Nov 3, 2009

Isn't PR Great

From what amounts to an ad for Allsup, Inc. that got published in the Salt Lake Tribune:
As the worst recession since the Great Depression appears to be ending, the Social Security Administration grapples with an unprecedented flood of disability applications due to aging baby-boomers and heavy job losses.

Pending claims are expected to jump 70 percent this year, said Dan Allsup, spokesman for Illinois-based Allsup Inc., which represents people applying for disability payments.

"We've seen a tremendous spike in our disability applications," [Social Security spokesperson Mark] Lassiter said, noting that a year ago, 2.6 million claims were forecast and 3 million were filed.
"This year we're expecting 3.3 million," he said. ...

"It's a much more complicated and lengthy process than filing taxes," Allsup said. "And that's a primary reason that SSA denies two-thirds of applications due to poor preparation of the forms."

Even so, Allsup Inc. also rejects two-thirds of those who seek its assistance -- but for different reasons, he said.

"We work on a contingency basis," Allsup said, 25 percent, up to $5,300, of the back payments awarded to applicants. "So for obvious reasons, we won't accept a fraudulent claim or one that we know won't be awarded."

About 98 percent of their accepted clients do ultimately gain government approval, Allsup added.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

We work on a contingency basis," Allsup said, 25 percent, up to $5,300


If this is a recent ad/story then that outdated fee schedule is an example of their competence.

Anonymous said...

The story is from 11/03/09

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm...the state agencies deny 2/3 of applicants, and so does Allsup, and then 98% of Allsup clients are approved. Way to admit to basically stealing people's money, Allsup.

Anonymous said...

I actually find quite offensive the comment that most claims are denied because of poorly completed paperwork. People do not complete their own paperwork. Claims representatives do. If Allsup is alleging that SSA claims reps are negligent and/or incompetent, they should either put up or shut up. What proof do they have? None, of course. But naturally, the negligent and incompetent media buys all this garbage.