Why are so many Americans on disability?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not get a job and work? There are quadriplegics on ventilators who work. There are people with severe multiple sclerosis who don't demand our tax dollar support them. Why can't you work?

Because Democrats have so bastardized the disability requirements that merely being a cross-dressing male makes a person eligible for disability. You'd be shocked by the utterly frivolous lifestyle choices that make a person eligible for disability as Democrats have expanded the criteria over and over again.

I work for SSA and do disability claims for a living. This is a lie. Disability criteria has not changed meaningfully in the last two decades. The biggest change made it harder, not easier to qualify for disability based on mental impairments (12.00 impairments) or musculoskeletal impairments (1.00 impairments). For a mental only disability you generally need schizophrenia, psychosis, very severe bipolar that doesn’t respond to treatment or a very low IQ.

It’s also very, if you are under 55. Even over 55, it’s unlikely if you’ve done skilled or higher level semi skilled work in the last 5 years.

Also, if active substance abuse contributes to your disability, you don’t qualify.

And yes, a large percent of applicants are vets.

Get your facts right.

Thank you for the actual FACTS.

People like the OP are total jerks.

They also fail to realize what cutting off disability benefits will mean to the rest of us: shocking homelessness and soaring crime.

Think India. You want to live among beggars?

Most people have no problem with vets getting needed assistance and support.

[Anonymous]

A big reason is also demographic. Lot of Boomers in the almost retired not quite group on disability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not get a job and work? There are quadriplegics on ventilators who work. There are people with severe multiple sclerosis who don't demand our tax dollar support them. Why can't you work?

Because Democrats have so bastardized the disability requirements that merely being a cross-dressing male makes a person eligible for disability. You'd be shocked by the utterly frivolous lifestyle choices that make a person eligible for disability as Democrats have expanded the criteria over and over again.

I work for SSA and do disability claims for a living. This is a lie. Disability criteria has not changed meaningfully in the last two decades. The biggest change made it harder, not easier to qualify for disability based on mental impairments (12.00 impairments) or musculoskeletal impairments (1.00 impairments). For a mental only disability you generally need schizophrenia, psychosis, very severe bipolar that doesn’t respond to treatment or a very low IQ.

It’s also very, if you are under 55. Even over 55, it’s unlikely if you’ve done skilled or higher level semi skilled work in the last 5 years.

Also, if active substance abuse contributes to your disability, you don’t qualify.

And yes, a large percent of applicants are vets.

Get your facts right.

I do pro bono work helping homeless clients apply for SSDI and this all tracks with the various cases I’ve handled. I have actually yet to get a client approved where the sole disability listing is mental impairment because it is not severe enough to qualify. And of course have seen many issues where drug use led to denial.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My military service gave me a life threatening, disfiguring disability. They give me a disability payment not so that I won't work, but to offset the cost and loss of function. Think of it like a settlement.

Thank you for your service. I am glad our tax dollars are available to people like you.

Yes thanks you are your occupation and oppression of Los Angeles. Never again can the US military claim they keep us safe and protect our freedom. What a load of crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not get a job and work? There are quadriplegics on ventilators who work. There are people with severe multiple sclerosis who don't demand our tax dollar support them. Why can't you work?

Because Democrats have so bastardized the disability requirements that merely being a cross-dressing male makes a person eligible for disability. You'd be shocked by the utterly frivolous lifestyle choices that make a person eligible for disability as Democrats have expanded the criteria over and over again.

I work for SSA and do disability claims for a living. This is a lie. Disability criteria has not changed meaningfully in the last two decades. The biggest change made it harder, not easier to qualify for disability based on mental impairments (12.00 impairments) or musculoskeletal impairments (1.00 impairments). For a mental only disability you generally need schizophrenia, psychosis, very severe bipolar that doesn’t respond to treatment or a very low IQ.

It’s also very, if you are under 55. Even over 55, it’s unlikely if you’ve done skilled or higher level semi skilled work in the last 5 years.

Also, if active substance abuse contributes to your disability, you don’t qualify.

And yes, a large percent of applicants are vets.

Get your facts right.

Thank you for the actual FACTS.

People like the OP are total jerks.

They also fail to realize what cutting off disability benefits will mean to the rest of us: shocking homelessness and soaring crime.

Think India. You want to live among beggars?

Most people have no problem with vets getting needed assistance and support.

Sure they do. According to them, all vets are liars and sponging off society with made-up disabilities. Read the thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My military service gave me a life threatening, disfiguring disability. They give me a disability payment not so that I won't work, but to offset the cost and loss of function. Think of it like a settlement.

Thank you for your service. I am glad our tax dollars are available to people like you.

Yes thanks you are your occupation and oppression of Los Angeles. Never again can the US military claim they keep us safe and protect our freedom. What a load of crap.

Stfu. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not get a job and work? There are quadriplegics on ventilators who work. There are people with severe multiple sclerosis who don't demand our tax dollar support them. Why can't you work?

