Senate report highlights Social Security disability benefit abuses

washington examiner ^ | 9-13-12 | mark flatten

[TurboZamboni]

A woman was awarded Social Security disability benefits because of "crippling hand pain" from carpel tunnel syndrome, but still managed to work as a bartender.

A judge coached a disability applicant to lie about paying rent to boost his payments from the government.

‘I think you could flip a coin for anybody who came before the Social Security commission for disability and get it right just as often as the ALJs do, - Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.’

A man with history of cocaine addiction was approved for disability because of back pain and headaches, which he claimed could be controlled enough for him to work if he got the prescription painkiller he wanted.

Those are examples described in a Senate investigative report being released today of cases in which administrative law judges overruled Social Security officials and awarded disability benefits to people who appealed the agency's decision. Unlike federal court judges who interpret the law, ALJs focus on compliance with regulatory standards and processes.

[banjo joe]

Same here. Family members (by marriage) who are able bodied, sound of mind, and yet have reached the mature age of early 30's with no job experience, no resume and have always been given a "check".

Dumb as posts, yet very shrewd at working the system.

I will tell you this: They view themselves as "smart", "shrewd", because they have beaten the system. They are so smart and shrewd they consider us "suckers" for working and providing for families.

We do not dare "disrespect" them either, or they will bring down popular attitude upon us. They are after all, "disabled".