2.2 Million Go On Disability Since Mid-2010; Fraud Explains Falling Unemployment Rate

Townhall.com ^ | May 6, 2012 | Mike Shedlock

[Kaslin]

Since mid-2010, precisely at the time millions of US citizens used up all of their 99 week of unemployment insurance, disability claims have risen by 2.2 million. Those on disability are not counted in the workforce and are not considered unemployed.

Please consider Disabled Americans Shrink Size of U.S. Labor Force

[tbw2]

Would could be done to winnow the disability roles and prevent a permanent use of this as welfare?

[Blood of Tyrants]

More and more riding in the wagon and fewer and fewer pulling it.

[The Working Man]

I hate to say it, but around here getting on disability is considered to be a good thing just like winning the lottery. Quite sad really...

[cripplecreek]

Too much government drives people and business to cheat.

Anyone who has spent any real time in a factory knows that cheating at inventory time is pretty much standard procedure for all manufacturers.

[traditional1]

Nothing can be done, with complicity by Doctors who Certify people as being dis-abled. No different than the Wisconsin Teachers’ Union members who protested and occupied the Capitol Building, while getting paid for “sick time” with notes signed by “Epstein’s Mother”.

[TwelveOfTwenty]

Would could be done to winnow the disability roles and prevent a permanent use of this as welfare?

Probably nothing. The "disabled" vote too, and as long as the politicians who pander to them pander to enough other groups to get themselves re-elected, nothing will change.

The only thing that could change this is when the money runs out, and the politicians are no longer able to pay for all of the goodies they promised. As long as China is buying our debt, that won't happen either.

If there's anything I'll remember about the Obama years, it will be feeling stupid for working and paying my bills.

[KoRn]

"I hate to say it, but around here getting on disability is considered to be a good thing just like winning the lottery. Quite sad really..."

Same thing here in my area. After all of the factories closed during the 90s, getting on disability is the new 'American Dream'. I know a lady that practices in a doctor's office, she told me that day after day people come in practically demanding it.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Headline says: 2.2 Million Go On Disability Since Mid-2010; Fraud Explains Falling Unemployment Rate

first paragraph says: Since mid-2010, precisely at the time millions of US citizens used up all of their 99 week of unemployment insurance, disability claims have risen by 2.2 million.

Fraud is right. There's a big difference between making disability claims and going on disability.

I did not read the rest of the article.. unless the Obama radicals (campus spoiled brats) instructed government employees to approve every application the person who typed in the headline is the fraud.

[Dick Vomer]

low back pain, fake seizures, carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, drug addicts (heroin), anxiety disorders, all get you on the Social Security disability bandwagon...

what’s funny, where I work is that if Obama had a couple of bowel movements, those people would look like them.

[upchuck]

Disability is the new welfare. Once these folks get on, they are on for life. There are very few cases of disability being taken away from someone once they are on it.

Allowing this to happen is a HUGH mistake. Talk about your “permanent underclass.” That’s exactly what is being created.

A solution to this problem is to raise the standards one must meet to be considered disabled. As a triage interviewer at a local food bank, I’ve spoken with folks who got on permanent disability just because they have a sore neck.

IMHO, the “disability lawyers” are largely to blame.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I'm amazed at the number of law firms which specialize in this fraud.
Have they no shame ?

[Logical me]

Easy to get on disability. Just walk in with a bandage on the third finger and you got it. America is F’ed.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

That's how it looked through 2009.. I don't think that SSDI has provided more recent data in this form.
So the author is saying that it's all dark blue.. no red, no grey, no white, no light blue no black. All applications get Initial awards? I do not believe it. Or all get approval after appeals and reconsideration? I do not believe that either.

Outcomes of Applications for Disability Benefits

This thread is the umpteenth time for the story.. yes let's high-light it but without such misleading intros.

I recall the Bush recovery years 2001 - 2003 when conservatives -- including all the talk show hosts I admire -- screamed "Bush bashing!" because their claims of the numbers of new jobs being created were ignored by the MSM. Fact was the talk show hosts were using the wrong stats.

.. unless the Obama spoiled brats changed the rules most (all) approvals are subject to reviews to verify disability as the years pass.

[SunkenCiv]

Hey, why not, we’ve got a disabled president, vice president, and atty general. Thanks Kaslin.

[TribalPrincess2U]

unless the Obama spoiled brats changed the rules

Like they wouldn't? 0 don't need no stinkin' approval for rule changes.

[norge]

sorry to disagree, but as a working man sho has contributed thousands over the years i disability ibsurance...I’m noy going yo be called out for the meager 622bucks I goy after my stroke last June. I’d work, but I can”teven drive my lawnmower.

[Son House]

And didn’t we learn recently that Puerto Rico had the highest claims approved in the Nation?

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Yes - Puerto Rico has some administrative law judges who approve at the highest rates in the US. I think the real story here is that the Obama Administration is finding new ways to supply welfare benefits to its voter base. Between precipitous rise in disability, and things like the 49 state AG settlement with the 5 major mortgage servicers (brokered by the DOJ), the administration is finding a way to get money to its base without having to appropriate general revenues (which it can’t get past the house at this time). I wouldn’t be surprised if they look at the DOJ anti-trust action against Apple in the same way. New sources of revenue to re-distribute, without OBTW having to involve the Congress.

[GailA]

Some people are truly disabled, and need that protection, but a whole host of them need tossing...if you are a drugie you do not need on Disability or if you are depressed, to many drugs to treat that out there same goes for those who are bi-polar.

Now if you need a heart transplant you need to be on it, as you cannot work. Same goes for people with ALS or advanced MS. Get the lawyer on the FRONT END, not after you have applied and been turned down. Have all your medical records at hand.

BUT NO ILLEGALS.