WH Budget Chief: " I Hope Fewer People Get Social Security Disability Insurance"

[Stuart G]

Source: Talking Points Memo:

By Matt Shuham, Published May 23, 2017:12:55 pm

White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said Tuesday that he hoped fewer people received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as a result of President Donald Trumps 2018 budget proposal, suggesting that some SSDI recipients were not really disabled.

He said the proposal was the definition of compassionate: a compassion that is balanced between the people who get the benefits and the people who pay them.

Trumps budget proposal, though widely disregarded by congressional appropriators, would cut $31.4 billion from SSDI over 10 years, according to the Washington Post.

I recognize that hes going to be saving Social Security Retirement, but hes not saving Social Security Disability Insurance, which benefits more than 10 million Americans, NBCs Peter Alexander told Mulvaney in a press briefing Tuesday, pointing to Trumps repeated campaign promises not to cut Social Security. So is the President keeping his promise on that program


Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mick-mulvaney-i-hope-fewer-people-social-security-disability-insurance

---

This is one of the most insensitive things ever said about disabled. Clearly this asshole has never had to get disability. I know a number of people who have had to and it is very difficult to get. This is.....has been...and always will be the republican position on the poor, disabled, and those unable to work.

The people who pay them." .........secret language for... the rich...Asshole is saying "we rich should pay less to the poor and disabled....Also....implying that there is ..cheating going on......

He defines the republicans, now and forever.
.

[kimbutgar]

1. A lot of chump supporters receive ssi disabilty

I wonder if they will hear about this?

[Stuart G]

2. I don't think so. Will "Fox News" report it?,,,?

Last edited Tue May 23, 2017, 07:54 PM - Edit history (1)

[The Mouth]

3. They'll just parrot "It would be worse under Hillary"

which seems to be the main response to an indignity or injury cheeto benito foists on them.

[Stuart G]

4. Welcome to Democratic Underground...!!

[The Mouth]

9. Thank you

[calimary]

7. Welcome to DU, The Mouth!

Like that "cheeto benito" name for trump! You could make "Cheeto Bandito" out of that too!

Btw - I collected a bunch of 'em in another thread:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9103756

Enjoy!

[The Mouth]

11. Thank you

[egold2604]

64. Exactly what a Trump supporter friend of mine said last week

[niyad]

84. welcome to du

[The Mouth]

129. Thanks!

[leetexy]

14. hi

im john

[progressoid]

39. Hi John,

welcome to DU!

[niyad]

82. welcome to du

[calimary]

89. Welcome to DU, to you too, leetexy!

Hi John!

I'm just continually amazed at the hard-heartedness of the other side. Just really can't believe it.

Don't know if this guy Mick Mulvaney is a Catholic or a believer in the more broad category of Christianity. But MAN he does NOT know Matthew 25: 35-45. That's the passage in the New Testament (NOT where you'd find moldy oldies like the book of Leviticus) that elaborates on the theme of "whatever you do to the least of these, you do to Me."

[The Mouth]

141. Welcome

[FakeNoose]

25. Trump campaigned in this

I clearly remember that he said he would end SSI disability, because it's the new welfare. Everybody in the audience cheered even though (by my guess) several were collecting disability themselves.

I was horrified because this would be a disaster for my 3 sisters who are currently collecting disability. They can't work because of congenital problems.

It's a basic tenet of the one-per-centers (conservatives) - disability is the new welfare and they want it to end, just like Obamacare.

The new French Revolution is about to begin. Time to polish up the guillotines.

[dajoki]

138. SSI & SSDI

are two different things and he wants to do away with both of them. I worked for over 30 years and after an accident I am now on SSDI. I paid in enough to qualify, but it still wasn't easy, took a long time. SSI is for people who do not have enough earnings to get SSDI, my mother-in-law is on it. It would be disastrous if they cut even a little of either. it is poverty level already.

[FakeNoose]

147. Trump said he was doing away with SSDI disability payments

I heard him say it during his campaign, it must have been in late summer or early fall last year. I can't be sure when it was, but I knew immediately we would have big problems if this guy is ever elected. Not many people were paying attention unfortunately - especially not people who depend on the disability benefits.

It's going to be a disaster for my family, because 3 of my sisters are collecting SSDI, as I stated earlier. They're not able to work and they're too young to collect retirement benefits (regular social security.)

I sure hope somebody figures out how to stop Trump, or prove once and for all that he's incompetent.

[elmac]

28. Yes the do

and they will be go to their death bed still loving the orange monster. Just no cure for stupid.

[liberal N proud]

5. He is a sadistic asshole

[WinkyDink]

37. YES! With a visage like a kindly uncle, complete with reading glasses.

[Marthe48]

6. Many people know someone

getting disability who doesn't deserve it. They don't know the whole story, what the disability is, watch their neighbor to see if he does something a disabled person shouldn't be doing. 'If he's really disabled, how can he work on his car? Blah, Blah, blah.'
Anyway, the people who know people repeat their accusations, and the accusations get repeated. We end up with another division, another feeding ourselves to the wolves.

[maxsolomon]

10. THIS

Nothing, no other thing is resented more by the White Working Class than the "shiftless freeloaders" on Disability.

I actually do know a shiftless freeloader on disability. He's probably about 57, significantly overweight, probably has a record. He collects a check, but also does handyman work around the county, drives a truck, plays bluegrass, smokes a little dope, etc.

I'd love to know what people want him to do, and what wage they think he's worth. It ain't driving a Garbage Truck. I wouldn't hire him to operate heavy machinery.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

33. Work the harvest in places where

they're not going to have enough labor to do so, now that they're deporting a lot of former agricultural workers.

On the up side, he'd lose weight.

[Doreen]

60. I have people who glare at me and treat me badly if they find out that

I receive SSDI or got dirty looks for having a service dog. You see, I do not look like I have a disability and you can not tell that I have one just talking to me for a couple of minutes. I am overweight but that kind of happens when the only food you can most of the time afford is processed food. Up until a year ago I kept trying to work as much as I could but still not lose my SSDI. I worked partialy because I do like working and also since I do not look disabled I am accused of being a free loader. I worked for many years while on SSDI but I made my disability worse and finally I could not handle it at all. I drive an Xb, listen to every type of music out there, and I did use cannabis before my knee replacements because besides morphine it was the only thing that helped the excruciating pain that I was in a lot of the time and if I had not gotten my knee replacements I would still be using it and more than likely on my way to being bed ridden. I did custodial work, dog grooming and house cleaning. Except for the custodial work I got paid minimum wage.

Now, let me explain what my disability involves. I was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, ADHD, learning disability, dyslexia, and epilepsy. Then when I was 20 I got hit head on by a pinto station wagon while on a scooter with no helmet. As far as my head is concerned I got hit in the frontal cortex of my brain which along with a cracked skull that had to have a hole in it to let off the pressure made the problems I already have worse and added a few more like low stress tolerance and anger issues. I broke both arms, my collar bone, I cracked my face, I broke both legs but one was in many many pieces. I now have arthritis in my whole body and because of trying to work I have years of re-injuring my injuries.

Until you have talked to this guy about why he is on disability do not be quick to judge. Yes, there are people who abuse the system and if you get to know them you can see if they are frauds or not but you can not tell by what you just happen to see.

