The prohibition is designed to protect individuals who are applying for disability benefits, and SSA officials say that judges have previously trusted unreliable information to make crucial decisions. In addition, the privacy of applicants is often compromised by judges' simply typing in their names as part of a search query.
]]> A U.S. senator has complained that the Internet ban will lead to more fraud. He said that information from the sites has helped ferret out fraud in the past.SSA officials say that fraud investigators should be the ones using the Internet to investigate claims. Judges are supposed to provide impartial rulings in all cases, and access to the Internet could be detrimental to their neutrality. Judges should review available files and evidence to determine whether the person is reasonably considered eligible for disability benefits.
The debate about this issue is likely to rage, as both sides vehemently argue their cases. A balance must be struck to prevent judges from unnecessarily denying claims. No one argues the fact that it's wrong to defraud the government of benefits that disabled people need, but it's also important to realize that there are lawmakers who want to cut most federal entitlement programs to the point that people who actually need them will be cut off. Politicians should instead focus their efforts on making sure Social Security stays solvent.
Source: The Washington Times, "Web put off-limits to Social Security claims judges," Stephen Dinan, May 3, 2012.
]]>The number of receiving Social Security disability benefits has increased dramatically since 2010, according to program administrators. Nearly 2,000 more people received the benefits in Richmond County during 2011, which is an increase of about 25 percent. Additionally, Columbia County saw a 34 percent increase in fiscal 2011. McDuffie, Burke, Aiken and Edgefield counties also experienced a rise in disability claims.
]]> Nationally, disability claims have increased by about 25 percent since 2010. Approximately 10 million Americans receive some form of disability benefit, with 307,000 of those residing in Georgia and about 200,000 living in South Carolina. Current numbers show that approximately 62,000 people have applied for disability benefits in Georgia so far this year.Administrators have theorized that the rising disability rate is due to both the ever-aging baby boomer generation in combination with the sluggish economy. More adults are relying on disability benefits to help them through tough financial times, especially considering that their ailments have limited or completely destroyed their ability to work.
No information was provided about the nature of the disabilities that have been claimed.
Source: The Augusta Chronicle, "More Augusta area residents receiving food stamps, disability benefits," LaTina Emerson, April 27, 2012.
]]>Although more than 20 percent of Social Security funds are allocated for disability payments, politicians seem wary of talking about the issue. Disability insurance funding, according to many experts, is ballooning out of control. Too many workers leave the job market prematurely, lowering their lifetime income. Yet, the disability problem rarely receives any notice.
]]> In addition to the nearly $130 billion in disability insurance payments distributed to the 10.6 million disabled workers during 2011, more than $33 billion was given out through the Supplemental Security Income program. Medicare also paid out about $90 billion to disabled workers. Medicaid spent another $110 billion for disabled poor workers.These programs all provide essential support for disabled individuals, most of whom face a lifetime of unemployment. The growth in spending reflects the changing demographic landscape of the American population. The population is aging, and disability rates among women have risen significantly because of their relatively recent entry into the workplace.
Those factors, though, account for only a small amount of the rapid rise in Social Security spending. It's harder for unskilled laborers whose jobs have been outsourced or mechanized to find stable work. Also, some say the disability program is flawed because it encourages people to permanently stop working.
During tough economic times, some workers turn to the program as a result of layoffs or economic downturns. Unemployment and disability applications seem to increase together when the economy tanks, say experts.
But blaming funding problems on people with real injuries and illnesses is not the answer either. It's time for politicians to do their job to ensure the program remains solvent.
Source: The New York Times, "Disability insurance causes pain," Eduardo Porter, April 24, 2012
]]>People with disabilities must consider different insurance options when starting a new business. They also sometimes require special accommodations. Further, many people with disabilities do not have the assets required to start a business.
]]> People with disabilities are more likely than the general public to be self-employed, according to recent census statistics. The traditional challenges faced by business operators can become overwhelming for a person with disabilities if they do not receive support.That's why a variety of programs have sprung up to assist disabled individuals with launching their businesses. Many states offer loan guarantee programs that allow people with disabilities to more easily borrow through traditional lending institutions.
Florida has implemented one of the most successful programs, called the Central Florida Disability Chamber of Commerce. The program is designed to help disabled people develop business plans and secure funding. The organization helps people put together their business plans, develop financial projections, analyze Social Security benefits and identify funding sources.
In addition, the Department of Veterans' Affairs operates the Center for Veterans Enterprise, a group dedicated to assisting veterans in starting and growing businesses. The group links prospective business owners with resources from the Small Business Administration and the National Association of State Directors of Veterans' Affairs.
