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The Myth of Widespread Social Security Disabilty Fraud

We have all heard them – those friends or relatives who claim they know someone who is collecting disability who shouldn’t be.  Why do we pay our taxes for those freeloaders, the argument goes.

I always like to ask those that complain about social security fraud if they have reported the suspected fraudster to the authorities.  The answer is always no.

While there is little doubt that there is fraud in the disability system, there is NO evidence that this fraud is rampant.

Here are some facts that cannot be ignored or discounted:

It is not easy to get approved for social security disability.  The vast majority of people who apply are denied.  Approximately 65 percent of applicants are denied at the initial level, and about 85 percent of applicants are denied on reconsideration.  Of those that appeal to the hearing level in front of a judge, about 50 percent are approved.

Many reasons exist for denying applicants.  Claimants can be denied because they haven’t worked enough to qualify for SSDI.  To qualify a claimant must have worked for five out of the last ten years prior to application and paid into the social security system while doing so.  Others are denied for medical reasons.  To get approved, the claimant must have a physical or mental disablitiy that is severe and is expected to last at least 12 months.

The social security administration requires solid medical documentation in making its determination of phisyical or mental disability.  If a claimant is not treating with a valid medical provider such as an M.D.. it is very unlikely the claimant will be approved.  It is not easy to “pretend” you are disabled. Usually when a claimant is disabled, ongoing and lengthy treatment with a specialist is a given.  A record lacking such evidence is frowned upon by the Social Security Administration.

The statistics show that people who apply for disabiltiy have much higher death rates than the general population.  It is pretty difficulty to fake ones death.  People on disability are up to six times more likely to die than people in their age group who don’t receive benefits.

The solution is not gut the system of much needed funding, but rather to detect and frett out fraud when it occurs.  The social security disability system is a lifesaver, and you can be assured that the vast, vast majority of those receiving benefts are legitamately disabled.

For more information see:  The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report on the disability system.  https://www.cbpp.org/research/chart-book-social-security-disability-insurance

 

By Michael J. Cerniglia

Social Security Disabiltiy Attorney

Hoglund Law Firm

Written by Hoglund Law

The attorneys of Hoglund law are licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio. Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC is based in Roseville, Minnesota. In addition to handling cases involving bankruptcy & social security, Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC handles faulty drugs and toxic exposure.

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Reopening a prior Disability Claim

Often, Social Security Disability claimants have previously applied for benefits, unsuccessfully. In these situations, it is always a question as to whether the previous application can be reopened in a current claim. Many factors are involved in answering this question. Generally speaking, however, it must be said that reopening a final decision from an administrative law judge is an unlikely occurrence, as great weight is given to previous decisions absent clear evidence that the decision was incorrect. Often claimants continue to allege that they have been disabled since their previous application, which then presents the possibility of reopening that claim.

First, the current application must allege an onset date that involves the previous application period, otherwise there is no need to examine the previous application, as it is not at issue in the case unless the argument is made

Second, a prior claim must be related to the current claim. This means that a previous application for schizophrenia cannot be reopened in a claim alleging only degenerative disc disease. In other words, the conditions alleged in the previous application must be involved in the present application.

Third, the age of the claim is relevant. If the previous claim is less than a year old, either a Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) claim or a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim may be reopened at will by the Social Security Administration. If the claim is more than a year old, Social Security may reopen an SSI claim that is two years old or less if there is good cause. For DIB claims, any claim four years old or less may be reopened for good cause. “Good cause” generally means new evidence is available or that an egregious error occurred.

While reopening previous claims is possible, it generally is not likely. Consult with your Social Security Disability Attorney to determine if it is wise to attempt to reopen a previous claim.

 

By Adam Kachelski

Can My Doctor Help Me Get My Social Security Disability Benefits?

Q & A with 20+ year Social Security Disability Attorney Andrew Kinney

Q: Can my doctor help me get my Social Security Disability benefits?
A: Yes! But perhaps not in the ways you would expect. I’ll explain.

In our law practice, we purposely do not interact with treating physicians. Our clients make their own health care choices. Our clients go to doctors because they want to get better, or at least improve their quality of life. We explain the law.
The Social Security Disability program is all about the medical evidence. Forget what you hear on TV. Talk is cheap. Regular medical treatment is important. Just as important, though, is developing a treating relationship with certain medical doctors you know and trust. When you treat properly with physicians you know and trust, you create a bread trail of your problems.

This is where your physicians can help you further. Right after your next appointment, ask the doctor who knows you best these things:

1. “Doctor, can you please make sure you document my problems well?”
2. “Doctor, can you please make sure your treatment notes are clear about how I am limited?”
3. “Doctor, I had to apply for Social Security benefits. Would you mind if my attorney sends you a short form to fill out about my limitations?”

It is vitally important that your medical treatment notes document your ongoing medical problems. Attorney forms track Social Security law. While it is unusual for physicians to object to an honest, straightforward approach to your medical care, it can happen. Some physician practices, including the VA, try to avoid “forms,” but they complete them for insurance daily. Some physicians say that they cannot “decide disability,” but they are not. They are simply determining physical and mental limitations for their patients—something they lay out for working patients with injuries all the time. Finally, some physicians think their patients over 50 can still do “desk work.” That is fine. Depending on your past kind of work you can no longer do, the law can still be on your side. Ask an experienced attorney in this area of law.

