8,830,026: Americans on Disability Hits New Record for 192nd Straight Month

reply to post by Hefficide


They don't want to hear that. They would rather hate their fellow American and think of them as lower than pond scum.

reply to post by TDawgRex


This is the problem I think....too many people use the depression/ anxiety/ stress disorder "card" to secure benefit's and thus it become's easy for people to feel resentful toward's those who have a VERY genuine need for help and support....

Ive witnessed dozens of colleagues who went into the military (Iraq, Afghanistan) who came back and only are being offered generous contracts if they return to duty through contractors who over convoy and such, again in Afghanistan, Syria, and even, (South) Korea... Because lots have families by now I see some are passing on such offers and deciding since they cannot return to civilian life, the only option is to get a doctor to certify they are... DISABLED for life.

And start collecting. As more and more people are doing it, including overweight, sickly, or lazy Americans who simply don't want to work anymore, the only option is to go from doctor to doctor being heavily medicated and eventually landing a doctor who certifies they are disabled. Cascade effect, America?

Originally posted by Logos23
So if there is no system to recognise the debilitating effects of anxiety related disorders on some individuals, then who supports them financially during the long or short term they are unable to support themselves during their quest to get to grips with their condition as your family member did after many year's?

I actually agree, though I think it would be more effective if it were not related to disability at all.

Having a system or organization in place that can help people learn how to deal with their mental issues and still be able to maintain an income is something I fully support. Beyond that, I think such a program would actually help empower such people rather than feed into being at the illnesses beck and call. Disability does more harm than good in these cases, IMO. It feeds into the thinking that these people are weak and disabled, when they are stronger than they realize.

In this specific case, the person was prepared enough to be able to live off of their investments.

Originally posted by Kali74
reply to post by Hefficide

 

They don't want to hear that. They would rather hate their fellow American and think of them as lower than pond scum.

What on earth are you talking about?

Originally posted by tropic
And start collecting. As more and more people are doing it, including overweight, sickly, or lazy Americans who simply don't want to work anymore, the only option is to go from doctor to doctor being heavily medicated and eventually landing a doctor who certifies they are disabled. Cascade effect, America?

Social Security has their own "certified" doctors that make the call as to whether or not someone is disabled. They may make use of imaging, test results, etc that other doctors have done, but just because some random doctor claimed someone as disabled will not allow them to collect SSD.

Originally posted by Serdgiam

Originally posted by Logos23
So if there is no system to recognise the debilitating effects of anxiety related disorders on some individuals, then who supports them financially during the long or short term they are unable to support themselves during their quest to get to grips with their condition as your family member did after many year's?

I actually agree, though I think it would be more effective if it were not related to disability at all.

Having a system or organization in place that can help people learn how to deal with their mental issues and still be able to maintain an income is something I fully support. Beyond that, I think such a program would actually help empower such people rather than feed into being at the illnesses beck and call. Disability does more harm than good in these cases, IMO. It feeds into the thinking that these people are weak and disabled, when they are stronger than they realize.

In this specific case, the person was prepared enough to be able to live off of their investments.

This is something we can agree on.....

I have had many many battle's and have found myself ripping my hair out at the total lack of support in place for those who suffer from the condition's we have been discussing. Not just on the issue of work, but in day to day living and management of symptom's as a whole....the whole issue of mental health for many can become a hopeless situation, which then magnifies their condition.
But while so many people experience lack of the right kind of help and support needed to function, unfortunately I feel the safety net of disability benefit's is needed.

Interesting read going through this thread, it seems as though
most look at disability as a hand out.

I started work when i was 12 years old, and have worked ever
since, some times 2 and 3 jobs, i could not begin to imagine exactly
how much has come out of my check over the years and gone into
disability.
Last year i became ill, terminally ill in many aspects. I was told by my
specialist to quit work and apply for disability that day, which i did..
almost a year later i was approved, even though my condition is one of the
top 5 listed on the website for qualifications and i had 4 doctors with many
test results showing my condition.

It is not as easy to get as many think, nor dose it pay as much as many think.

But i do NOT see disability as a hand out, i paid into the system for many years
to cover the off chance that one day things would go wrong. sadly they did.
What i do get in medical help and monthly to live on, i earned, no one is giving me
out of their kindness. You pay into the system to cover the chance that if you get sick
you have something to cover you.

Now that being said, i do know many that abuse the system. I know of 2 people that
are getting it because they are 'to fat'. hmmm how about starve for a while and i
guarantee you will loose weight, no food to go in, pounds will come off.