Source: Chicago Tribune, "Help for entrepreneurs with disabilities," Elliot Raphaelson, April 17, 2012
]]>Those same loans can sometimes be canceled by working in a particular field. Doctors, teachers and other public servants often qualify to have their loans forgiven. In that situation, taxes do not apply. For those who are on permanent disability, however, taxes may add up quickly into the tens of thousands of dollars, affecting their ability to maintain a reasonable standard of living.
]]> The Internal Revenue Service forms are confusing, according to those who have gone through the process, and many people who receive disability payments are unaware that they may qualify for programs that allow for tax fees to be expunged. Debtors who are declared insolvent immediately before the loan discharge may be able to avoid paying the associated fees.The consequences for failing to pay these massive tax sums can be devastating. The government can put a lien on an individual's house and even ruin their credit. This is particularly distressing, considering that those who are receiving Social Security Disability are likely to be permanently disabled and thus unable to ever work again. The inability to earn new income can hobble from the person's ability to pay the tax fees or any other bills.
Many people who have gone through the process are angry because they have essentially traded one debt for another. Those who have had their loans expunged because of disability say that there's a reason they're unable to pay: They can't work or earn money.
Source: MSN money, "Canceled debt may mean big tax bill," Geri Detweiler, April 6, 2012
]]>According to the most recent statistics, about 8 million Americans receive SSI payments because they are elderly, blind or otherwise disabled. These same people have few economic resources at their disposal. The recently released report, called "Out of Reach," shows that with the maximum SSI payment of about $700 in 2012, people who participate in the program can only afford rent that is $200 per month or lower. It is unlikely that SSI payments alone can provide enough financial support to provide adequate housing for many of recipients.
]]> The report reveals that people who work a full-time job earning only minimum wage cannot afford a two-bedroom apartment in any of the 50 states. Further, it is only possible for those workers to obtain a one-bedroom rental in a few states. Also, in 86 percent of counties, housing costs eclipse average hourly wages earned by renters, making safe and comfortable housing essentially inaccessible. In some parts of the nation, the report calculated a person who works full-time for minimum wage must have four jobs in order to effectively support a family.Georgia is listed as one of the worst offenders, because the state has fewer affordable rental homes that are targeted toward low-income residents than most other states. Politicians should pay attention to this study, because people in Georgia are struggling.
Source: Housing Finance News, "Housing costs out of reach for millions of workers," March 28, 2012
]]>One woman, from a state adjacent to Georgia, is learning this first-hand. She only noticed that she had had her Social Security number stolen when she didn't receive one of her monthly checks. Someone apparently used her number to change her bank account information so the check would not be deposited in her account.
]]> The 48-year-old woman, who receives disability benefits for hearing loss, speech problems and depression, said she needs her monthly $609 check to make ends meet. Without it, she said she can't pay her bills or rent.She says she contacted her local Social Security office as soon as she realized the money wasn't in her account. The office assumed that she had changed bank accounts herself. Police are investigation the apparent scam.
One law enforcement officer said that a Social Security number is one of the most valuable things that someone can steal, because it provides access to many areas of a person's financial details. And with the Social Security Administration making it easy to change account deposit information, anyone who steals a Social Security number can do it.
Hopefully whoever perpetrated the scam will be caught and prosecuted. In the meantime, though, it is unknown if the woman will receive the money she's entitled to.
Source: WZVN, "Woman scammed out of disability check," April 5, 2012
]]>The inspiring story of one Carrollton, Georgia, man provides a great example of personal tenacity and determination in the face of diabetes and its associated illnesses. The man lost his sight, his fingertips and both legs from the knee down. He was on dialysis because of kidney failure, but he never gave up on completing his life goals. He recently earned a degree in communications, and he looks forward to getting a job and getting off disability payments.
]]> The man recently was fitted with a new generation of prosthetic feet, one of the first double amputees to benefit from this advance. The new feet are a vast improvement over his old prosthetics, the man said, which often caused him to stumble and lose his balance. A crack in the sidewalk could have proved harmful for the man when he was using his old prosthetics, he said.This new generation of prosthetic legs contains a microprocessor in the ankle joint, which allows the legs to adjust to terrain changes. The processors send signals to the carbon feet, which adjusts them based on the surface, preventing the man from falling. His new feet are faster, lighter and more responsive than the others, he says.