[CountAllVotes]

102. So true

I'm in this same boat. Being I am not in a wheelchair drooling I guess it means I am not disabled.

Everything I do causes PAIN, intractable chronic pain.

I have lesions in my spine and the only way they can be seen is via an MRI scan of the spine.

I've gotten to the point that I do not care what others think.

Let them try to walk a mile in our shoes and they'll learn real fast!

Please do not feel guilty! It is not your fault!

I wish you the very best and don't be so hard on yourself!

[Doreen]

104. I can make people jaws drop when I ask them how they would

fair if they got hit head on by a Pinto station wagon while on a moped without a helmet. It does give me pleasure when I see the expression on their face. I work on it but living in a very red county it is hard.

[CountAllVotes]

112. Attitude adjustment

I am always amazed when one of these deniers out there has something go amiss with them!

Someone I know cut off the end of a finger and applied for SSDI because they "would never be the same again". They were denied. Period.

Avoid these losers, that is my advice to you. You've already had to prove your case! To hell with them! What the hell do they know? NOTHING. It really is NONE OF THEIR FUCKING BUSINESS!!!

[dajoki]

139. we have got to stick together

I have a similar problem, I may not look disabled but I am. I have four herniated discs in my back, spinal stenosis, arthritis, which can only be seen by an mri. not to mention the depression and anxiety. we have no lobbyists or anyone. I called my senators and rep, they doubt it will get passed. I hope they are correct. but we still must watch out.

[maxsolomon]

126. My sister knows why he's on SSDI

I'm not likely to ever see him again.

I don't resent him being on SSDI at all; I believe in a minimum guaranteed income!

[RobinA]

66. Yep, There Are Certainly

shiftless freeloaders on disability. However, for every shiftless freeloader there's a guy or girl or two who can't work, but can't get disability because some decision maker has heard his or her case and decided that theoretically there is a job out there somewhere that he could do. If you work with these people it's kind of funny in a sick way the people that are determined to be able to work and therefore can't get benefits. You can tell that the judges that make these decisions have been in the working world, particularly the blue collar working world, like, never.

[CountAllVotes]

105. Or a rich freeloader that wants MORE NOW

They hire slime ball lawyers from out-of-state that get HALF of the retroactive settlement amount and yeah, they might get. MIGHT!

People like this do exist and they sicken me. I find it ironic when one of them is rich already but they want their Social Security now! When they find out that the nice health insurance plan that they have converts to Medicare after a couple of years, they do all they can to avoid it but, it cannot be avoided as it is part of the entire process of going from a working person that once had a job with benefits to a person that gets a pittance and is now required to be on Medicare to remain insured!

They about lose it when the physical therapist will no longer come to their home to help them if they need PT, etc. Medicare is not the same as private health insurance, that is for sure. They pay for only what they say they pay for and that is the end of it and these types will lie, cheat and steal to avoid it. Oh the irony!

[haele]

123. Part of the problem is the groundwork has already been laid to kick people off.

This was a big deal all over the TV five/six years ago after the crash, and it went like this...

In a lot of rural areas where the few jobs still available are either highly skilled work or physically demanding work, there are a lot of 50 - 60 year olds who got laid off and are faced with having to get a new job they can't physically do long enough to make it to 65.
Ask a 58 year old admin assistant or factory worker with age and stress related health problems to go out and compete with the equally out of work 25 or 30 year olds to be a waitress at the local Waffle House (on your feet for eight hours straight), or a stocker at Walmart (constant heavy lifting and climbing for eight hours)? These jobs also don't typically have health benefits - or if they do, those benefits take away half the paycheck, so the workers only end up with maybe $100 in their pocket and excruciating, mind numbing pain at the end of the work week. And they've got to plan they're going to be doing this week in, week out for the next ten to fifteen years until they can either get SS or they drop.

So, is that $100 a week of "dignified labor" at near minimum wage worth ten years of life? The poor somehow don't deserve a full lifespan because they can't buy a comfortable retirement like the lucky executive or professional can?

These people turn to disability simply because that's the only chance at a living wage they have. They can't physically compete with the younger people who need a job, let alone do the only work that is available to them without crippling themselves within ten years. So they apply for SSDI because there's no way they can support themselves - and their families.

Rural people die earlier at a much higher rate simply because their bodies and minds wear out. By the time she hit 65, my MIL had already gone to twelve funerals of schoolmates who had died of medical complications (and she went to a small town K - 12 school in Alabama that taught on average 75 - 100 kids); they just "wore out" or dropped dead after coming home from work, only seeing a doctor after it was too late.
That's not counting the nearly 20 who died of accidents, both due to work and due to traffic accidents. Half of her graduating cohort died before they were 60.

These are the majority of the people Mulvaney is talking about kicking off the disability roles. (And most of them are white, BTW.) The older members of the workforce who can't work because while they're functional, they've got either physical or medical conditions that keep them from qualifying for the paying jobs available where they live.
Sure, they can occasionally volunteer or do house work, but a regular 8hr/5day job that's within 100 miles of where they live?

SSDI is the only thing that keeps a roof over their heads - and getting on SSDI also gives them access to the Medicaid that keeps them alive and somewhat functional.
Otherwise, they'd be like those twelve schoolmates of my MIL - dead long before they were able to collect the Social Security they worked to put funds into for retirement.

Haele

[58Sunliner]

81. It isn't can they work a little. it is about being able to perform full-time

Last edited Wed May 24, 2017, 01:35 PM - Edit history (1)

regular employment, 5 days a week. Many disabilities allow for some effort, but repeated consistent effort is the problem. Please everyone, get educated on what constitutes a disability before you post BS like we all know someone who cheats disability. Unless you know their medical history, and their efforts at rehab, etc.. you are not qualified to speak.

[alarimer]

124. Who they THINK doesn't deserve it, at least.

Rates of fraud are usually greatly exaggerated.

[Marthe48]

127. Exactly my point

The judgemental in any community get their panties in a bind and second guess who should be and shouldn't be on disability. I've heard stories from 3 or 4 people complaining about someone getting disability, but still doing odd jobs, working on a car, getting money under the table. And the sick look on their faces as they tell this story, same look each person.
I also heard from 2 or 3 people who applied for disability and didn't qualify. Two of them were my sister-in-law and her husband, who both died of cancer within 2 years of each other, and soon after they were denied disability.
It is amazing how easy it is to get us to hate each other.

[alarimer]

134. Yes, it is.

Whatever happened to our obligations to take care of those least able to care for themselves (assuming we ever really had it)?

[Marthe48]

136. It is out there

unless a person is a real so-and-so, we've all done our share of helping. I thought that paying taxes to support government social programs made a lot of sense to help more people. I didn't have to pick and choose who deserved help, I didn't need be organized to give help to people I chose to help, (not being cold, just hard to make it all work). My taxes were my way of supporting my community, my country.

I just read that Ayn Rand thought altruism was self-destructive. So all of the selfish bastards in the gop seem to be more influenced by Ayn Rand than by Jesus Christ.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Trump's America is Dickensian

These battles have all been fought before, don't understand why they keep
coming back ... Dickens documented them in England, William Graham Sumner
wrote about them in 1877, the Progressive Era fought for worker's rights while
corporate America started to protect workers with benefits as a way to circumvent
Socialism and communism, the New Deal protected workers and the poor, the Great
Society ... all here know the history ... we have to fight these battles AGAIN?

