I keep hearing in the news about all the fraud perpetrated in government benefits of all kinds, from food stamps, to free cell phones, to now include disability. I will concede there may be a few people that have received benefits fraudulently under disability but it is so hard to believe that this particular system can be scammed by anyone with the rigors that applicants must go through in order to "prove" their disability.

After reading about so many denied cases, it is amazing ANYONE ever gets approved. I have read some Federal court cases and find it difficult to believe that some of these people are still denied benefits with their ailments and limitations.

I just find it very hard to understand how the disability system could be scammed with their very tough regulations. It appears to me that there are many deserving people that are denied. I just do not understand the claims of abuse that I am hearing about in the news.

Some judges are too lenient, some are too strict.

Many illnesses are difficult to prove or disprove.

People get better and choose not to report it. Some choose to do things like work under the table.

you also have to take into account the political agenda of the people or organizations reporting that news, how much of that news is slanted or manufactured, and what they are trying to accomplish.

Dear friend

Belive it
I was approved SSD
However I was wildly
prepaired with all
doctors I have been to
screw poker face doctors
A lie is a lie
The truth is the truth
I stand in the truth
My those who act as
God is in control
Amen!

Someone who cares

I have a friend in Missouri, who turned in his lazy relative. Claimed to be disabled in that state and got away with it. He is healthy enough to drink beer all day and sit on the couch. My friend never understood why he got the disability to begin with. I see many people being denied, when they truly need the help. I don't know how people scam the system, but it does happen. Wish the programs were fair to all, easier for those than need the help yesterday....
ginnie

It's not anyone's business why a person is receiving SSI or SSDI--including a person's relatives. Are there people that are receiving benefits that shouldn't? Yes. But, it's a slippery slope when you start relating these type of third party stories. How would you feel if a friend of one of your relatives was posting online about you? Or if a neighbor or acquaintance was talking about you locally? Questioning how you spend your time and if you're really disabled?

Watching tv and drinking beer is not illegal, btw.

No names were used. Just the name of a State. It wasn't up to me. I just made an observance of what occured to someone I know. This was meant to reflect that sometimes not fair things happen in the system we currently have. ginnie

It's all too common that the public makes these type of judgements about those on disability. I'm just surprised that as a disabled person you're not more empathetic and are perpetuating this kind of stereotype. What if he has a mental illness his relative knows nothing about? What you call "lazy" might be exhaustion from his disability.

Are there examples of those that are committing fraud and should have benefits taken away? Yes. Working under the table is one.

And perhaps he had gotten better and it was appropriate to have his benefits taken away. But, maybe not. Even studying someone's medical records doesn't make it an easy thing to determine.

I have been talked about by friends and relatives my entire life. Why? Because my issues are not ALWAYS seen. They come and go like the wind at times.

If I was judged by the ssa only on one of my good days I would lose my benefits in a split second.

On the other hand since I go to a doctor/therapist on a regular basis they have a chance to see me on my good days (I love those days), my not so great days (can live with them but its tough) and my very bad days (would not wish these days on my worst enemy).

We disabled people seem to do one thing alike and that is on our VERY BAD DAYS...........we usually stay to ourselves were nobody sees us.

On the other hand, on our good days (far and few between at times) we sometimes like to get out (after all we are disabled not prisoners) and enjoy what life we can. Whether it be walking around the block in our neighborhood, at the park or even take a day trip to a nearby city to shop or something.

For some reason most people think that if a person is disabled they should just curl up, give up and wait to die.

Well, not me. Even at the risk of losing my benefits I WILL enjoy life when I can. After all we only get one life to live no matter what issues we have.

I for one HATE the stamp we disabled are given in society in general.

We are still human beings that have feelings and desires even if those feelings and desires are altered most of the time.

Rake

Actually the one that came to that conclusion is a psychologist. I trust. his judgement. I also know that if it were someone in my family, I would not let that go. According to the medicare laws, fraud is to be reported. It may be a doctor, or any other kind of individual. Nobody should take advantage of a system already in a bit of trouble. Medicare is for those truly in need. medicaid too. I appreciate our differences. ginnie