Because Democrats have so bastardized the disability requirements that merely being a cross-dressing male makes a person eligible for disability. You'd be shocked by the utterly frivolous lifestyle choices that make a person eligible for disability as Democrats have expanded the criteria over and over again.

I work for SSA and do disability claims for a living. This is a lie. Disability criteria has not changed meaningfully in the last two decades. The biggest change made it harder, not easier to qualify for disability based on mental impairments (12.00 impairments) or musculoskeletal impairments (1.00 impairments). For a mental only disability you generally need schizophrenia, psychosis, very severe bipolar that doesn’t respond to treatment or a very low IQ.

It’s also very, if you are under 55. Even over 55, it’s unlikely if you’ve done skilled or higher level semi skilled work in the last 5 years.

Also, if active substance abuse contributes to your disability, you don’t qualify.

And yes, a large percent of applicants are vets.

Get your facts right.

I do pro bono work helping homeless clients apply for SSDI and this all tracks with the various cases I’ve handled. I have actually yet to get a client approved where the sole disability listing is mental impairment because it is not severe enough to qualify. And of course have seen many issues where drug use led to denial.

But the reality is a lawyer well versed in SSI/SSDI knows what to say and what not to say.

I know people who have destroyed their bodies with drugs and alcohol who currently receive SSDI. The lawyer who completed the paperwork for them (same lawyer for both) focused on their mental and physical health issues (noting liver and kidney disease were definitely caused by alcohol abuse which was presumably prompted by underlying anxiety, depression and bipolar). I didn’t actually see the paperwork; I’m relying on what was told to me by the people receiving the benefits. The two I’m thinking of are in their early 50s and haven’t held a job since their 20s.

But they travel. They live a nice life. Their parents largely underwrite their living expenses.

Ftr, I’m all for disability benefits. I just question why these people I know IRL can check out of life and not work like the rest of us.

[Anonymous]

Some of you all know or are related to some real pieces of work. They sound awful but they don’t represent the vast majority of individuals receiving disability.
For every person playing the system there are more that desperately need it, more that need it and are too proud and ashamed they need help so refuse it and many more that are one tragedy away from needing it.

[Anonymous]

eh, I don't really care about the outlier cases of the fraudsters and grifters. Time and time again we have seen that restrictions and double checking and hoop jumping cost more to run a program than just providing it to all and accepting that some "non-deserving" will get it. Like school lunches.

I would rather one fraudster live off disability (which is not a glamorous life) to make 10 people with true hardship disabilities or children with disabilities access easier. I won't lose sleep over that.

But America is full of people looking in other plates and not wanting them to have anything they didn't earn (except billionaires of course)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My military service gave me a life threatening, disfiguring disability. They give me a disability payment not so that I won't work, but to offset the cost and loss of function. Think of it like a settlement.

This is exactly what happened with my dad. Lost an eye in the war, so he lost his career and couldn’t qualify for a lot of jobs. He worked until he was 65.

Eff you OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:eh, I don't really care about the outlier cases of the fraudsters and grifters. Time and time again we have seen that restrictions and double checking and hoop jumping cost more to run a program than just providing it to all and accepting that some "non-deserving" will get it. Like school lunches.

I would rather one fraudster live off disability (which is not a glamorous life) to make 10 people with true hardship disabilities or children with disabilities access easier. I won't lose sleep over that.

But America is full of people looking in other plates and not wanting them to have anything they didn't earn (except billionaires of course)

Exactly. People like OP are uncaring or mean and not very thoughtful about how they get a handout…tax cut, PPE loan, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not get a job and work? There are quadriplegics on ventilators who work. There are people with severe multiple sclerosis who don't demand our tax dollar support them. Why can't you work?

Because Democrats have so bastardized the disability requirements that merely being a cross-dressing male makes a person eligible for disability. You'd be shocked by the utterly frivolous lifestyle choices that make a person eligible for disability as Democrats have expanded the criteria over and over again.

I work for SSA and do disability claims for a living. This is a lie. Disability criteria has not changed meaningfully in the last two decades. The biggest change made it harder, not easier to qualify for disability based on mental impairments (12.00 impairments) or musculoskeletal impairments (1.00 impairments). For a mental only disability you generally need schizophrenia, psychosis, very severe bipolar that doesn’t respond to treatment or a very low IQ.

It’s also very, if you are under 55. Even over 55, it’s unlikely if you’ve done skilled or higher level semi skilled work in the last 5 years.

Also, if active substance abuse contributes to your disability, you don’t qualify.

And yes, a large percent of applicants are vets.

Get your facts right.

I do pro bono work helping homeless clients apply for SSDI and this all tracks with the various cases I’ve handled. I have actually yet to get a client approved where the sole disability listing is mental impairment because it is not severe enough to qualify. And of course have seen many issues where drug use led to denial.

But the reality is a lawyer well versed in SSI/SSDI knows what to say and what not to say.