Your medical providers are trying to make you better. Keep trying to get better, and document the truth about your medical problems. Your Social Security attorney will argue the rest.

Andrew Kinney, Esq., 12/1/15

What Does it Really Mean to be Approved for Social Security Disability Benefits?

Q & A with 20+ year Social Security Disability Attorney Andrew Kinney

Q: What does it really mean to be approved for Social Security Disability benefits?

A: The media and some political leadership would have us believe that people are clamoring to live off government benefits. While there are freeloaders in all sectors (including the two above-mentioned groups), I want to offer you a more accurate portrait from someone who has sat with thousands of disabled people.

Almost all the people our law offices has represented for Social Security benefits (upwards of 50,000 at last count) would rather work. For many, applying for benefits is a failure. A failure to themselves, their families, and a failure in life. To even apply for benefits can a miserable recognition that everything they hoped for and dreamed to do is gone. Not such a pretty picture so far, now, is it?

Social Security Disability benefits do not nearly pay as well as working. And Social Security’s failure to hire sufficient numbers of judges has caused clients to lose their homes, families, everything—including dignity. Some tell me they must accept welfare, having vowed to never do so in their “working” lives. Personal philosophy doesn’t do a damn to heal their wounds or pay their bills.

The real way to understand what I have described above is to sit and talk with some of those who are applying. Perhaps sift through a few hundred pages of their medical records. And really listen before coming to conclusions. With any experience, you will recognize that disabled people are not statistics in government publications, they are not props in committee meetings with prepared minutes. These are real people who need benefits for very real reasons despite working very hard with doctors to get better. They aren’t freeloaders.

Go ahead. Call your disabled neighbor, close friend, family member, or (God forbid someday) yourself a freeloader. See how far that gets you. Then, take actual time to understand the people who rely on the disability program. Many, many people are in real need.
Listen to me here. When you truly understand real suffering, you know it doesn’t lie.

Andrew Kinney, Esq., 11/30/15

Fixing Overlapping Payments

Legislation to extend unemployment benefits stalls in the United States Senate. The original plan passed by House Republicans and Democrats made its way to the Senate with optimism that it would be passed as outlined. However, Majority Leader Harry Reid proposed changes to the legislation that House Republicans, at this time, do not support. The original legislation extended unemployment benefits for an additional three months and were fully paid for. Under the latest Democratic initiative, unemployment benefits would be extended ten months and most of the $18 billion cost would have been offset by extending automatic spending cuts, known as “sequestration.” Another vote on this issue is expected next week.

This battle comes amidst recent legislation introduced in June 2013 aiming to reduce overlapping benefits and protect the integrity of the Social Security Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance programs. United States Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the Reducing Overlapping Payments Act on June 6, 2013. The bill requires the Social Security Administration to suspend Disability Insurance benefits during any month in which a recipient also collects Unemployment Insurance benefits. The bill also ensures the Social Security Administration has the necessary information to identify overlapping payments.  According to the Government Accountability Office, in fiscal year 2010 over 117,000 individuals received more than $850 million in overlapping payments.

The Social Security Disability Insurance and Unemployment Benefits Double Dip Elimination Act of 2013 (H.R. 1502) has not had any movement since its introduction.

Written by Hoglund Law

The attorneys of Hoglund law are licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio. Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC is based in Roseville, Minnesota. In addition to handling cases involving bankruptcy & social security, Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC handles faulty drugs and toxic exposure.

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Are You Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?

Have you found yourself questioning whether or not you are eligible for social security disability benefits?  There are a couple of things you can look at on your own to figure out whether you should apply for such benefits.  One of the biggest things to look at is how your disabling condition affects your working abilities.  If your condition is preventing you from working for a full year or it prevents you from making $1,040 per month you may want to consider applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  On top of that, you should apply if you are struggling for over a year at work to perform simple everyday activities, such as walking or standing, due to your disability.  You may also want to look at your past experiences at work; look at how your work abilities have been affected by your disabling condition.  Are there things you could do before that you can no longer do now? If the answer to that question is yes, you could be eligible.  However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will look into whether or not you have a capability of doing any other type of work.  For example, let’s say you have worked all your life at a job that requires you to stand. Recently, though, you suffer from a condition that prevents you from standing for long periods of time; the SSA will try to determine whether or not you could perform well at a job where you are sitting for most of the day.  If you are capable of doing different types of jobs you will not be found eligible for SSI.  However, if you are incapable of performing at your job and at other jobs with different types of work you could be found eligible.

Aside from looking at how your medical condition affects your abilities at work, you can look at a list of impairments provided by the SSA to determine if you are disabled and eligible for benefits.  The following link will bring you to a site that lists off the impairments that are thought of as so severe they prevent an individual from performing at work environments.  If your medical condition falls under any of these impairments, you may automatically be found eligible for social security benefits and SSI by the Social Security Administration.

These were just a few ways you can go about determining on your own whether or not you should apply for social security disability.  Keep in mind these are not for sure ways to determine whether or not you will receive SSI, but rather are just mere stepping stones in to determining whether you should apply or not.

Written by Hoglund Law

The attorneys of Hoglund law are licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio. Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC is based in Roseville, Minnesota. In addition to handling cases involving bankruptcy & social security, Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik, PLLC handles faulty drugs and toxic exposure.

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