New feet have given the man new determination and desire to enjoy life, he says. He goes to the movies now, walks in the grass and climbs hills with more ease. The man says that he has been strong enough to overcome his physical losses so far, and he is excited to see where his new feet -- and positive attitude -- will take him in the future.
Source: 11Alive, "Georgia man standing tall on the newest bionic feet," Jerry Carnes, March 14, 2012.
]]>A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine showed that aggressive care was significantly more expensive than routine or comfort care methods. Aggressive care includes procedures such as intracranial pressure monitoring and decompressive hemicraniectomy, during which a part of the skull is removed to allow the brain to swell. The high costs of these procedures were outweighed by the long-term benefits.
]]> The study is the first to show the long-term financial benefits associated with aggressive care techniques, according to medical professionals. Of the 1,000 patients studied, researchers say that they found that the treatment benefits people of all ages, although younger patients are more likely to see dramatic changes as a result of the procedures. The aggressive methods are said to improve patients' quality of life and reduce the lifetime costs for traumatic brain injury management. In addition, the aggressive treatment simply improves the patients' chances for survival.Despite the proven benefits of aggressive treatment, its application is inconsistent within the medical community. About 1.5 million Americans experience a traumatic brain injury every year, according to estimates, resulting in 200,000 hospitalizations and more than 50,000 deaths. The cost of these injuries accounts for more than $60 billion in medical care and lost wages.
This is good news for those stuck on disability. Remember, the goal is to get eventually get off of it if possible, but it's important that it's there for those who need it.
Source: HealthDay, "Aggressive Care Best for Brain Trauma, Study Shows," HealthDay News, March 9, 2012.
]]>The change, which will take effect on March 1, 2013, will affect more than 73 million payments made each month, which added up to approximately $75 billion in January. Officials believe that moving to electronic payments will save millions of dollars each year, which will benefit other government programs.
]]> The program also makes transferring benefits easier because it is automatic. The initiative was scheduled to begin in 2004, but it was delayed until 2010. Many beneficiaries changed their receipt system as early as 2011, when electronic transfers became widely available. Beneficiaries can receive their payments through a checking account or debit card, according to Treasury officials. About 7 million people still receive their benefits via paper check.The federal government is partnering with community agencies to promote information about the pending switch. More than 1,800 local community organizations are involved in getting the word out about electronic payments, many of them targeting elderly and disabled beneficiaries. Program leaders say they are dedicated to maintaining open lines of communication about the issue, and they want to ensure that every recipient understands the new rule.
Treasury officials say that even if beneficiaries fail to sign up for electronic transfer, they will still receive a debit card to guarantee continuous payments. They urge all recipients to switch to electronic delivery online as soon as possible and not wait until the last minute.
Source: Washington Post, "Countdown begins on feds ending paper benefit," Eric Yoder, March 1, 2012
]]>In mid-October 2010, a man who had tried to take his own life just 18 days before got behind the wheel and caused an accident that took the life of a 31-year-old woman. That man had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and his family had been fighting an uphill battle to keep him medicated.
]]> In 2004, the man went on Social Security disability because of his inability to hold a full-time job due to his mental condition. He also filed for bankruptcy because of student loans and credit card debt he could not repay.Over the span of six years, the man's parents took a harrowing tour of the health care system and discovered that it was not designed to help them or their son. Mental illness hospital stays have been cut by 39 percent, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research.
And medication is difficult as well. The director of the Johns Hopkins University schizophrenia program said doctors are given one week to determine if antipsychotics are having any effect. Some of the drugs may take two weeks to produce results.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, there were 104,617 mental illness-related deaths in 2008. That is a rise from 42,128 deaths 11 years before. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression are three serious mental illnesses that did not see a rise, and accounted for less than 1 percent of all deaths.
However, the chief of mortality statistics at NCHS said that number may not be accurate. When tallying up mortality rates, determining the root cause of death can be tricky. Like in the case above, the cause of death was ruled as injuries from the car accident.
Source: Bloomberg, "Son Who Hears Voices Finds Health Care Fatally Dysfunctional," Tom Moroney, Feb. 28, 2012
]]>Though his health problems are at the forefront of their minds right now, his 52-year-old wife has not weathered the years unscathed, either. A couple of strokes two years ago left her legally blind. Regardless, she is with him every step of the way, for worse or for better. But a crucial delay in approving the woman's Social Security Disability benefits is preventing the couple from being able to make ends meet.
]]> As a married couple, the pair receives $170 each month in food stamps. He receives $698 in Social Security each month and she supplements their income with a part-time job.After a recent visit from a social worker, their living conditions were described as "squalor," and the management and the couple is being forced to vacate the apartment. The property manager says that the couple needs to go to an assisted living facility.
