Many of us who represent social security disability claimants (both SSD and SSI), including disability lawyers in Portland Oregon, were dismayed by the recent NPR story that portrayed claimants as greedy and unqualified for the benefits they obtained.
Now NPR has acknowledged the firestorm of criticism that followed a show that was incomplete and misleading at best. The national association of social security representatives (NOSSCR), of which I am a member, sent an excellent rebuttal. For NOSSCR’s full statement, go to http://nosscr.org/harmful-allegations-about-social-security-disability-programs-perpetuated-misleading-media-reports.
Here are the highlights:
- Increase in disability rolls? This was an expected trend, predicted as far back as 1994, with two very clear factors: the aging baby boomers entering their high-disability years, and women who entered the workforce in the 1970s and 1980s that are now eligible to draw on their own earnings record when they become disabled.
- Standards for approval? Eight former SSA Commissioners pointed out in a letter that the standard for disability approval is strict; the majority of applicants are not approved. Disability benefits are only a modest asset that helps beneficiaries live with dignity while unable to work.
- Lawyers getting rich? Hardly. Lawyers are regulated under the Social Security law and prevented from collecting any fee for their work unless they win. Even then, a legal fee is limited to 25% of past-due benefits, or $6,000 – whichever is lower. In fact, the system unfortunately discourages lawyers from representing claimants who are hit with overpayments or whose benefits are terminated.
- Social Security benefits contributing to the deficit? Wrong. SSDI is self-financed by payroll taxes (FICA) and SSI dollars come out of taxes raised, therefore not increasing the national debt.
“The Social Security Disability Insurance program is an essential component of our American government system, intended to be a social safety net for American workers unable to perform job functions and support their families. These attacks are blatantly one-sided, untrue and threaten the modest benefits that are needed by so many. “