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Investigating disability claims

October 6, 2013 4:30 PM

Randy Frye and Marilyn Zahm are the president and vice president of the Association of Administrative Law Judges. Steve Kroft asks the judges if there's a way to determine whether the lawyer or claimant in a disability case is withholding information or lying.

Disability, USA

60 Minutes OverTimeWhat happens when the U.S. disability fund runs dry?

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by tamsisdabomb October 8, 2013 3:35 PM EDT
As a person who has been receiving SSDI benefits for about 1 year now. I am curious to know how much I have actually paid into the system. I have no problem drawing out what I have put in because I need it. But beyond that amount make no mistake it IS welfare. Is there way to find out exactly how much you as an individual taxpayer has paid into the system?
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by 863048 October 7, 2013 9:05 PM EDT
This was such a terrific story and so true. Kudos to the Senator for bringing to the open this utterly disgusting and very real issue. Yes, the system (Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income) is broken. Anyone on the inside (i.e. anyone who works for Social Security) can tell you this. Anyone has the right to file but it's the government's task to prove an applicant is not disabled. If the gov't can't prove the person isn't disabled, then it's an allowance. This story could have been much longer and in reality it only scratched the surface at how bad this issue really is. The problems with the disability system run far deeper than scammer lawyers. Why does the Social Security Administration withhold and pay attorney fees directly to these so-called attorney's? This system is so broken.
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by lwinkelm October 7, 2013 8:45 PM EDT
For those of you who have never had to do so, dealing with the Social Security Disability Determination bureau is a nightmare. They are supposed to make a decision within 90 days and it stretches out in some cases for years. This would never be allowed in the private sector employment. If they are concerned about saving money, I suggest they start with the file shuffle that they do in that bureau. I would love to be contacted for a story on this.
My daughter was a 24 year old severe diabetic with neuopathy in her legs, and was later diagnosed with neuopathy in her stomach as well. Most employers would not let her take a break, as she needed to do. Her health continued to deteriorate. She applied for disability and was turned down. She appealed and the administrative law judge said " She was too young to be disabled" and denied her claim. She had to be hospitalized within the year and we had to place her in a nursing home as she needed tube feedings. So if you think these judges are certainly fair and have the medical background to decide these cases, I pray you never have a loved one that needs assistance. My daughter passed away at age 24.
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by durangod October 7, 2013 4:05 AM EDT
And so those of us that really need this (such as myself) have to go without. If it was not for my parents i would be homeless as i cannot work. It was said during my hearing by the vocational expert that in fact there are no jobs that i can perform due to my permanent condition. But yet the judge is allowed to disagree with the vocational expertand medical evidence, and make decisions not based on fact but based on personal opinions. So i have to suffer because of some political pressure to cut the budget. If that is the case then give me all my money back that i put into the system all those years, it is my money if anyone has forgotten that fact. The truth of the matter is (for anyone that does not know) the law judge can deny your request for any reason they see fit, with or without evidence, the law gives them a wide lane and so if they need to deny you in order to meet some denial percentage requirement they can do so regardless of the evidence. All of those people that got disability and are not disabled should be required to pay back the system.
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by ssdc9 October 6, 2013 11:22 PM EDT
I would ask that Steve Kroft and 60 Minutes do a follow up story on what is really going on in this country regarding Social Security Disability Benefits. In fact I was the source behind a CBS News investigation that was done in 2008 on this topic and it is totally opposite of what you just saw on 60 Minutes. I would be happy to share what I know with 60 Minutes and it's viewers. In the meantime you can learn more at:

CBS Evening News With Katie Couric - Disabled And Waiting - 1/14/08 - "A two-month CBS News investigation has found that over the last two years, at least 16,000 people fighting for disability benefits died while awaiting a decision."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/14/cbsnews_investigates/main3712627.shtml

Seems like those 16,000 people who are no longer with us should have been deemed disabled to me...

You Tube Video - American Nightmare - It Can Happen To You!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZTnjwy7U14

Ask your elected officials to introduce/support - Fullerton - Edwards Social Security Disability Reform Act:
https://sites.google.com/site/ssdcoalition/fullerton-edwards-social-security-disability-reform-act

