War on the Disabled

War on the Disabled

The recent headline read: “Trump administration proposes Social Security rule changes that could cut off thousands of disabled recipients.” It could have read “War threatened on the Disabled to pay for Tax Cuts for the Wealthy.” I mean, The Administration has to do something to pay for those tax cuts to the extremely wealthy that were passed a while back, and honestly I think that is the crux of these proposed actions against the disabled (a/k/a “the least of these*”). I say this because fraud is not a real issue when it comes to Social Security Disability benefits.

In 2013, Michael J. Astrue (the former Social Security Administration Commissioner-a Bush appointee) stated that less than 1% of the Social Security Disability funds paid out were paid out on fraudulent claims. The fact is that fraud is not a problem; the Social Security Administration does a pretty good job at dispensing with meritless claims.
That does not mean that fraud showed be allowed; it should be routed out and those illegally claiming disability benefits should be prosecuted.

What these figures show is that the mindset of many Americans and our political leaders is flat out wrong. I have had many clients seeking disability benefits bemoan the vast number of liars and cheats collecting disability, while their legitimate claim was taking months and months to prosecute. This is just human nature; it is easy to point the finger at others and claim that their claim is illegitimate, but mine is real.

A large part of the problem is that we cannot walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. We see someone in the grocery store who is drawing disability benefits and say “Ha-they’re not really disabled.” Really? Do you know how long it has been since they were able to get out? What pain and discomfort they are dealing with on a daily basis?

Someone with a disabling mental problem may seem fine one day, but the next they could be paralyzed by fear and anxiety. Someone suffering with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia does not have a video screen strung around their neck showing you the torment they may be experiencing in silence.

According to the Social Security Administration, the average 20-year-old worker has a greater than one-in-four chance of being disabled by sickness or an injury before age 67. Does this change your opinion?

People do not choose their genes, and they generally do not try to severely injure themselves in order to collect an average of $1,200 a month in disability benefits. Suffering with a disability and being unable to work is not illegal, and we should stop making those who suffer feel as though they are criminals, and stop what looks like a brewing War on the Disabled.

If you believe that you are disabled and you have questions about your right to Social Security Disability benefits, don’t hesitate don’t hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced Alabama Disability Injury Lawyers at Powell and Denny.

Powell and Denny: We Work When You Can’t

Offices in Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AL

*see Matthew 25:40

Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 6 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry.

Mr. Denny is AV rated by Martindale Hubbard (the highest rating possible) and Mr. Powell has been rated as Superior by The National Registry

Alabama Disability Attorneys
Birmingham Social Security Disability Attorneys
Huntsville Social Security Disability Attorneys

War on the Disabled