Misconceptions About SSD Continue

Misconceptions surrounding the Social Security Disability ("SSD") insurance program continue, even among politicians and beneficiaries. SSD is not a welfare program, and is not for "lazy" people who do not want to work. SSD was initiated to protect working American citizens in the event they became sick and unable to work. Unlike welfare, SSD is only available to people who have worked and paid into the program. The money in the SSD program is the money that we have had withheld from our paychecks, to be paid into social security. So when you retire, or become disabled, the money you receive is YOUR money. 

It has become extremely difficult to get approved for SSD, even when you have your doctors' support. The denial rates, and the wait for a hearing, have grown exponentially over the last couple of years. This means that people are forced to live for 2+ years without any income, awaiting a decision on their SSD claim. The obvious question is, why would anyone choose to go through this if they were able to work? Why would they choose to be "lazy" and if approved, collect SSD for a fraction of the money they earned while they were working? The 2018 monthly average SSD benefit people will receive if found disabled is $1197 a month. 

As long as the inaccuracies and misconceptions about the SSD program are maintained, people will continue to believe that their disabled fellow citizens are somehow cheating the system. It is unconscionable and extremely troubling that these erroneous statements are so casually and ignorantly thrown around by our own politicians. Before you are sucked into their lies, and truly believe your friend, your neighbor, or your co-worker is lazy and a liar, stop and get the facts. Until it affects you, or someone you care about, it is easy to believe the rhetoric some politicians are spewing. It is also very easy to judge people when you are not in their position.