WHERE did they find these Neanderthals?

[dajoki]

140. You are so right about that!! n/t

[Honeycombe8]

12. Problems with SSDI

He's punishing disabled people because of the frauds. And there ARE frauds in the program. There are frauds in every program. I watch Judge Judy and have seen countless people on that program over the years who get disability payments but are not disabled.

But because SOME are frauds doesn't mean the program should be cut. They need to seek out the doctors who turn in fraudulent dr reports.

There are rich people who are FRAUDS in their tax returns and business dealings. Congress doesn't do away with those deductions for everyone because, say, TRUMP used it fraudently.

Then there is the issue of HOW SSDI is funded. It's paid for by the Social Security Retirement Program, but that program was never intended to pay for disabled people. SS retirement was intended for people who had PAID into the system for a certain number of years, and then they get, on or after age 62, an amount based on how much they paid in. They get that amount for the rest of their lives, which is limited, since they're older.

So SSDI hurts the retirement program a lot because payments go to people who have not paid in a certain number of years, and they get paid disability for MANY MORE YEARS than SS was ever intended for.

SSDI should probably be a separate program. But in this bill, they are punishing ALL disabled for the frauds that get it. If they'r going to do that, I want to see punishment for ALL WEALTHY PEOPLE, for the fraud of some wealthy people.

[Stuart G]

16. About the so called "frauds"

Let's say that is one to two percent..No one knows.
That is a small percent. How many rich people cheat on their taxes? One to two percent..
.......................No one knows..................?? What percent of the rich get caught??No one knows...........
.......................Sure there are frauds in every walk of life....in every neighborhood......but..here is the
.........................point......to get social security disability...you have to go through quite a hurdle......It is a tall one....and it is difficult......and most of the people who work for the U.S. government..that is the federal government, are honest and kind. The people that I talked to on the phone when I applied for medicare, were ok. At those on the phone. You know, these republicans are awful who talk this way. I hate them more and more each day...each month..and so on....

[WinkyDink]

38. Since when does Judge Judy deal with these issues? Her cases are all civil, person v. person. HOW

ABOUT FRAUD WITH THE DEFENSE BUDGET? WITH THE 1% GRAND THEFT?

Oh, and:

1954 Disability program added to Social Security

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_(United_States)

GMAFB.

[Honeycombe8]

45. She often asks people if they work & how they get their money to live.

Civil cases involve money, so it's often relevant. At least in her opinion, and she's the Judge. Some man borrows money from a former gf with kids, and doesn't pay it back. She'll ask if he's working, what income he makes (to know why he needed to borrow money from a working mother, and does he have money to pay the loan back). If he's not working, she gets into where he gets his money from. Someone is paying for his living expenses.

There are also people who loan money to others from their college aid checks that are supposed to be for their education, etc. Then the people sue to get that money back from those who don't pay the loan back. JJ gets into where the person (who has no job) got the money from to loan. She gets angry if it's from college aid, since that is government money intended for the use of education.

Even non-tv civil suits get into a person's job, income, and such.

[WinkyDink]

46. 1.) "College aid" is irrelevant here. 2.) You cited no example of "SSDI Fraud."

[Honeycombe8]

50. Yes, I did. Re-read the post.

The fraud I was talking about...was that the people were NOT disabled at all. Healthy, big men who were suing over boat repairs because they go fishing and skiing, suing over the home repairs he did for someone to make extra money (he was supposedly disabled), etc. She asks the nature of the disabilities...always a vague problem with the back or whatever.

Groups of people suing each over over injuries from drunken brawls, and they are all on SSDI. JJ will point out they need to get jobs, so they don't have so much time on their hands to have drunken brawls.

A few of the people involved in litigation, their jobs come into the case somehow, but it also comes out they are also getting disability.

When you see it over and over, you get to recognize it. Just as she does...she's been a judge for over 40 years. Some are on disability, and it does seem legitimate.

College aid is another government benefit, and therefore similar to SSDI, which is a government benefit. There is fraud in every system, every program.

[MiddleClass]

99. Again, TV ratings, just like Gerry Springer

Next thing you're going to say is everybody from that particular group, tries to sleep with their ex-girlfriends mother,

I can almost guarantee that you watch shows like, "Maury Povich, you are the father"to make you feel superior.

I apologize, ad hominem – I take that back

[MiddleClass]

98. You do know it's all for TV ratings, don't you

Or maybe you are one of the people in the stands at WWF betting next week's allowance on the main event?

You do know the biggest beneficiary of taxpayer money is NOT the disabled man on your tax dollars, but Exxon Mobil, cashing in on tax credits.

Well, obviously you don't

[Honeycombe8]

128. I worked as a litigation paralegal for 40 years.

I know how these things work.

Yes, I know about Exxon, and agree. FRAUD EXISTS IN EVERY PROGRAM, EVERY SYSTEM. Are you trying to say that human beings are without any corruption in this one program? That's not reality.

Wherever you find human beings, you find corruption, as well as honest people. People are people.

[MiddleClass]

132. I totally agree, technically, your right on how it's funded,

But when you pay into Social Security taxes, it includes disability insurance now.

But yes, the funding comes from the general fund and must be voted on as a transfer to the disability, account.

When they added the fund was the last time they adjusted the six percent each rule, that's why. Self-employed pay 12 percent.

An aging population is the reason the trust fund is finite. Baby boomers retiring is a bigger number than Gen X and millennials combined. The whole 14 workers for every retiree, I think it's down to seven and going lower. After the baby boomers. It should level out for a while.

It's a logical fallacy. "When social security started in 36 life expectancy in America was 68 and now it's above 78" because the reduction in infant death, diseases like smallpox, kids, not dying in farmyard accidents is what did most for that 10 year increase, life expectancy after reaching the age of 65 only increased a few years.

I went from three jobs to one source of income, Social Security and one source of healthcare, Medicare, both controlled by these pricks in Washington, so I'm very protective of both.

Used to date a litigation paralegal years ago, last I heard she was married in Scarsdale

[TexasBushwhacker]

65. I hope you realize there are disabilities you can't see

I realize there is fraud in many areas, including people paying income taxes, but SSI and SSDI are not easy to get. That big, healthy looking guy may have a seizure disorder and asthma. The fact that he inherited a run down bass boat from his uncle and can go fishing occassionally doesn't mean he can maintain gainful employment. All this talk of disability fraud is a major right wing talking point.

[RobinA]

68. I Think We Can

stipulate that there are people obtaining SSD fraudulently and move on to the larger issue. Arguing that everybody on disability is on the up and up is a losing argument, unwinnable, and it detracts from dealing with SSD for the vast majority who ARE truly unable to work.

[CountAllVotes]

110. +1,000 !!

Right wing talking point indeed and guess who the first one in line the second a need presents?

[RobinA]

67. This Is a Peeve

of mine. Some schmo living fraudulently on SSDI, who is certainly not living in the lap of luxury, gets all the hate, but the banksters who are defrauding many and ARE living in the lap of luxury "must be pretty smart, or they wouldn't be so successful," (looking at you Trump et al. and supporters).

