Florida Newspaper Reports On Disability Backlogs

From the Daytona Beach News-Journal:

The air conditioner was off, and a cool breeze shot through the front door of Sean Sweeney's mobile home.

The mild weather meant he and his 59-year-old mother might see a slightly lower electric bill this month. She has lung and heart disease and is hooked up to a portable oxygen machine that stays at her side, generating life-sustaining air and a costly energy bill.

But every dollar saved helps.

Sweeney, 35, has no job or income. An early onset, osteoporosis-like bone disease already has resulted in his undergoing two hip-replacement surgeries.

For 2 1/2 years, he has fought to reverse two earlier decisions by the state so he can receive Social Security disability benefits. While his appeal is pending, he can't work -- even if he could endure the pain. Sweeney said he sold the family's house at Wilbur-by-the-Sea in 2005 to cover the cost of his surgery and bought the modest mobile home. Now, it's up for sale to help pay back mortgage, medical and utility bills.