I know of a guy who was approved because he was a drunk. which i fully disagree with.
Being irresponsible and getting drunk all the time should not be a qualification.
If you cant work because of booze maybe you dont need the govt giving money to you
to buy more.

i also know of a person who is trying to get fat so they qualify for disability and not work.

There are many that abuse the system, i do agree.

reply to post by Logos23


I do understand, and it cant be easy in your position. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle.

Just realize that there are only so many "safety nets" to go around. Because they have essentially been used up, I have lost everything just to be able to figure out what is wrong.

At this point, that safety net might literally save my life, but I do not have one. My family and I are starting to hit the wall as far as resources go, and I have to spend the money on needs like food. I have very little money to be able to continue treatment and tests, and because of this, there is a good chance that I will lose my life to my metabolic bone disorder.

Its not the most comforting prospect, and perhaps it will help you understand my frustration a little better. To be clear, I am not blaming you AT ALL (in fact, I blame the government), but for some of us that safety net wouldnt just be comforting it may very well save our lives in the most literal of ways.

Is obesity considered a disability in the US? Is there a site that breaks down what people are on disability for? This seems like a really high number...

Originally posted by tropic
Ive witnessed dozens of colleagues who went into the military (Iraq, Afghanistan) who came back and only are being offered generous contracts if they return to duty through contractors who over convoy and such, again in Afghanistan, Syria, and even, (South) Korea... Because lots have families by now I see some are passing on such offers and deciding since they cannot return to civilian life, the only option is to get a doctor to certify they are... DISABLED for life.

And start collecting. As more and more people are doing it, including overweight, sickly, or lazy Americans who simply don't want to work anymore, the only option is to go from doctor to doctor being heavily medicated and eventually landing a doctor who certifies they are disabled. Cascade effect, America?

Agreed. You can blame the politicians all you want...but how many people actually look at their own life under the microscope and try to find ways to help their country out? The only way I would take disability is if I lost my arms and legs, or another similar life altering event.

reply to post by Serdgiam


I felt at this point I should make clear that when I talk of my "experiences" with mental health I am talking about being a carer for my daughter at present and prior to this being a carer for another family member for a number of year's and in both cases for PTSD and anxiety disorders.

I live in the UK where people don't have to pay for test's and medical treatment ...and whilst I have many frustration's around the current mental health support and service's available where I live in England, as a whole I am very proud and supportive of our healthcare system....I say this because I can't imagine being in a situation where one as to chose between putting food on the table or paying for necessary medical treatment and tests! In view of this I totally sympathise with the frustrations you have.....

My daughter is a child...I have fought hard for the recognition of how debilitating her condition is so that I can secure certain benefit's that allows me not to worry about the financial impact of having to stay at home to care for her and provide for her need's.

I sincerely hope you and your family see better day's and that you find a solution to meet your medical needs...

reply to post by severdsoul

it seems as though
most look at disability as a hand out.

I didn't get that impression, I have a niece with CP that is in a wheel chair and works but does receive aid also.

I don't begrudge anyone that needs help, the help they deserve.

I also have a diabetic daughter, type one, that I wish the government would help out, as far as I am concerned a type one diabetic is disabled, but they don't get any assistance what-so-ever until it is to late and their health has deteriorated.

I am talking about people that scam the system, and they do exist.

Originally posted by Stormdancer777


And there are a lot of older people that can't afford to retire, my husband said he will have to work till he dies, and knowing him he will, he is a 63 year old carpenter.

It's a rough world. There isn't much else that can be said is there? We all do what we have to.

As for the subject matter (and unrelated to you).
Frankly, I am unconcerned with a few leeches when certain men in this country have grafted trillions. It's like getting angry at a gnat while you are being desanguinated by a vampire. There is a more pressing problem, but getting caught up in the class warfare does seem to alleviate some stress for us poor peons so I won't begrudge those who do it.

Population growth?

Folks living longer?

Or how about just good old fashioned economic crisis?

During the recession, disabled workers were hit five times as hard as other workers when it came to losing their jobs. People with disabilities have also had more trouble finding new jobs during the recovery.

www.pbs.org...

FIVE times as likely to lose thier jobs and a whole lot harder a time getting hired than the average American....and the average American has had a pretty effen tough go of it.

But go ahead and add the Handicaped to the Right Wings growing list of folk they direct thier vitriol at...

Minorities? Poor People? Gays? Hurricaine victims? Old people? Cops, teachers, fireman, Women and now the handicapped?...