[underpants]

80. SSDI for someone who's has never worked is about $705 per month

Yes 700 whole dollars. No luxury possible.

[MiddleClass]

93. SSDI is Social Security Disability Insurance just like regular insurance

There is another that is for those handicapped all their life, never worked and can't work.

SSI is Social Supplemental Income – welfare for the severely handicapped.

When Bush's economy collapsed. He lowered the restrictions to qualify for both, to lower unemployment.

A.k.a. Judge Judy whipping up ratings

[underpants]

96. Oops my bad

[MiddleClass]

100. That's cool, I guess you could call it rhetorical. Directed to inform the readers,

Not even directed towards you in any way, directed more to enhance your very point

sorry about that

[TexasBushwhacker]

131. That's SSI

SSDI is for people who had gainful employment at some time.

[58Sunliner]

85. Really-Judge Judy and you are the expert. Give me a fu***** break.

[Honeycombe8]

130. That's an intelligent response. Very persuasive.

Yes....I worked in litigation for about 40 years.

Judge Judy is a real Judge, and worked for decades as a Judge before she was on tv.

When you run across a lot of certain situations or types of people, you begin to be able to discern what's what. Whatever the situation or type of person. That's why it's called experience.

Admit it: Wherever you find people, you find corruption, as well as honesty. That includes the SSDI program, as well as the tax system, sales taxes, contractors, insurance companies, you name it. People are people...they don't suddenly become angels because they're poor (or disabled or rich or whatever).

Don't know why you're upset. I did an innocuous post, just stating some basic facts, and it wasn't against SSDI. Don't shoot the relayer of facts because you don't like the facts.

My post was about the conservatives blaming the entire program because of the fraud of some (and there is fraud in the program), and that they don't hold other programs to the same standard, even though there is fraud in those programs, too, as there is in every program.

Read that paragraph again. You are angry about an obvious truth that is not against SSDI. That's like getting angry because the sky is blue and grass is green. But reality is reality, and facts are facts.

[MiddleClass]

87. My question?

I worked in Wall Street for 22 years, make a good salary as a back office worker. Paid my Social Security and Medicare. Every Friday.

At five o'clock I took the double R (subway) up to Madison Square Garden and the work security, crowd control, and our number one activity, stop boyfriends or girlfriends from killing the other because they caught them at the Nick game with someone else. 10 o'clock I went home. On Thursdays. I paid my Social Security + Medicare

On weekends, I worked concerts, yes, Billy Joel, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, on and on. When the garden was dark I played mechanic at my garage. Yes, my three jobs were more like hobbies, around 96, I was struck with MS, and got Social Security disability insurance, which I paid it to big time. Financially it was a bad investment, but in reality it's a lifesaver. No one, most importantly driven by political rhetoric, so Republicans can lower their taxes FICA + Medicare, is going to tell me my Social Security + Medicare tax dollars are any less deserving than theirs.

Chill that right-wing talking point bull

[jesskirablue42]

103. You might be confusing SSI and SSDI

With SSI, it is income based upon a set standard of living, and varies from state to state, and with SSDI, it is based on the jobs the person has had and how much they have put into it at the time they become disabled. just fyi.

[CountAllVotes]

107. Yes the jobs you had for 10 years

You must have 40 quarters to qualify for SSDI which is 10 years of work. These quarters of work history can go *poof* if you have to wait and wait and wait. They eventually fall to the wayside and you are then looking at SSI.

SSI is for those that have not paid into SSDI to qualify for it and they end up on SSI and in some cases both SSI and SSDI. Every situation is different.

It is complicated yes, but SSDI pays out nothing to those that have not worked long enough to qualify for it.

[yallerdawg]

13. SSDI is an earned benefit we all pay into!

It is disability insurance!

We had it taken out of our pay for our entire lives!

We pay into it for everyone else when we buy products and these payroll taxes are built into the cost of each and every item we consume - well, maybe not fruits and vegetables, or the people maintaining some of our yards and raising some of our children.

"And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love."

[crosinski]

26. Your compassion reflects your kindness.

Yes, SSDI is an earned benefit. The term 'Worn Out Worker' is one of the saddest I've ever heard. That's a real term for people who are all used up by hard labor before they are 66 years old. They are some of the people who draw SSDI, if they can prove they 'deserve it.'

It's not easy to get SSDI. A note from a doctor won't do it. That's a myth. Many people who are very sick die before they are approved.

[Honeycombe8]

49. You can be very young without having worked much at all, and qualify for SSDI.

SSDI does not work like SS Retirement. That's all I'm saying.

SSDI is the main part of SS that has gotten it into financial solvency issues (which are exaggerated by the right).

SSDI is not easy for some to get, but easy for others. There IS fraud in the system, just as there is fraud in every system.

[Tursiops]

63. You are confusing SSDI with SSI

Qualifying for SSDI and the amount one receives is based on how many years one has worked and how much one has payed into the fund.

[RobinA]

69. With Some Exceptions

If you were diagnosed before a certain age, have a deceased parent who qualifies and have never worked, you may be able to get SSD. This is a bit unusual because there are many pitfalls that disqualify people, but it does happen.

[MiddleClass]

106. If you are under 18, disabled, mentally or physically, you qualify under your parents earnings,

If you are not disabled with the deceased parent, you qualify until you are 18 or 21 enrolled in school. You qualify under your parents earnings.

If you are disabled over 18. You don't qualify under your parents, and if you don't have enough quarters (normally 40 with the slide scale with age), you don't qualify or SSDI.

If you fall into the last category, have under 700 income, minimal assets, no life insurance, you might qualify for SSI. Which is welfare for severely disabled people. Your godmother gives you a car worth more than 2500, you don't qualify until you sell the car and spend the money.

Sounds like Reagan's welfare queen driving a Cadillac political rhetoric does not fit here

[Honeycombe8]

95. SSDI (if younger than 31...you only have to had worked minimally)

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/credits.html

"Before age 24--You may qualify if you have 6 credits earned in the 3-year period ending when your disability starts.

Age 24 to 31--You may qualify if you have credit for working half the time between age 21 and the time you become disabled. For example, if you become disabled at age 27, you would need credit for 3 years of work (12 credits) out of the past 6 years (between ages 21 and 27)."

[Quackers]

52. Here's a chart that I posted a few years ago.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1141572

[Kittycow]

59. Thanks for this. I got it first try so didn't know how brutal it is.

[WePurrsevere]

90. This is excellent and...

it matches what I know and have learned over the years about SSDI.

The process is rarely an easy one unlike some people seem to think it is. Even once you get it you still have to undergo periodic evaluations to make sure that you're still eligible (permanently disabled and unable to work). Everything is done to help keep fraud as low as possible and that is actually very low according to Social Security's research.

[CountAllVotes]

108. Spot on!

Wow is this accurate.

I was approved after the initial application. At present I receive the amount stated (abt. $1,000 a month and I receive a small pension from my former employer that disability retired me so I have supplemental health coverage luckily).