I know people who have destroyed their bodies with drugs and alcohol who currently receive SSDI. The lawyer who completed the paperwork for them (same lawyer for both) focused on their mental and physical health issues (noting liver and kidney disease were definitely caused by alcohol abuse which was presumably prompted by underlying anxiety, depression and bipolar). I didn’t actually see the paperwork; I’m relying on what was told to me by the people receiving the benefits. The two I’m thinking of are in their early 50s and haven’t held a job since their 20s.

But they travel. They live a nice life. Their parents largely underwrite their living expenses.

Ftr, I’m all for disability benefits. I just question why these people I know IRL can check out of life and not work like the rest of us.

SSA back again.

As to liver and kidney disease. It’s very hard for these to make much impact unless they are very severe/approaching dialysis/transplant levels. I see a lot of stage IIIB chronic kidney disease that has no impact. Liver disease, you start to need things like bleeding ascites. Neither are going to move the needle unless you have repeat hospitalizations. In which case, it’s very easy to tell whether the claimants hospitalization is caused by active substance abuse. First, they run a tox screen. Second, it’s noted and coded differently in the medical records if it’s related to substance abuse. And if it is, even if you’re heading to dialysis (usually and easy yes) it’s not an allowance.

That said, people who used substances in the past, are clean and sober and have severe liver and kidney disease will be allowed. Just like former (heck, current) smokers are allowed on lung disease. It’s impossible to look at someone headed to dialysis and say for certain how much was drugs and alcohol vs environmental vs generic. We don’t try. As long as you aren’t currently using.

My strong guess is that this person was allowed based on the “something else”.

And yes, people self medicate all sorts of things with drugs and alcohol. And it’s easy to say “well that’s on them”. But these same people often have very limited access to health care and no access to mental health care. Nothing made a proponent of universal healthcare more than working with disability claimants. Because you see the human toll everyday of not getting early detection and decent care. It hurts society as a whole so much to let untreated diabetes or hypertension become strokes and amputations. We pay in the end anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not get a job and work? There are quadriplegics on ventilators who work. There are people with severe multiple sclerosis who don't demand our tax dollar support them. Why can't you work?

You talking about the vets?

When it comes to the Department of Veterans Affairs, these two instincts may be in tension. The department’s budget has surged over the past two decades, rising from $86bn in today’s dollars (then equivalent to 2.6% of the federal budget) in 2000 to $336bn (5% of today’s budget) this year. It now receives almost three times as much as the Department of Transportation. Remarkably, this boom has occurred despite a nearly one-third decline in the veteran population, which has fallen from 26m to 18m. Annual spending per veteran, as a consequence, has risen six-fold.
includes programmes such as the department’s medical services. But the main driver of its spending surge is mandatory outlays for disability compensation. Between 2000 and 2024, such payments ballooned from $26bn, in today’s prices, to $159bn. Last year alone saw a 17% jump. And the department’s latest budget request forecasts that compensation will soar to $185bn over the next two years.

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/11/28/american-veterans-now-receive-absurdly-generous-benefits

This what happens when you engage in a 20 year war you can’t win and healthcare tech and care continues to advance. 20 years of injured vets and now we can keep more of them alive than ever. It is a good thing, but also very costly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not get a job and work? There are quadriplegics on ventilators who work. There are people with severe multiple sclerosis who don't demand our tax dollar support them. Why can't you work?

Because Democrats have so bastardized the disability requirements that merely being a cross-dressing male makes a person eligible for disability. You'd be shocked by the utterly frivolous lifestyle choices that make a person eligible for disability as Democrats have expanded the criteria over and over again.

I work for SSA and do disability claims for a living. This is a lie. Disability criteria has not changed meaningfully in the last two decades. The biggest change made it harder, not easier to qualify for disability based on mental impairments (12.00 impairments) or musculoskeletal impairments (1.00 impairments). For a mental only disability you generally need schizophrenia, psychosis, very severe bipolar that doesn’t respond to treatment or a very low IQ.

It’s also very, if you are under 55. Even over 55, it’s unlikely if you’ve done skilled or higher level semi skilled work in the last 5 years.

Also, if active substance abuse contributes to your disability, you don’t qualify.

And yes, a large percent of applicants are vets.

Get your facts right.

Thank you for the actual FACTS.

People like the OP are total jerks.

They also fail to realize what cutting off disability benefits will mean to the rest of us: shocking homelessness and soaring crime.

Think India. You want to live among beggars?

Most people have no problem with vets getting needed assistance and support.

Sure they do. According to them, all vets are liars and sponging off society with made-up disabilities. Read the thread!

I said most people, not most DCUM posters. This crowd does not represent most Americans.

[Anonymous]

Huge % of 20 year military claim stress, file for ptsd and receive additional benefits. It’s like a right of passage at this point. And it’s very senior people too. Who go on to work private sector and contractor jobs plus vet plus disability payments.