John Oliver on the dysfunction of the Social Security Disability Insurance Program.
picture of John Oliver from the Max Website
John Oliver discusses the Social Security Disability Insurance System in this video . He is 100% correct when he describes the system as dysfunctional. It is not just dysfunctional, it is overly complicated and difficult to even access.
Having advocated for my Disabled daughter to first receive and then keep SSI benefits for 29 years, I can add that the system is F**KED.
SSI/SSDI is set up to confuse, frustrate, demoralize and ultimately shut out people who need their help. The goal of SSI/SSDI doesn’t appear to be helping anyone, its to keep people with disabilities from gaining any help they might need. Therefore, it is vital that when you’re applying for SSI/SSDI for yourself or a loved one you don’t give up.
No matter how much red-tape, paperwork and delays they throw at you, do not back down. Fill out every damn form, in triplicate if required and stay on hold when you call them. Don’t hang up. Don’t go away.
Do not quit even when you are denied SSI/SSDI because they don’t believe you are disabled. I know too many people with disabling conditions who have been denied support. My own daughter was denied SSI twice, despite her vision impairment and documented cerebral palsy. The “doctor” contracted by Social Security didn’t believe she was blind.
I appealed again, filled out all of the forms again, and finally got her the financial and medical support she needed.
It took two years.
Watch John Oliver’s video, then help those people who need support getting disability benefits. My daughter had me to fight for her but not everyone has an advocate.
And talk to your congressperson about raising the resource limits to reflect the actual cost of living in this century. Maybe then people in love can get married without losing their medical care.
For more information about SSI/SSDI, go to The National Council on Aging for an explanation on program differences/requirement as well as advice on applying.
