But what hath Bush brung?
Now the system is in much worse shape than before. Americans with disabilities are now often forced to wait over 4 years before being approved for aid. In the meantime, they lose their homes and everything else because they can't work and have no source of income. The average waiting time has doubled since 2000.
Just as bad, they're far less likely to be approved even after the wait than they would have been before. In fact, refusing applicants on the first try is now almost a given - forcing them to appeal their case and take 4 more years. Almost 40% still don't get approved even after that!
This backlog was intentionally engineered by the Bush regime - just because they could. Bush let the situation become so bad that - even with an infusion of funds from the new stimulus package - it's still going to take years to clear the backlog.
This methodical, mean-spirited war on the disabled is something I saw coming even before Bush's 2000 campaign. It was Bush's own party that had already begun gutting the disability system in the '90s. So it's impossible for me to excuse anyone who pleads ignorance in having voted for the evil one in 2000.
(Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iJipinq5JSKTfN5Q_3OlWbY5B48AD979RK085)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
When the government broke the disability system
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You're right. It's extremely difficult for individuals to get through the process. There are a number of options out there for people to get professional help with the application process. I hope you won't mind me mentioning one that I'm associated with, SSC Disability. SSC offers non-attorney certified representation. Payment for this work is standard across the industry, set by the Social Security Administration - a % of backpay, none going forward.
ReplyDeleteWhether your readers chose SSC Disability or another professional representative, either way - I highly recommend they do not go it alone. The risks of being denied are too high due to the long appeal waits you mention above.