So, I am doomed to living the rest of my life in poverty and no, I do not eat well at all as I don't qualify for assistance of any sort being I have assets over $2K in the bank so no free food for this household! NO.

[Honeycombe8]

48. SSDI is part of Social Security (FICA).

SSDI is not a separate tax. A SSDI beneficiary does not have to pay into SSDI for decades, if younger than about 30.

When SS was set up, it was not intended for disability. SS was set up so that people, who had paid into the fund for 35+ years, would get supplemental income in their senior years. The majority of seniors lived in poverty at that time. So the # of years was, by default, limited to the lifespan of a senior person.

Later, disability was added, including that young people can get it w/o having contributed much to it, and including that some will be receiving those payments for much longer than SS Retirement benefiiaries.

So that's added to the problems of the SS Fund solvency.

I'm not saying disabled people should not get benefits. I'm not saying that at all. I'm just correcting what you seem to be saying...that you think it works like SS Retirement benefits, when it doesn't.

[yallerdawg]

70. Let's go to an authority on this matter, shall we?

AARP

"SSDI is an earned benefit that focuses on physical and mental impairments that are severe enough to prevent people from engaging in their normal occupations or any other work. Their impairment must be expected to last for at least 12 months or to end in death."

"SSDI benefits can be paid to blind or disabled workers, and like Social Security retirement benefits, to their children, to their widows or widowers, and to adults who haven't worked but have been disabled since childhood."

"SSDI dates to 1960, when Social Security's rules were amended to permit payment of benefits to disabled workers of any age and to their dependents. These benefits were based on the person's work record, as are retirement benefits."

[Honeycombe8]

97. Exactly. It's part of the SS funding, and if you are young, ....

you had to have worked in a SS job for some time, but not very long. Those disability payments come out of the SS Fund, and may continue for many decades, despite the worker not having paid much into the system.

"Before age 24--You may qualify if you have 6 credits earned in the 3-year period ending when your disability starts.

Age 24 to 31--You may qualify if you have credit for working half the time between age 21 and the time you become disabled. For example, if you become disabled at age 27, you would need credit for 3 years of work (12 credits) out of the past 6 years (between ages 21 and 27).

31 through 42---20 credits needed."

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/credits.html


This was added later, after SS was started in the 1930s. The SS system was originally not designed for disability. This plays a big part in SS's financial difficulties that are projected, is my understanding.

These are just facts. I'm not arguing against SSDI by any means. I'm just pointing out WHY the politicians on the right are targeting it. They also think, IMO, that because SOME people get it fraudulently, the program should be reduced for ALL. But they don't think that about any programs that the wealthy people benefit from, even though there is fraud in those programs, too. There is fraud in every program. There are corrupt people in everything.

[CountAllVotes]

111. You pay into it for yourself

If you have something happen to you like what happened to me (hit with a progressive disease DX at the age of 40 years) you must have paid into Social Security Disability Insurance for 10 years to receive it. As you mention, it is taken out of your paycheck and yes, it covers YOU too if something happens (which I sincerely hope does not happen to you or anyone else).

Life as a disabled person living on nothing is not all some seem to think it is cracked up to be!

[yallerdawg]

114. My wife is 100% disabled.

She was a stay-at-home housewife and mother, raised two kids while I worked.

She had no qualifying credits for SSDI. (Hillary was gonna work on that - too many women fall through THAT crack!)

She is covered by SSI, the other program we all pay into!

Which where we live makes her eligible for Medicaid - as long as she is eligible for any coverage from SSI.

Which is reduced by any amount of money or other benefits we earn or receive!

But I guarantee you one thing!

It's better than nothing!

[CountAllVotes]

115. SSI is state funded

It has nothing to do with Federal funding.

As for SSDI, WE ALL pay into it. Most of us hopefully never need it.

I never even thought about it. It was just another deduction from my paycheck which was 3X what I now receive. I never thought I'd end up in this boat!

It is better than nothing right you are! I keep telling myself this over and over again.

for both of you. You need all the you can get when you are in this boat! *sigh*

[yallerdawg]

117. My wife is evaluated and certified every 2 years by Social Security Administration.

"Another key difference is how the two programs are financed. SSDI is funded by the Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers and self-employed people. SSI, on the other hand, is financed by general revenues that the Treasury Department collects to run the U.S. government."

"SSI began operating 14 years after SSDI, in 1974, with the Social Security Administration placed in charge of it. The program replaced a maze of disparate state programs that offered benefits, financed by federal aid."

"Given those program's welfare origins, SSI benefits have never been tied to a person's work record. In 2012, SSI pays an eligible individual $698 a month while an eligible couple receives $1,048 a month. Although these amounts may be lower if the beneficiary has work income, Social Security will count less than half of the earnings in determining the SSI benefit. And in some states, the amounts may be increased by state subsidies."

http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-06-2012/social-security-disability-insurance-supplemental-security-income.html

[CountAllVotes]

120. Same here

Even though my condition WILL NOT improve I still get that questionnaire every few years too. I look back at prior submissions and wow is it depressing.

[not fooled]

15. And when will we hear comparable "reporting"

on Wall Street fraudsters, defense contractors cheating the taxpayer out of enormous sums, billionaire tax cheats, etc. etc. etc., all of which cost the Treasury many, many times what a small % of SSDI recipients might incur?

Oh, let's guess..NEVER.

One-sided demonization of poor people getting help vs. massive looting by the wealthy...there will never be the honest reporting that's warranted.

Because--the goal is not to accurately report on what's costing the taxpayer for unwarranted payouts, but rather to demonize SSDI recipients so that the pukes can wreck the program.

The U.S. is the most heavily propagandized country in the history of the planet. And it shows...

[Kablooie]

17. They always say that cutting the budget is the way to counter fraud.

Never a discussion of procedures to limit or catch fraud.
Just cut back how much money goes to assisting people and fraud will magically be decreased.

[Stuart G]

153. That is an outright lie....Once under Bush..Social Security Department hadled

some sort of extra payment from the IRS..I don't remember too much about it, but at some point it came out that millions were sent to the wrong addresses . Social security did an investigation and found out the truth..Yes millions of dollars were sent to the wrong addresses, but those are the only addresses that the department had....Further, Hundreds of millions were send to the correct addresses. ...

It was later determined that Social Security department, got the amount of money sent, and the addresses correct, 98% of the time.. The media reported the earlier mistakes with fan fare....

The 98% number was in the back somewhere..Very few read about that. Here is the important point:::

......there is very little fraud in Social Security funding to recipients. Of course there is some, but as a total percent, it is very small. and has very little effect of the budget..actually none, since that money comes from a special fund that is not connected to the budget...

[keithbvadu2]

18. SSDI is a cottage industry in Trump country.

SSDI is a cottage industry in Trump country.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/local/2017/03/30/disabled-or-just-desperate/?utm_term=.f32e02b5deaf

Disabled, or just desperate?
Rural Americans turn to disability as jobs dry up

No problemo..... Just waiting for all those coal jobs Trump is going to bring back.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=coal+country+disability+social+security

[58Sunliner]

91. People get hurt, people have no resources, they can not be retrained to another job.

That is what disability is for. Calling it a cottage industry in areas where people are less likely to have white collar jobs, or ones with educational requirements, and they they have physical problems is propaganda.

