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I can speak to this, since my job for the past 22 years involves reviewing claims for disability under both Title II (disability benefits) and Title XVI (supplemental security income benefits).
When I first started a person could get disability (under either Title) if he or she was a alcoholic and/or drug user, if said drug disabled them. That changed in the 1990s: now, if it is determined that alcohol or drug usage is material to your disability, you will not receive benefits.
Then, in the mid 1990s or so, 60 Minutes had a report about the Epstein-Barr Virus and about how it can cause various symptoms. We were overwhelmed with applications for disability by people claiming they had the virus. As it turned out (over several years) some 95 percent of the total population has this virus, and it is not a big deal. After a bit, filings dropped, and now I never see Epstein Barr cited as an impairment.
Ah! But then came Chronic Fatigue Syndrome! Lots of people, it turned out, had that disorder (which some still say is linked to Epstein-Barr). We still get quite a few applications based on CFS, although now it is mainly by those who are alleging some different, primary ailment for disability (diabetes, heart disease, what have you).
This led to Fibromyaligia, which surfaced, I believe, in the early 2000s. If a person is complaining of vague and widespread body aches and pains, with absolutely diagnostic tests revealing nohting at all, then the family doctor will, far too often, diagnose fibromyalgia (technically, a physician is to rule out Depression first). All one has to do is pass the 'trigger point' test (the doctor will press on various joints and ask if you have pain; if you answer yes 18 times, you pass!).
I still review a lot of files in which the person lists fibromyalgia, as well as chronic fatigue. However, for the past three or four years the up-and-coming disease is Bipolar disorder. A rare condition 22 years ago when I started, it is now in some 80 percent of all files that hit my desk. If it is not the primarily impairment alleged by the filer, they will be sure to cite it at some point.
Indeed, here is a common case: Bob will file for disability, claiming to be unable to work due to low back pain. He may also allege diabetes (type II) and hypertension.
Denied on initial determination. Bob files for reconsideration. 60 days later, denied again. So Bob files a request for hearing, and obtains a lawyer or non-lawyer representative.
Oh! Bob has Bipolar disorder now! Why, turns out Bob had it all his life, although he just now went to the local mental health place where he informed the caseworker that he has bipolar disorder, and will cite his 'mood swings'.
I will add that if Bob has a history of alcoholism or drug abuse, he will have become clean and sober by the time he gets to hearing. Nothing like having a hearing before an administrative law judge to get sober!
Social Security disability isn't easy to get so the kid most have qualified and for that they have to see a few doctors that the social security office picks.
How do you think these psychiatrists and psychologists
make their living. They get paid by diagnosing
mostly everyone they see with bipolar/depression/anxiety Of course there are exceptions to the
rule and legitimate cases that makes one truly disabled, but the diagnosing and severity of the condition is often abused simply for a pay check.
he informed the caseworker that he has bipolar disorder, and will cite his 'mood swings'.
I will add that if Bob has a history of alcoholism or drug abuse, he will have become clean and sober by the time he gets to hearing. Nothing like having a hearing before an administrative law judge to get sober!
And after he get's his disability check, he falls off the
wagon and spends his SSI check on booze or drugs,
and the SSI office is not the wiser
If a depressed person is working they are going to feel better than the depressed person who is staying at home & just taking meds by the very fact that they are around others & doing something productive.
Bi-polar is another issue. There are various degrees of it & some who have severe bi-polar disorder cannot function well enough to even take care of themselves without supervision. These people do need help.
How do you think these psychiatrists and psychologists
make their living. They get paid by diagnosing
mostly everyone they see with bipolar/depression/anxiety Of course there are exceptions to the
rule and legitimate cases that makes one truly disabled, but the diagnosing and severity of the condition is often abused simply for a pay check.
My husband has MS and was turned down 3 times. We got a appeal and then got on. He had all the documentation. I really don't know how you can work when most of your body is stiff and doesn't move and you can't even wipe your own butt. It isn't easy to get on SS. I know of other cases very similar to his and it took them years.
Consider yourself lucky because it could happen to you.