Believe me when I tell you that things are much worse today and I shudder to think how many more people have died since that CBS News report was done. Yes there are many problems that need to be fixed with the system from top to bottom. I truly hope 60 Minutes will continue to show ALL sides of this issue so they can be fixed once and for all so nobody else suffers or dies. They can start by interviewing me! Remember that disease, accidents and tragedy do not discrimintate on the basis of age, race, sex or wealth so if you think this could not happen to you - you could be dead wrong!
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by fielddmaiden October 6, 2013 10:37 PM EDT
Let's see if the news is ready to do a complete report???Disabled as a child going thru windshield,raised to be TOO? proud(self sufficent)muddled thru school with extra credits,worked three jobs most of my life-told 3 months to live at 21(cancer)illegal care/drugs in Mexico-eyes and lungs burned in chemical exsplosion 1984-refused 90% disability so my child would not be raised on the dole-got a job at restaurant where I knew the menu by heart though other waitresses made fun of the way I had to study things 1 inch from my face.Unable to drive,riding by bike to Walmart,hit left for dead-Hollywood police refused to call an ambulance(that's the way they keep crime statistics down)later I started passing out on streets with severe naushua.It was a kindly bus driver who eventually called for help and I spent 10 days in hosp.being studied for brain defect.Thats 3 more days than walmart allows/yr. even though I had more time from previous years unused"we don't do that"spent 3 years SURVIVING on the mean streets of Hollywood Fl.-don't let that spin about c.house fool u-it's a modern day bed bug plantation women beat charged 2usestairs.Having schizophrenia,OCD.brain trama(my brain waves slow down and stop in bright lights or high temperatures)as well as disasociative fear from childhood repeated(and documented)physical,emotional abuse I can not go to shelters or anywhere there are large crowds or loud noises.It took the state 5 years-3 after a legal aide lawyer hear about me from another homeless person for the state of florida to STOP LOSING my documentation and then telling me they would not pay for another test of the same kind. was run thru every state program that wanted money and knew how to make sure I always came up too short for any disability.After 5 years I was warded 13,000$ which they said would be payed in 2,000$ installements.however,because I was cming up on age 62,and the work for ticket program had played with me for a year1/2,they rescinded their offer to send me to school because they said I was NOW too old!!I had managed to get the faftsa grant and all they had to pay for was 1 month and books.they claimed because the school had lengthened the program from 9 months to a year and a half they wouldn't pay-so faftsa fell thru.w/o degree,I have won 3graphic art awards, in several museums,foundations and private collections as well as many publications,mostly art some writing.the state of fl. gave me disability,but said because I had looked to early retirement_I actually made a tape of my "squat location/life" that 700$ a month was all I needed to survive.Walmart worked me opposite hours 13 days in a row for almost 3 yr,I was constantly sick,malnurshed(keeping my 700$/month rat hole roof).Maybe more people are going on disability because we are being worked to death as well as being poisioned by Monsanto and chemtrails.when I had complaints about illegal work conditions,no breaks etc. the st. came in and talked to the store mngr.and I got 13 hour work weeks.corp.s ar killingthe people and the laws are not being enforced that are supposed to protect us?So don't worry about me...althougt I'm recognized disabled I get $o.oo dollars/month.I dare any of those scum bags in Washington to survive on 600$(Obama care takes 100$/month)and 16$month in food stamps.saw someone complaining on face bk how food stamps let us enjoy steak while they have to eat hamburger.Could y please tell me where can I buy some of that RAT STEAK?sincerly-worked since I was 14 e.e.causey-h3owar.blogspot
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by reells October 6, 2013 10:27 PM EDT
I am a podiatrist. Occasionally I receive a request for a written evaluation of a person applying for disability. Copies of my medical notes are requested as well as my opinion as to whether (from a podiatrist's viewpoint)the person applying can be expected to be able to walk, stand, stoop,climb,crawl,etc. In other words, can the person's lower extremities handle being on some kind of a job that involves being on your feet? In almost every case obesity is a complicating and aggravating factor, and I point this out in my report. I am very reluctant to recommend disability status when I have high confidence that achieving a normal weight would solve most of the physical problems. The obesity aspect of "disability" would make for a very interesting and timely sequel for this story on 60 Minutes.
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by jd38480 October 6, 2013 9:59 PM EDT
Sen.Corbin, a millionaire who has fought for big oil, big pharma,and agriculture is your typical republican. All the evils of our government are caused by the poor and disenfranchised. He has consistently gone after the social programs that help the less fortunate in our society with suspect stories, like the one he mentioned in the interview about a tree trimmer with a broken ankle. You can not get disability with a broken ankle. He should be putting his energy in the investigation of corporate welfare, banking fraud, and the incredible waste and fraud in the military/industrial cartels. Any of our so called elected officials screaming about someone gaming the system are the pot calling the kettle black.
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by Bill Murphy October 6, 2013 9:46 PM EDT
My wife has cystic fibrosis and went on disability when her lung capacity had deteriorated to the point she could barely walk. 6 years later she had a lung transplant and recovered so well she decided to return to work and go off disability. The SS office had apparently no experience with this and first persuaded her to go a year before going off. Finally they "took care" of it. A few years later when reaching 63 she retired and applied for SS. It could not be processed for months until they found the problem. In order to stop her disability she had been "deceased" in her record. Welfare under social workers was a much better system because social workers can control the process. SSA simply issues checks period.
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by pender63 October 6, 2013 9:12 PM EDT
Greeting
I have been approved for Federal disability program. I chose not too hire a attorney because of some of the reason mention in the interview. I'm worked for over 45 years continually. Many of my jobs were not the best pay or benefits. I paid into social security and disability. In 2008 I was seriously injury at work by no fought of my own. I had surgery to my left arm and elbow. I has a brain concussion which until my insurance ended required injection too my head for severe headaches. It is a shame for people to sham the system of disability. Because of those people and their attorneys who may or may not deserve to receive SDI/FDI the disability program is in trouble. The program is in trouble that means that I along with millions of other people who truly may have a legit disability will have to goes without a paycheck. I know my wages alone is not enough too pay me a check for the remainder of my life but the disability pool should have enough funding to keep those who have been approved for disability with a check. The disability crisis is not going to run dry because of two reason: One the government US are already broke. 2. America politican have made should that we would be broke. The question now is How too fix the wagon instead of fueling the fire to burn the wagon or destroy the American people confident that we need to cut funding too people with disabilities. Relax take a deep breath and first stop funding terrorism, racism, bigotry, separatism and, killing the American dreams with personal attacks on the poor and disenfranchised. One solution is too remove the debt crisis on American with credit rating. If 100 million people debts was forgiven what would that do for the ecomony? I need my check for my disability I have been waiting for 3 years no job living off my saving and 401k which is running out. I was very please to get approved for my disability. My personal feeling is I have paid taxes just as the law requires me too do. I worked and paid into the retirement system never have I ask for a hand out. I feel it is not shame to ask for help. It is a sign of strength to ask for help just the opposition of what some people may think about people who are on disability. NO ONE WANT TOO BE DISABLE PLEASE BELIEVE ME. Im at the edge of full retirement years 63 year old with a disability. My social security should be there for me and every person who have earn enough too have put into the pool to draw money from that pool of water... Not Yet will the well go dry... Lets fix the system and keep those who are fraud the system out attorneys and their clients.
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