[keithbvadu2]

94. Being without a job is not a disability.

[kacekwl]

19. Should play this as a commercial on faux news shows.

Let the trump backers see exactly what is comming for them.

[cstanleytech]

20. The amount many on disability get is below the poverty level. nt

[orangecrush]

21. People who do the harder, labor intensive jobs

Tend to get the kind of injuries and just plain worn out body parts (spine discs, shoulders, knees, etc.) that make it impossible for them to continue working, often in their 50s.

What these bastards are really saying was well paraphrased by George Carlin - they want your retirement money so they can give it to their criminal friends on Wall street to gamble with.

Fuck Trump and his band of thugs.

I hope to see some of them serving time before they have a chance to fuck the popular vote majority.

[SonofDonald]

24. I'm disabled.

I fished in the Bering Sea for 7.5 years, smashed fingers, broken metatarsal on left foot, broken femoral neck on right leg, spinal stenosis the length of my spine, left knee had three operations and then replaced, they told me three years ago both my hips need to be replaced.

I shattered my right tib and fib as a boot top fracture in 2004 on the job, not my fault, my right foot is rotated 15-20 degrees from normal to the right, the leg is 1/2 inch shorter than my left.

I worked HEAVY construction for years defined as heavy by labor and industries, finished my career as a disabled civilian heavy equipment mechanic for the US Army.

Fourteen years hazwopper training, fifteen years in the bulk petroleum industry, I worked on the fuel dock seen in the deadliest catch series for seven years, out in the weather, storms, heat, cold, snow banks, those oil drums weigh 400 pounds, I've moved thousands by hand.

I've been stabbed, beat on, thrashed, broken bones, arthritis, etc.....

I'm 58 years old, I had to quit working at 50, as you can see from the above, I'm not afraid of work.

Come take the benefits I worked for and paid into my entire life for.

Just try......

[Stuart G]

40. Thank You for sharing your life experience. I like this one sentence...

"Come take the benefits I worked for and paid into my entire life for. "

and with that one sentence, you have defended Social Security and your story is clear for all to understand

..thank you again..

[orangecrush]

56. Thanks for standing up

FOR ALL OF US!

[Skittles]

62. we need people like you to speak out

we hear too much from repukes about the disabled, and not enough from the actual disabled folk

yes indeed

[SonofDonald]

71. If I could find a forum to do so.

I'd be happy to, in public in front of the press, or whoever wants to listen.

When I posted the original post I had to edit it to include my broken right leg, I didn't forget it but then I don't have a list to copy from.

There is more, I've lived a very hard painful life, but it's been the American dream for me, I wouldn't trade it for anything else, but I would like my body back.

I shattered my leg, and was retrained as a an emergency communications operator, a 911 operator, I was the head of my class, but my hands/fingers have been so beaten I can't hit the 35 wpm cutoff for typing, I took 3 tests for employment as a 911 operator but I can't type fast enough.

I aced the decision making portion of the test all three times though, my IQ is a measured 137, I've always been a voracious reader but I've worked outside with my hands since I was a child, and that's what I love.

I am a journeyman diesel mechanic, I cleaned up oil spills, moved those huge oil tanks and built pipelines, I've worked at all the Boeing plants in the puget sound, Ft Lewis, Bangor, Keyport, caught a couple million pounds of Crab and around 70 million pounds of fish in the Bering.

In Construction I was waiting for the ok to board a plane at Boeing field in Seattle to travel to New York, to do the initial penetration into the Marriott Hotel at ground zero, to allow inspectors to determine if it could be saved, the building was condemned and we were stood down.

I've had a life most people couldn't imagine, but I'm just a normal guy, I'm nothing special, but I do have a story.

And the memories.

And there's millions out there like me, and we do not deserve to have these benefits taken away or marginalized, they've already taken trillions from social security and it's not been paid back, do they really want to commit political suicide?.

I'll show them where to sign up and I won't be alone.

Anytime, anywhere.

[Skittles]

122. I hear you

and thank you......what would life be without people like you, willing to do the really tough work....yes indeed

[CountAllVotes]

118. +1

Agree.

Working graveyard shift at the age of 19 in downtown SF. Wow was that ever NOT FUN! I busted forms all night and lifted 75 lb. reams of paper all night. It ruined my back and I live with a torn rotator cuff/rutured tendon.

Both knees need to be replaced.

Surgery needed on one foot (leg is longer than the other one so I drag it and have a torn Achilles tendon)

Add MS to this mix and no, I cannot work any more or do much of anything that requires I stand or sit longer than 5 minutes.

I'm with you ... let them take the benefits we have paid into while we worked all of those years!

FUCK THEM!

[SonofDonald]

149. If they would only listen to us.

I used to see older men with bent spines, dragging a leg or walking in a way that had nothing to do with walking as I knew it, this is when I was very young, it was explained to me that these were war veterans who were so damaged by their service to our Country they walked this way now.

They are almost all gone except for the ones I see now and then from later wars, but some of these men weren't injured in war, their jobs did this to them, you and I know all about that, I'm six foot, normal weight, I look big and healthy.

But I can't walk in a straight line, when you see me walk it's obvious something is wrong with my right leg, it drags like yours, and I have the same problem with endurance, I just can't spend lots of time on my feet without having to sit and recover.

I can put out a couple hours of work in a day around the house, if I overdo it, it takes an entire day or more to recover and as you know it's not fun in the least bit.

Some people see me park in a handicapped space, then wonder what's wrong with me, they didn't see how slowly I got out of the car, or those first ten steps to start moving again.

I've gotten grief so many times while using my handicapped card it isn't funny anymore.

And then I see a car parked in those spaces, the driver gets out and runs into the store, they aren't disabled and I call the police.

Three reasons to have disabled permits.

You can't see very well

You can't breathe very well

You can't walk very well

Thanks for posting your story here, you are not alone.

[barbtries]

22. mulvaney is cruel, heartless,

and tone deaf. iirc he's the same guy who said he could ask the poor single working mother to pay for the military, but not for meals on wheels?

[florida08]

23. These people are just bastards

Disability does not mean handicapped! I have friends who have suffered strokes and heart attacks. They can no longer work in there middle class job becauses it's too physical for their reduced health. Doesn't mean they stay indoors on oxygen. For God sakes this country has become selfish and self center.

[crosinski]

31. You're allowed to earn some money while drawing disability.

It's legit to earn some money while drawing disability. There's a limit to how much money you're allowed to make though. Cross that limit and you're not considered disabled anymore, and you're automatically transitioned into the disability to work program. Since the average disability check is $1,200 a month, a lot of people need to make a little extra a month if they possibly can. Many can't but are still extremely grateful for what they do receive.

[58Sunliner]

92. Yes you can earn money, but it is taken out of SSDI the amount you earn.

They do not allow you to keep the full amount. And that is the problem, because after you factor work expenses, it becomes futile to do so. Then what happens if you to go back on full disability? It is another process. They make it hard.

[SonofDonald]

72. Right on the money

Absolutely true, it's not the determination to work they lack, it's the physical stamina, I know this for a fact, if I could still work I would be.

I know for certain that the inability to work has nothing to do with the desire to, I wish I could hold down a job but there's a point when no matter what accommodations are offered to help you continue working you just can't keep up the pace.