And after he get's his disability check, he falls off the
wagon and spends his SSI check on booze or drugs,
and the SSI office is not the wiser
I recall that the outrage over alcoholics getting disability benefits was this: often a representative payee had to be appointed on the alcoholic's behalf. The story came out that in New York State it was allowed for the alcoholic's usual BAR to be the representative payee (i.e., the disability checks were literally mailed to his usual bar). When this story came out on 60 minutes the public went crazy, hence Congress changed the law.
I can speak to this, since my job for the past 22 years involves reviewing claims for disability under both Title II (disability benefits) and Title XVI (supplemental security income benefits).
When I first started a person could get disability (under either Title) if he or she was a alcoholic and/or drug user, if said drug disabled them. That changed in the 1990s: now, if it is determined that alcohol or drug usage is material to your disability, you will not receive benefits.
Then, in the mid 1990s or so, 60 Minutes had a report about the Epstein-Barr Virus and about how it can cause various symptoms. We were overwhelmed with applications for disability by people claiming they had the virus. As it turned out (over several years) some 95 percent of the total population has this virus, and it is not a big deal. After a bit, filings dropped, and now I never see Epstein Barr cited as an impairment.
Ah! But then came Chronic Fatigue Syndrome! Lots of people, it turned out, had that disorder (which some still say is linked to Epstein-Barr). We still get quite a few applications based on CFS, although now it is mainly by those who are alleging some different, primary ailment for disability (diabetes, heart disease, what have you).
This led to Fibromyaligia, which surfaced, I believe, in the early 2000s. If a person is complaining of vague and widespread body aches and pains, with absolutely diagnostic tests revealing nohting at all, then the family doctor will, far too often, diagnose fibromyalgia (technically, a physician is to rule out Depression first). All one has to do is pass the 'trigger point' test (the doctor will press on various joints and ask if you have pain; if you answer yes 18 times, you pass!).
I still review a lot of files in which the person lists fibromyalgia, as well as chronic fatigue. However, for the past three or four years the up-and-coming disease is Bipolar disorder. A rare condition 22 years ago when I started, it is now in some 80 percent of all files that hit my desk. If it is not the primarily impairment alleged by the filer, they will be sure to cite it at some point.
Indeed, here is a common case: Bob will file for disability, claiming to be unable to work due to low back pain. He may also allege diabetes (type II) and hypertension.
Denied on initial determination. Bob files for reconsideration. 60 days later, denied again. So Bob files a request for hearing, and obtains a lawyer or non-lawyer representative.
Oh! Bob has Bipolar disorder now! Why, turns out Bob had it all his life, although he just now went to the local mental health place where he informed the caseworker that he has bipolar disorder, and will cite his 'mood swings'.
I will add that if Bob has a history of alcoholism or drug abuse, he will have become clean and sober by the time he gets to hearing. Nothing like having a hearing before an administrative law judge to get sober!
My husband has MS and was turned down 3 times. We got a appeal and then got on. He had all the documentation. I really don't know how you can work when most of your body is stiff and doesn't move and you can't even wipe your own butt. It isn't easy to get on SS. I know of other cases very similar to his and it took them years.
Consider yourself lucky because it could happen to you.
I'm not saying there are not legitimate cases of SSI disability. I'm talking about the folks that abuse the system. For what reason it takes so long for true physical illnesses e.g. MS, I don't really understand.
Best of luck to you and your family I have a very
dear friend that has MS - it is no picnic.
I'm not saying there are not legitimate cases of SSI disability. I'm talking about the folks that abuse the system. For what reason it takes so long for true physical illnesses e.g. MS, I don't really understand.
Best of luck to you and your family I have a very
dear friend that has MS - it is no picnic.
I agree. We actually have a very good DDS (Disability Determination Services) in our area. They are very good at awarding disability to those whom obviously need it. In the ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review; used to be Office of Hearing and Appeals) we get those whom the DDS turned down, which tends to be those with little medical or credibility to back up their claim.
I will note that since the great recession began the number of people filing disability claims has increased. Indeed, many claimant's are still getting unemployment benefits while they file for disability (we can't technically deny a claim due to the person getting unemployment, although we used to be able to. To get unemployment you must affirm that your are ready, willing and able to work, which is the opposite of claiming disability).
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Of course there are exceptions to the
I have a very
