At The End Of Her Rope

 From The Herald in Rock Hill, SC:

The only way Ora Williams can keep her front door closed is with a rope. A rope, just like the one this woman who just turned 62 says she is almost at the end of.

After a lifetime of work in factories, Williams says she is now physically unable to work - although the government says she can work, doing something, and has denied her application for disability payments.

That's why Williams is dead broke. A year ago this week was her last day on the job. She has spent all she had saved in her life to survive.

And some politicians want an even longer wait for disability payments for people such as Williams, along with a push to change Medicare eligibility that Williams knows is her only chance at medical care when she turns 65. ...

Last year after an aneurysm behind her left eye caused her to be unable to keep her balance - and therefore work doing the only thing she has done for 22 years, making air filters - Williams had to leave the factory.

She also has "sugar diabetes" and high blood pressure.

"I can't walk far," she said. "I can't keep my balance to work." ...

A spokesman for the Social Security regional office in Atlanta, Frank Viera, said the government does not discuss specific cases so he could not say specifically why Williams was denied disability benefits. ...

Viera said Tuesday after he was contacted by The Herald about Williams' situation that a field worker would contact Williams about her claim status. The disability claim remains pending, but Williams was able to arrange her Social Security retirement benefits.

"I was told I will get a check," Williams said. "They calculated I will receive $891 each month. Great news."