Keep at it and see what is left...in a few years there will be just a few sad anchors left on fox news...

reply to post by Stormdancer777


I have to agree there, if i had got help sooner i would not be facing
my own mortality in the not so distant future.

The system is messed up in many ways, that is one Major way.
It seems as though they dont look at preventative but rather just
concentrate on the end result, if they would spend more in the beginning,
it's quite possible many including my self would have a different outcome and
be back to work and productive.

Originally posted by Logos23
reply to post by Serdgiam

 

I felt at this point I should make clear that when I talk of my "experiences" with mental health I am talking about being a carer for my daughter at present and prior to this being a carer for another family member for a number of year's and in both cases for PTSD and anxiety disorders.

I live in the UK where people don't have to pay for test's and medical treatment ...and whilst I have many frustration's around the current mental health support and service's available where I live in England, as a whole I am very proud and supportive of our healthcare system....I say this because I can't imagine being in a situation where one as to chose between putting food on the table or paying for necessary medical treatment and tests! In view of this I totally sympathise with the frustrations you have.....

My daughter is a child...I have fought hard for the recognition of how debilitating her condition is so that I can secure certain benefit's that allows me not to worry about the financial impact of having to stay at home to care for her and provide for her need's.

I have always thought that healthcare should be a major priority for our government. It seems that the healthier a society is, the more they can advance and contribute back. That would mean its in the best interests of the governing body for its people to be healthy. However, that is not directly profitable to corporations such as Pharmaceutical companies. Even though it would lead to a better quality of life for everyone, even including those CEOs, its the direct profit that seems to matter. Sad state of affairs on that one..

I sincerely hope you and your family see better day's and that you find a solution to meet your medical needs...

Thank you very much At this point, it is looking pretty bad so I am just making the most of it I am taking a drug that helps build my bones, and it appears to be working. However, the cause of the bone fragility is still a mystery and I can only take this drug for 24 months maximum. Its main side effect is osteosarcoma.. My biggest thing is how much I know it will hurt those who love me. I do not fear death, but I do fear for their pain. Its pretty heartbreaking to me. Debt collectors are calling every day, and there is little hope of actually getting disability after four years now.

While being on disability wouldnt guarantee any sort of diagnosis, it would guarantee that I could afford to explore it and fight it until the end. Oh well. I suppose we all have to go sometime, eh?

All the best to you, and despite how it may have appeared, you have my respect!

Originally posted by neo96
The average disability check is $1100 a month multiply that by 8,830,036 works out to be $ around $9.2 billion dollars every month multiply that by 12 months $116 billion dollas a year.

That is a big problem depression, and anexity qualifiers for disability? MEH

Anyone able to work should be there are those who simply can't someone sitting there telling me near 10 million a people are on disability there is something rotten in denmark.

Same way when people tell me 40 million are on welfare.

Question I have, where are these people going to get the jobs? How many are currently unemployed? Add the 8.8m to that, are there tha many jobs in America needing to be filled?

If not, what do we do with the "surplus"?

I'm no way condoning the folks on the gov't roll or attacking them, just asking a question... where will everyone find the jobs?

Derek

Originally posted by Asktheanimals
Once they decided that depression was genuinely a disability everyone that didn't want to work ran down to their local Social security office and applied. I know people who did exactly that - perfectly capable of working but decided they'd prefer to live the good life on the taxpayer dime. Talk about unsustainable.

Ya know, I agree, but the joke is on them. I am hit up for cigarettes and quarters on a daily basis by non-workers. I'm not talking about people that have been unemployed for a while. These people have probably never worked a day in their lives (not at a real job anyway), and they are a mess. Even the ones getting a government check (and think they've won the lottery) have lost all sense of order in their lives. They stop watching the news, stop learning anything, and slip into their own little, meaningless, shallow worlds.

Man, everyday I ache all over from working, but if I didn't work my life would be all about sleep and watching the boobtube all day. No thanks!

Now I work and spend all of my off-time here! Hmmmm, might have to rethink that.

reply to post by Viesczy


It is a good question, one which most people have no answer to. Even the safe routes are no longer certain these days. I know many people who got the safe degrees or went into the "safe" trades who find themselves unemployed. Hell, i remember one man bragging to me years ago about how he was going to make six figures with his engineering degree and now he struggles to find work as he is undercut by foreign workers on H1B visas who will take far less. It's only going to get worse as technology gets better as it's far easier and cheaper to just automate something than pay a human to do it. What do you do with all those unemployed people?