

Try living off of 16,000 a year or less with hardly any health coverage. It's

about time the rich pay their dues instead of living off the backs of those that

have less. The loop holes needed to be closed a long time ago!

If I got what some people do 100,000 for example.I'd think I had died and gone

to heaven! Not only would I be glad that I would have better health care but I

would know I could afford food and housing.

Count your blessings! Look through the eyes of someone that has less,help

someone, traded places......you might be glad you did!

If people think it's better in another country then they shouldn't be in

America, why don't they just go and good rinse to them! People with more than

enough wanting more...makes me gag!

Geri

[Guest guest]

Dennis,

I know hundreds of people who scam the system.  How do you propose I catch

them?  The justice system is not great and even if I tried to turn them in who

would really listen and what would really be done about it?  I would have to go

through a lot of red tape and legal recourse at my expense and put myself at

risk. 

I am one person and unfortunately I do not control the system.  I would have to

prove that the system at whole is at fault and the crooked doctors are in fact

crooked.  I am not a doctor or a lawyer even though I know a lot about the legal

system.  I would say 90% of law suits in the courts are fraudulent and 95% of

all law suits end up settled which means we all suffer. 

I know this cause I work in the courts and have to see this every day.  In most

cases that do end up in trial the Jury finds in favor for the plaintiff because

they were mislead by the " expert " reports.  Many people would say we should not

get any benefits too. How can we prove to them some of us should be on it??

Most people want hand outs.  I fall all the time and even hurt myself.  Sure it

would be easy to sue because of the slippery falls and no wet floor sign but I

would never do that because I would be as bad as the rest. 

It's not only those who completely fraud the system many people should be

working or bettering themselves yet they rely soley on benefits. 

I have never taken any hand out or accomadation because the reality is I am

disabled and why should my employer have to put out all this money just to get

me to do a job I maybe should not be doing to begin with.  It may sound mean but

it would be unfair for me to demand an ADA accomodation to work in construction

for example obviously I can not do that even if I know the job well.

I am realistic and know I have to work twice as hard as the rest simply because

I have a disabilty, it's no ones fault it just is.  I also picked a field early

in life that would not require an employer to have to bear the expense of major

accomodations because I want equal rights in that job. 

I do think we should have the same oppurtunities as most within the scope of

our limitations.  Accomadations should be made for anyone as long as its cost

effective.  I recently was sought out at work and told to take accomodations I

refused however I found public accomodations I noticed such as better floor mats

more ergonomic desks that will in fact save money in the long run.

I feel many people truly deserve benefits because they worked deliginently and

paid into SS but I agree that there needs to be some incentives for people to

work until they can't possibly do so anymore.  In this country we have tons of

oppurtunites to be educated and find a realistic trade and career we can do

within our limitations. 

I am not bitter that it's not easy for me to collect benefits it should be hard

and a last resort.  What makes me mad is how many who obviously are not disabled

seem to get benefits over someone who obviously needs them.  In many countries

you see disabled people on the streets walking on their hands and knees and no

one is there to care for them. 

We are very fortunate to live in this country with endless opportunites.  When I

worked in Mental Health I turned the company in for fraud and Medicaid made them

pay it back.  Many people I am sure would have a lot to say to me about who am I

to say they should not receive services. 

I left the field because of the red tape.  I went to school to help people who

need the help and I felt my hands were tied so I realized things like volunteer

work are a good way to give back.  I am not just talking about dumping old

clothes in a bin and think I did my part, I mean going to shelters and actually

give to them.  I bring my daughter there once a year to show her how well she

has it and she is extremely grateful for all she has.  I can take her to a toy

store and she would never ask me for a toy.  Even though I am able to spoil her

with gifts, she would rather me save my money because she knows she has a lot

more then most. 

Andy

 

[Guest guest]

I don't know that I'd " blame " the current administration for coming up

with this idea.

To my recollection, the idea of income-based limitations for SSDI, as

well as income based Social Security payments overall, gets floated at

the beginning of most administrations by some budget office or the

other. Right off hand, I recall proposals over the past several years

by the CBO or the GAO. ANd that's what they remain - rpoposals,

ignored by whatever administration is in office and the COngress.

Remember that the SS program is called the 'third rail' by

politicians ... you touch it at your political risk.

[Guest guest]

Hi Geri,

 

You do realize that if you make $100,000, that isn't what you take home, right? 

As a single person making that much money, it's likely you would bring home a

paycheck that is less than half of that amount, after taxes and all the other

deductions that are taken out.  And if you have a spouse and children to care

for, the money doesn't go as far as you might think.

 

If your income is $16,000, you likely pay less than 5% or $800/yr in taxes/yr,

leaving a net of $15,200.

 

For a married couple making $100,000, they could easily pay $30,000/yr in taxes

and $10,000 for healthcare premiums.  If they are self-employed, they may even

pay more.  That leaves them with a net income of $15,000 per person.  When you

factor in the cost of a three bedroom home, two cars, daycare, clothing,

gasoline, food, and diapers, you may find that they are struggling to make ends

meet too.

 

And with this couple paying 30 to 40 times more in taxes than a person in a

lower tax bracket, I'd hardly say that 'they got rich off the backs of those who

have less'.  In fact, the taxes that couple would pay in a year would not only

pay for Amy's benefits, they may pay for yours as well.

 

It's easy to judge and very difficult to see how things truly are through the

eyes of another.  It's also very easy to feel sorry for one's own situation and

point the finger of blame at someone else who has nothing to do with it.

 

With all due respect and sympathy for your situation, there is a need to

exercise caution in your words.  Your comments to Amy were harsh and

inaccurate.  I happen to know that she is a very charitable woman with

an incredibly big-heart full of gratitude.  With her generous spirit, she is

already very well aware of the joys of giving and helping others.

 

And really, all of this discussion is irrelevant, since we are talking about an

insurance program.  Regardless of a person's income, if a person paid premiums

for this insurance benefit, the person was entitled to receive the benefit and

it should not be taken away.

 

From: Geri Logan <hotwheels@...>

Subject: Re: Disability and Administration

Date: Monday, February 23, 2009, 1:05 PM

Amy Hodge,

Try living off of 16,000 a year or less with hardly any health coverage. It's

about time the rich pay their dues instead of living off the backs of those that

have less. The loop holes needed to be closed a long time ago!

If I got what some people do 100,000 for example.I'd think I had died and gone

to heaven! Not only would I be glad that I would have better health care but I

would know I could afford food and housing.

Count your blessings! Look through the eyes of someone that has less,help

someone, traded places...... you might be glad you did!

If people think it's better in another country then they shouldn't be in

America, why don't they just go and good rinse to them! People with more than

enough wanting more...makes me gag!

Geri