Michael Hiltzik at the Los Angeles Times reports on the recent study by two Social Security economists showing that the 94% of the recent growth in the number of Social Security disability claims can be attributed to demographic factors. I had posted about this study on November 20.
Solution- abolish the GRID rules.
ReplyDeleteI get the theory behind the GRID rules, but they really do result in a large number of definitely-able-to-work folks getting paid... Several of our ALJs have a habit of issuing snarky decision in those cases. "The claimant can do this, that, the other, and build skyscrapers on the weekend; however, pursuant to Medical-Vocational Rule 123..."
ReplyDeletePeople who are unqualified in medicine will say that people who get SSDI/SSI are able bodied without any proof, when they really do not know what they are talking about, but then unqualified people are essentially LIARS when they say such things without proof and being qualified to be an authority on the subject and amounts to little more than petty jealousy and ignorance...
ReplyDeleteif by "demographics" you mean a lack of education, then I agree that the growth in disability claims is related to demographics.
ReplyDeleteToo many uneducated people who are waiting for a good factory job (that mostly don't exist or require actual education).
"94% of the recent growth [in disability claims] attributed to demographic factors" This is absurd. The recent spike in disability claims (which is now rapidly declining) was entirely, and indisputably attributable to the spike in unemployment. Ask SSA's actuaries. While it is true that certain demographic categories, at first affected by a negative economy, will, of course, be more pre-disposed than others to turn to programs like SSA dib for assistance in trying economic times, but that does not mean that their demographic characteristics are what at first motivated them to seek SSA dib.
ReplyDelete@ 9:47
ReplyDeletenumbers geek here--any particular SSA actuary reports/etc. you can point us to on this (not being facetious/rude/etc., genuinely curious)