We have good days and bad days, we don't get to choose when they happen, this is the deciding factor in continuing employment.

I volunteer at the local Veterans home on an as can basis, I'd love to do more but it's not feasible, I'm an officer in a national service organization and do what I can to help others, and I'm lucky I can do that.

The truly disabled have no choice in the matter, it's not their fault.

And these bastards want to take away their hope along with their pride.

They must want to lose their livelihood like we have.

We should volunteer to help them.

[George II]

27. He's pure evil.

[ThoughtCriminal]

29. It can be done

Mostly by doing the EXACT opposite of what Republicans want. Here are two things that would make a real difference.

- Provide universal healthcare, so that people gent preventative care and treatment for chronic health conditions

- Improve workplace safety to reduce on the job injuries

Needless to say rejecting these measures is among the GOP's highest priorities.

[MiddleClass]

30. Please tell me when exactly the American people

Started glorifying rich trust fund babies, even make them president.


All while demonizing Americans worked all their lives and became disabled from doing their job, feeding their families, without a trust fund.

Plucking sickening!

[WinkyDink]

44. My theory? When Robin Leach introduced "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." Envy and worship

ensued.

And snake-oil Elmer Gantrys took note, and thus was born the "Prosperity Theology" cult of greedy complacent "Christians."

[niyad]

88. never could stand that program. you may be correct.

[MiddleClass]

116. You know, I think you're right.

The early eighties.

Yuppies, trickle-down Reaganomics (voodoo economics), Dallas, Dynasty, Wall Street: Gordon Gecko: greed is good.

Me generation, the eighties,

the seventies bleeding heart liberals, the pendulum swung all the way over.

Yes, you're right, I not only know it, I lived it, Trans Am, IROC, Knight Rider, Magnum PI,

[Skittles]

61. Reagan made greed and idiocy fashionable

America has never truly recovered

[niyad]

86. welcome to du. a most excellent question.

[MiddleClass]

133. Thank you, a little perspective is needed. These days

People want to throw a monkey wrench into the gears of government,

they reach into what they thought was the toolbox and stuck us with this dildo

[workinclasszero]

155. Rayguns...the 80s...greed is good remember?

[PatSeg]

32. This guy is really something

Could he sound any more heartless and cruel? Did he really think people would buy this crap?

[WinkyDink]

42. I'm not saying I wish an awful demise upon him. I'm just saying.

[PatSeg]

54. Of course not

Neither would I. I am just wishing he gets everything he deserves 100 fold. Bless his little heart.

[Judi Lynn]

34. Republicans aren't intelligent enough to realize how ugly they look to human beings.

They should be barred from holding office by law. They are not working in the interest of the human race.

[Paula Sims]

35. Karma is waiting

But meanwhile, lots of people will get hurt.

I'm one of those people that "don't look like they need it" but I wouldn't with lymphedema, lipoedema, or Ehlers-Danlos on anyone. Well, maybe a few in the Trump administration. . .

[WinkyDink]

36. Of course, besides his complete EVIL, MM ignores the reality that many SSDI recipients were once not

and thus PAID INTO THE SYSTEM.

Mulvaney is OBSESSED with making benefits some zero-sum game, pitting Americans against each other, but primarily all against the infirm.

WHAT THE HELL KIND OF MENTALITY DOES THIS VILE SON OF A BITCH HAVE, AND HOW THE HELL DID HE DEVELOP IT?

[Initech]

41. Is it wrong that part of me wants these people to get horrible, incurable diseases?

[WinkyDink]

43. If that's wrong, I don't want to be right.

[rurallib]

47. SS really investigates folks before they get disability

it's not just handed out like candy at Halloween. I have had severl friends who deserved it get turned down.

These people live in a fantasy world where anyone who isn't rich is therefore a parasite on the rich and must be controlled or crushed.

[Quackers]

53. I shared this upthread

But I'll share it again. This chart shows the process of filing for disability and the percentage of denials and approvals at each stage.

[mbusby]

55. I applied for SSDI...

...it took 2.5 years and required a lawyer. It was taken to the very last step in your diagram before it was approved.

[williesgirl]

58. Same for my daughter. Plus, no one's mentioned the

"Review" that's done every 2 to 3 years to make sure you still qualify as disabled. Not a fun process.

[GatoGordo]

144. Sadly,

I have two perfectly capable relatives (including a sister) who know how to game the system, and game it they have. People who are very much disabled are getting less than they deserve, and some are getting nothing due to the fact that frauds are stealing from the taxpayer.
I want a safety net as much as anyone, but there must be a way to get these frauds off the dole, and keep them from getting benefits they don't deserve.

[Hortensis]

146. No one can disagree with that, but the problem is far, FAR smaller

than enemies of these programs would have people believe. My own neighbors believe probably half of all people receiving DI could just go get a job, i.e., are stealing from the taxpayers, and that's why they're so outraged.

The thing is, there not only are ways to keep frauds from getting on the dole in the first place, as well as getting them off, but they are enforced as much as budget will allow. I used to know someone who earned his living documenting people on or applying for DI carrying out heavy garbage cans, strolling large malls, etc. The actually number of serious, real fraud's probably well under 5%. (Noting, importantly, that genuinely disabled people often don't seem so to casual amature inspection.)

This below that I grabbed quickly from the GAO is from 2010 data. The 0.4% of all beneficiaries figure is from income monitoring only and doesn't include people who did no work and received no income, but the number of frauds identified was about *** 0.4% of all beneficiaries.***

Estimated "overpayments" from more causes estimates about: *** 1.27% of all BENEFITS. *** Note that, significantly, some of those crooks will be too disabled to work full time all year but do want to work and do occasionally do so under the table.

Unemployment insurance fraud is similar, usually below10%, AND, significantly the two large groups making up most of the abusers are people who are working, not slackers--those who claim an extra month unemployed after getting a job (probably 90% of them hurting for money to carry them through to that first paycheck) and those who do a little unofficial work to bring in some income while looking for a permanent job. (Lazy scum!)

*******************************************************************************

From the General Accounting Office: "On the basis of analyzing Social Security Administration (SSA) data on individuals who were Disability Insurance (DI) beneficiaries as of December 2010 and earnings data from the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), GAO estimates that SSA made $1.29 billion in potential cash benefit overpayments to about 36,000 individuals as of January 2013. ... These DI beneficiaries represent an estimated 0.4 percent of all primary DI beneficiaries as of December 2010.

Using a different methodology that includes additional causes of overpayments not considered in GAO's analysis, SSA estimated its DI overpayments in fiscal year 2011 were $1.62 billion, or 1.27 percent of all DI benefits in that fiscal year.

GAO estimated DI program overpayments on the basis of work activity performed by two populations of individuals. The first population received potential overpayments due to work activity during the DI program's mandatory 5-month waiting period--a statutory program requirement to help ensure that SSA does not pay benefits to individuals who do not have long-term disabilities. Prior to receiving benefits, individuals must complete a 5-month waiting period, in which the indiv

idual cannot exceed a certain level of earnings, known as substantial gainful activity, during any month in order to be eligible for DI benefits. Earnings that exceed program limits during the waiting period indicate that individuals might not have long-term disabilities.

