CBS News Special Report on Social Security Disability Claim Backlog
Last night the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric unveiled the first of two special reports on the Social Security Disability claim backlog. My friend and fellow Social Security Disability lawyer, John Hogan, was interviewed and spoke of the 2 1/2 year wait for a hearing in the Atlanta area! When you see the disabled claimant's profiled in this report, you will realize how cruel and unacceptable such waits are.
I suppose that we should be thankful that the hearing wait in the New York metropolitan region is only 18 months!??? But it is hard to feel this way when you see clients losing their homes while they wait for the disability benefits they paid for and deserve. Sadly, some of my clients have died before they get their hearings. Hopefully, Congress will listen to this report and fund Social Security properly so that future claims can be expedited. Catch Part 2 of the CBS special report tonight at 6:30 pm EST by clicking here. Thanks for your concern, Katie!
I am one of the disabled that are caught in this problem too. No one seems to care that I may lose my home and my life before they bother to get around to me- in fact, I think that is what they are waiting for. They drag their heels and dont respond to messages left for them or anything. THank you for showing how hard it is.
I was injured in hurricane Charlie that's 2003! and am still waiting. I cannot afford the surgery I need in hopes that I might be able to join the work force again until I get my social security. I have been in constant pain for almost 4 years.
dear sirs
i was born with a dislocated hip and use to be in a body cast for over two years when i was a child i also have a severe hearing problem, i have been trying my best to get my disabuilty back, because they took it away from me in 2005 i signed back up on it in 2006. i went to see the judge today. but he discriminated agaainst me and my mother very bad. why would he do such a thing he lashed out at my disabled mother and said she could be working. but she cant work, and i sure cant work with my hip. i would really like to know what is wrong wih the dissabuilty system some people around here can get a ssi check on their nerves or drug addicts get it and even some alcholicsbut why cant i get my ssi back, and there are hundreds of others out there just like me waiting.
I, too have applied for Social Security, the 1st time I was denied. This time ,I have a lawyer, hopefully he will get it for me. I have contributed to this system since I was 14 years old. Now, I need help and I been waiting over a year now. I'm 46 years old, and have worked for 31 years, contributing to Social Security (FICA). I think this is highly unfair how USA citizens are treated.
Katie thanks for your help and special. However we need to keep this story in front of the Americans and especially while everyone is promising issues and yet not one has addressed
THIS in their SPEECHES. But still want health care for all.
Per Mr. Astrue comm. of Social Security Commissioner has come before President asking more money vetoed. President calling it PROFLIGATE, (spending money carelessly) Cbs, New York Times, dallasnews, Cbs reports. (All this as backup)
Americans die, 16,000 have died (4 times than Iraq War) , 1.4 Million pending cases, of those 154,841 are veterans. Everyone wants to bypass this cost but it costing Americans their life and their children lives are so forever changed at the fate of our government.
Give those medical coverage when deemed disabled, now once deemed disabled 2 year wait.
Appoint local judges in local areas.
We can't wait on judges who blames the doctors
slow records. Local judges can have med evidenced faxed/driven across town, local judges or local social security personnel added, cheaper that paying tax dollars to send the present 1025 JUDGES expenses on travel to hear the cases knocking at the 3 year Government dead line to be heard cases. lawyers are getting at least $2500 to $5400 dollars Why not put that percentage back into the fund and keep the money so deserved into the help of the next one in line. why do we need lawyers, talking about boosting our economy get approx. 750,000 pending cases revenue INTO OUR POCKETS AND WE WILL SPEND IT ON BILLS, MEDS, AND AIDES, CLOTHING NEEDED REALLY SOON)(president Bush wants to take care of our veterans, he forgot some. the 154,000 +/- and John McCain is honored of his prolonged stay with his fellow Americans, he needs to stay with 154,000 more, Neither party will address this I guess they dont' need votes?
Katie you WATCHED health decline that of a loved one, Our American children are experiencing this day after day for sometimes no reason, .. Imagine not having the resources you had when you went through your personal situation of a sick loved one.
Children are becoming homeless, but watching a loved one die, losing a mother or father, because of a backlog while we sent foreign aide. (Where I live some don't have cars or gas to drive to a hearing 35 miles away or 60 to the capital. etc. Medicaid is getting funding to help some but if over $1200 /mth like Medicare receipents draw over that amount not Medicaid card have to get $ taken out of their check (if you don't choose they will choose for you) $1200.00 with cost of living and gas what is left nothing. My hometown a young disabled hearing was at 2yr. 11mths. Her hearing was Monday, Feb 4, 2008, 35 miles away, had to have a driver, now she is awaiting an answer, and then off to 2 years until medical coverage is available.She can't function alone.
President Bush, Congress, Supreme Court, DON"T PAY SOCIAL SECURITY AT ALL.
we pay at 6/2% out of paycheck and employers match that at 6.2% equal 12.4%
Can't do the math no salary amount, but I can bet at 6.2% alone and government match 6.2% of their salaries would put thousands into the Social Security Funds, we are in trouble WHY?
They borrowed from the funds and yet they don't pay into , What is Fraud, that is what why the government are afraid to turn decisions over to local emergency officials. Some higher officials don't pay and continue to get their same pay until death and with a cost of living raise.
American working people pay, at that percent we could help this fund if only the government allows to budget what they took that was not theirs to take. Would any member of congress wait this long for a paycheck, The government should have to pay 12.4% for an approx. 4 years it takes the disabled, veterans, wifes of veterans, Americans and Children.
You and your Cbs will not allow this to go unntoiced. The government gave 150 judges that is like giving New York City , 10 Policeman to fight crime.
Please help those who can't help themselves.
At present it has been reported Congress,org
jan 24, 2008 Thomas Reynolds R_NY 26th. emailed Pres.Bush, Charles Schumer, Sen. Clinton.
I join this effort due to the fact that my wife has had four brain surgeries over a period of three and a half years. She is a great R.N. that no longer can work.
She has had the advice of doctors in three states and four cities. They all say she can never swork again. We live in Columbus, Ohio and I have taken my wife to Cleveland Clinic; top brain surgeon in Long Island, New York and got the opinion of doctors in Los Angeles.. This also includes Riverside Hopital in Columbus.
My wife has been turned down and we have been begging for a hearing for more than three years. Our home is now in foreclosure and we have three children in college.
This administration has turned down a good American that has put into the system to help keep America strong, now its turned its back on my wife and family, in the time of need.
Thank you