As we have been reporting in our blog since last year, there have been many mischaracterizations about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in the news, as elections are beginning to heat up nationally and debates over funding remain persistent.
With this in mind, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) executive director Barbara Silverstone wrote a letter to The Hill defending the program against attacks and misconceptions.
The piece, titled “SSDI: The truth behind media and political mischaracterizations” discusses the program’s vital role in supporting countless Americans. Remember, many of the attacks on the program are about recipient eligibility, and whether or not there are people “scamming” the system.
“People with disabilities turn to the program as a last resort, often having attempted to continue working after it is no longer healthy to do so and having spent down their savings before applying. There is no evidence that people are leaving the labor force to receive SSDI,” Silverstone wrote. “While it is true that SSDI applications increased during the recent economic downturn, approval rates also declined. In fact, the current approval rate is the lowest it has been in 40 years.”
As we have mentioned in previous blogs, only about 40 percent of applicants are approved for benefits. To qualify for SSDI, you must show complete disability.
In addressing issues involving fraud, Silverstone points out that “Congress has not uncovered any evidence of fraud in the SSDI program beyond the cases SSA itself uncovered, after several years of investigation. Nor has Congress found any evidence that people who should not be eligible are wrongly approved.”
Silverstone’s letter can be read by clicking on the source link at the bottom of this page.
Is It Easy to Get Disability?
SSDI benefits are not easily obtainable, so the notion that people are simply gaming the system to avoid working is untrue. To qualify for benefits, you must have earned work credits and show that your disability makes it impossible to perform labor.
In addition to a vigorous application, SSDI recipients are also expected to have a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) done approximately every three years in many cases, meaning proving their disability will continue to trouble them.
For further information on qualifications, contact us today. We can review your case and help you seek out benefits.
On Wednesday, we will further discuss the mischaracterization that disability benefits are easy to obtain.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security Disability lawyers
Troutman Touts: The Social Security Administration has lost more than 11,000 employees since 2011.