The second population received potential overpayments due to work activity beyond the program's trial work period--the trial work period consists of up to 9 months in which a DI beneficiary may return to work without affecting her or his benefits. However, beneficiaries whose earnings consistently exceed program limits after completing a trial work period are generally no longer entitled to benefits."

[SonofDonald]

150. You are correct

I went through appointments with medical and mental health doctors to determine my disability level and type.

They reviewed all my medical files and made a decision to accept my claim, it went to a reviewers desk as it was accept so quickly, I was told it could sit there for some time.

He turned it in as accepted the next day, it took 35 days total from the moment I started filling out forms to acceptance.

But I was lucky??? to be so damaged I guess, I hear about people trying for years to be helped and I grieve for them.

[Purple Dinger]

51. Is it rude of me to wish Mr. Mulvaney

a "good luck" and seal him in a empty room with nothing but a Q-tip, a plastic lid and a eyebrow shaper?

Seal as in lock him in for the next oh, 72 hours, isolated.

[AwakeAtLast]

57. My cousin with MD

HAD TO WALK INTO A COURTROOM IN FRONT OF A JUDGE THREE TIMES!

SHE WAS REALLY DISABLED YOU SNIVELING SHITGIBBON!







My rants are getting louder, it seems...

[librechik]

73. They want to give us a choice--can't choose not to have diabetes and heart disease

Satanists have taken over the asylum

[kirene1957]

74. WH Budget

These ass holes are self centered rich assholes that do not give a damn about the people of America! We who are on Disability have paid into it. I myself paid into it for almost 40 years total. I paid for my fair share, SHREW all of YOU who think you are paying for ME!

[wolfie001]

75. This is the TRUE death panel......

....not the make believe fakery Sarah Palin shed those crocodile tears over. Repukes are heartless, venal sick f**ks!

[MFM008]

76. This asshat

Needs to go back in time to enjoy the best of the Irish potato famine.

[maveric]

77. I seriously believe that they are trying to "Thin Out the Herd".

No health benefits. No jobs...

[haele]

78. F/U Mulvaney. For every one SSDI scammer, there's 100 disabled citizens that have been denied SSDI

And most of those SSDI scammers are basically unemployable and borderline disabled anyway, due to severe personality disorders and/or addiction problems.
Honestly, going to all that effort to deceive the system just for $1200 - $1500 a month of taxpayer money (if one includes food stamps and Section-8)? And they don't get "free" Medicare along with that SSDI, either.

Is that really the sort of Mensa slacker you want to hire for anything other than a temp, a cash register jockey or a stocker?

A honest employer looking out for his or her business wouldn't hire most SSDI scammers in the first place. And they're typically the first ones fired because they can't be trusted over a long period of time.

Most SSDI scammers are marginal at best, and do not have the emotional or physical capability to provide any work towards Mulvaney's precious "economic Growth". They're what he (and other Randroids) would consider "useless, disposable takers" anyway.
Best just give them a minimum living stipend - if he doesn't want to send them on to work camps to die.

Haele

[CountAllVotes]

119. So true

My late father was disabled from WWII injuries he incurred in Guadalcanal.

He applied and was denied and gave up -- just what they wanted.

Hence, my mother carried the load working and working and working.

It was a pretty sad life with little of anything "extra" so to speak!

These are immoral bastards of the lowest ilk!!

[Blue_Tires]

79. The rural working white class voters were unavailable for comment

[niyad]

83. and I hope that you, and all the members of his maladministration, and all the fuckers who

put you hateful scum in power, receive EVERYTHING you deserve.

[no_hypocrisy]

101. A woman I know sustained an insurmountable spine injury.

She was an OR nurse and can no longer work -- or walk. 24/7/12 unrelenting pain. She needs the disability money.

[usaf-vet]

109. I'll bet Mick Mulvaney would change his tune if his name was on the SSDI list.

Remember Paul Ryan use SSI Death benefits when his father pass away when Ryan was a teenager.

The evil heartless a$$holes believe they are the only ones that deserve benefits from our government. They take EVERY penny they can and then deny similar benefit to millions of other Americans.

Time to clean the Congressional houses. One worm at a time if necessary with a clean sweep in 2018 if possible.

[kimmylavin]

113. "And now I'm off to church."

Asshole.

[red dog 1]

121. K&R...Thanks for posting

Fuck You, Mulvaney, you heartless bastard!

[ProfessorPlum]

125. We ALL pay the benefits, asshole.

A lot of us pay propionately more than our rich overlords do, too.

Sorry, this is directed at Mulvaney.

[geretogo]

135. I hope this Koch desciple hits a brick wall on his way home and has his spine severed . He needs to

experience the effects of his actions .

[yuiyoshida]

137. GOD!! I really hate Republicans...

共和党は生きている地獄で燃えるかもしれない

[dembotoz]

142. i worked for a cap agency when reagun came in ...overnight the rejections blew up

the reason given at the time is that a percentage would not appeal and that was money saved

compassion is for the other guy

[Orsino]

143. This is the latest Republican Newspeak talking point.

"Getting people off assistance" is equated with getting them out of poverty, when of course the effect is the opposite.

The more desperate rich donors become for more tax cuts, the stupider their Congressional stooges will sound.

[Lanius]

145. I'm not surprised a freak like Mulvaney would say something like this. Most of the right-wing

nutjobs I've ever known or debated believe a majority of the poor and/or disabled are faking it to live on the taxpayer dime. And they believe that those who are disabled can still work, even if it's a job that would be demeaning and/or make their disability worse.

IMO this goes back to America's past and the Puritan (aka Protestant or Calvinist) work ethic. Hard work and frugality were highly valued, especially by the "predestined" or the "elect" (whom today the right-wingers would call the "elite&quot . The non-predestined (i.e. the unsuccessful) were encouraged to work hard to be like the elite. Those who didn't were shamed and shunned by their communities. (We see this today, with white conservatives denigrating others for supposedly not wanting to work or for not working hard enough, and saying if minorities would just work hard enough all their problems would magically take care of themselves.)

What's interesting is modern Americans seem to have conveniently forgotten the "frugal" part of the concept of the Protestant work ethic.

[Alice11111]

148. and I hope you rot in hell

[beachbum bob]

151. SSI is an abused program...we all should demand only those in need

Should receive assistance. Fraud is a real problem.

[MiddleClass]

152. Do explain exactly how much it costs you in your paycheck?

8000 dollars per year, multiplied by exactly how many fraudsters?

How many million or even billion are given out in corporate welfare?

How much does it cost the tax payer to have Apple computers board room in Palo Alto, California, and there corporate registration in Dublin or lekslip in the Republic of Ireland, please do tell how this massive problem. You speak of hurts the taxpayer? Or being more specific, your personal tax return beach bum Bob?

[WinkyDink]

156. You have no idea of what you're talking about. Why don't you worry about fraud in the give-aways to

the 1%?

[radical noodle]

154. I know someone who has spina bifida

who was a "Hillary is so much worse" guy. He was always a Dem... until Bernie, then went for Stein. I suspect that a lot of Trump supporters are on SSDI too, because I know several. It will be interesting to hear their take.