What are your thoughts about the record number of people [14+ million] who are 'disabled' and no longer work?

2015-10-01T00:27:23-04:00

"A record number of Americans — nearly 11 million — pocketed Social Security disability benefits last month, according to newly released [2014] government data.
The figure exceeds the total population of Greece, according to CNSNews.com, which first reported the statistic Tuesday.
April’s total of 10,996,447 beneficiaries comprised 8,942,232 disabled workers, 153,475 of their spouses and 1,900,740 of their children.
The average monthly payment was $995.23, according to the Social Security Web site. The money comes from the Disability Insurance Trust Fund, which began paying benefits in 1957 to disabled workers and their dependents.
It’s financed by federal payroll taxes that drain 12.4 percent of the first $117,000 a year earned by working Americans."
http://nypost.com/2014/05/21/record-breaking-11m-receive-social-security-disability-benefits/

In August, 2015 the number of people under 65 receiving disability benefits was 14,243,000. http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/

http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/

Unfit for Work: The startling rise of disability in America

In the past three decades, the number of Americans who are on disability has skyrocketed. The rise has come even as medical advances have allowed many more people to remain on the job and new laws have banned workplace discrimination against the disabled. Every month, 14 million people now get a disability check from the federal government.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 1 at 2015 12:48 AM

2015-10-01T00:48:29-04:00

Many unemployed have become "disabled" in order to live.

Response by SGT Mark Stevens made Oct 1 at 2015 1:58 AM

2015-10-01T01:58:51-04:00

How many of these people are Veterans waiting for the VA to adjudicate their initial claim or appeal?

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Oct 1 at 2015 2:04 AM

2015-10-01T02:04:57-04:00

I have seen numerous people on disability and I've seen them do things I find hard to do myself. I'd say at least a 1/3 of them or more are fakes and we foot the bill. There needs to be a better screening process. I think it was Ross Perot who said if you can breath you can work. I know that is a little more bold than needed but many could work.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 1 at 2015 2:11 AM

2015-10-01T02:11:34-04:00

We have an entitlement society where hard work is a thing if the past

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 5:31 AM

2015-10-01T05:31:56-04:00

I think this boils down to laziness and the age of entitlement. Some people need it( born with mental/physical disability, acquired a real life disabling injury) 85% do not. How are there so many 21-30 year olds with such sever back pains and sore butt cheeks, that they require government assistance.. my back hurts too, it's called being a damn adult.

Response by James Zander made Sep 5 at 2019 4:55 PM

2019-09-05T16:55:15-04:00

Talk to texting. I hate the new me. (5.5+ yrs post injuries)...but have learned to accept it.

Only so much, at only so much pace, never truly realizing if you already robbed from ur ability levels tomorrow. My sypmtom also react like a muscular version of DOMS. Eventually, it really catches up. I try to be productive each day, fight muscle entropy, and know that when my symptoms levels allow me to slowly fade into rest...I did not waste the opportunity that I had that day...above the dirt.

Regarding SSD applicants:
I only applied because too many of my therapists would not stop chiding me because they knew what had become of me since my injuries, but my pride would not allow me to show such an outward physical sign that I could not succeed no matter how hard I tried at things. In essence, asking for help.
At my hearing, after my 20m meeting...
I sat in the building's large lobby, resting up, in the corner, for about 5-6?hrs, with one eyelid barely open to view lobby and entrance double doors. It was sorrowful, yet somewhat irritating to see how many people were approaching the double glass doors, but then suddenly changed their physical mannerisms as they went through those doors. I would be ever grateful to be in some of those situations.

I am not proud of blatently failing my multiple days of functional capacity testing. I am proud that I pushed so hard...to the point of physically collapsing, certain tests being stopped by the tester (because my tester preferred compassion over more suffering), and needing almost 10 days to recover from such testing. Digging deeper than I ever thought I could...but still failing. Then stuck in a system...log jammed by unworthy applications.

Until then, I adapt. I work from home when health allows me too...properly.

Never give up. Never give in.