Finding a new place to live will not be so easy. The man needs nine months of nursing care following his release from the hospital, but his wife will likely not be able to stay with him.
In the meantime, the woman is waiting on her appeal for disability benefits. Her appeal hearing is not scheduled until October. This is another tragic example of a broken government agency that needs to do more to try and help the country's neediest citizens.
Source: Des Moines Register, "Reader's Watchdog: Poverty-stricken disabled couple in housing crisis," Lee Rood, Feb. 18, 2012
]]>When disability benefits began, it was as a supplement to Social Security, which covered retired workers. Physically disabling accidents and severe health problems such as heart disease and cancer were the most common reason workers had to quit working before retirement and begin receiving SSDI. Now, mental disorders such as depression and PTSD and physical disorders such as back pain and joint stress are the top complaints that applicants for SSDI are citing. Those two categories alone increased from 28 percent of awards in 1981 to 54 percent in 2009.
]]> In the 2000s, applications for SSDI increased 123 percent to 2.9 million. Some researchers argue that workers use SSDI as a form of long-term unemployment insurance when their short-term unemployment benefits runs out. Though some may see that as an abuse of the system, those people are not living extravagantly. The average recipient gets approximately $14,000 a year.Looking at the facts, one solution to this problem could be to raise the standards of the application process and encourage workers whose health issues are not overly severe to go back to work. The Americans with Disabilities Act was created to do just that. However, doing so would create such a public relations disaster that no one is willing to take up that cause. When President Reagan tried to tighten eligibility standards, the backlash was so severe that Congress actually relaxed the rules even more.
But workers who are injured should not feel bad about applying for the benefits. They exist for a reason, and as previously stated, the benefits do not allow a recipient to live high on the hog. It is a small payment to allow someone to keep a roof over his or head, put food on the table and keep bills paid.
Source: The Washington Post, "Budget quagmire revealed by Social Security disability program," Robert J. Samuelson, Feb. 12, 2012
]]>The woman has bipolar disorder, seizures and high blood pressure. Her husband suffers from severe bipolar disorder. Both receive forms of Social Security benefits, and both have experienced serious cuts to their benefits because of their marriage. Even though the couple lives in another state, the lessons apply to Social Security disability beneficiaries in Georgia, because it is a federal program.
]]> Both individuals were dependent on the financial aid provided by food stamps and Social Security disability checks. Before the wedding, the woman was receiving $674 each month from Supplemental Security Income. When their households legally combined, she was informed that her checks would be reduced almost 50 percent to $369.Her husband gets $698 each month from Social Security disability insurance. A spokesman with the Social Security Administration said that while the husband's benefits will not change because they are based on how much he paid in to the system when he was working, the wife's SSI is need-based. The husband's income is a factor in how much she receives each month.
Their amount of food stamp allowance was also reduced almost 50 percent. Separately, they each received $200 monthly in food stamps. Now they share $275 a month in food stamps.
Before they were married, the couple asked if their benefits would change. They were assured that the change would be minimal. If they had known the real extent of the cuts, they probably would not have gotten married.
Source: Coeur d'Alene Press, "The cost of marriage," Alecia Warren, Feb. 6, 2012
]]>Similarly, the number of Americans whose mental illness is so severe that they meet the level of physical or mental disability required to receive Supplemental Security Income or Social Security disability benefits has increased nearly two and a half times from 1987 to 2007. That means that in 1987, one in 184 Americans qualified for government assistance because of a mental disorder. As of 2007, that number had increased to one in 76. That increase has had an even greater effect on the number of children with a mental illness.
]]> The National Institute for Mental Health conducted a similar survey about a decade ago and found that almost half of all Americans had met the criteria for mental illness at some point in their lives. Unlike ailments that physically manifest and are easily diagnosed and treated, such as the flu, mental illness exists on a spectrum, ranging in severity. Approximately 26.5 million adults were given prescription drugs for their mental health in 2010, and it must be questioned whether it was for mild nervousness or debilitating depression.The "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," a common text for those in the mental health profession, could be taking steps to curb what could be needless diagnoses. The American Psychiatric Association is preparing the newest version, but half of the "personality disorders" present in the current edition are being cut.
But that debate is best left to the medical community. What people who suffer from mental illness should worry about is whether or not they qualify for Social Security disability.
Source: The Columbus Dispatch, "Normal life too often is medicalized," Daniel Akst, Jan. 26, 2012
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