Social Security Disability Problems In Tennessee

The Nashville Scene has a long article on the state of Social Security disability determination in the state of Tennessee and it is not a pretty picture. A few extracts:

In 2003, the state of Tennessee denied more initial requests for Social Security disability benefits than any other state, according to the most recent numbers from the Social Security Advisory Board, a bipartisan commission appointed by Congress. In fact, statistics indicate Tennessee consistently has one of the lowest allowance rates year after year. ...

Critics say that Tennessee’s examiners have consistently been among the lowest paid in the country, and that the state has one of the highest attrition rates among examiners nationwide, suggesting inexperienced employees and frequent turnover might be to blame for the state’s high rate of rejections. ...

Last year in Tennessee, it took an average of 128 days from the time a claim was received by DDS to the time an examiner made a determination, according to the Social Security Administration. That’s compared to the national average of 87 days. ...

In many ways, Social Security’s disability program is the epitome of bureaucracy. The sheer size, coupled with a complicated process and funding shortfalls, create what many applicants refer to as “a nightmare.” But even its harshest critics admit the system is struggling in part because of limited resources.

A Year In Prison For Social Security Fraud

Teri Lynn Mazonna was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for defrauding Social Security of $148,484 over 14 years, according to the Billings Gazette.

What Kind Of Name Is Astrue?

You really wanted to know, but were too politically correct to ask, but, come on, the Republicans are opposed to political correctness, so why not. Astrue is almost certainly a French name. Jean Astrue (or Astruc as the name is spelled in some sources) was an important French Biblical scholar of the 18th century according to this article from the Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation. Jean Astrue was also physican to the French king.

Empire Justice Center Newsletter

The Empire Justice Center of Rochester, NY has released its Newsletter for September. It is an excellent summary of recent developments in Social Security law.

Free Fillable PDF Social Security Forms

LegisIT has posted online a large number of fillable Social Security forms in PDF format -- and they are free!

More On Astrue's Political Contributions

Newsmeat was kind enough to send me a complete list of Michael Astrue's recent political contributions. What I had posted before was a "filtered" list. I do not know if Newsmeat looks through web posting for references to their service or if someone there is interested in this appointment, but I certainly appreciate their help.

Astrue, Michael J. Mr. Belmont, MA 02478 Epix/CEO	STRAIGHT TALK AMERICA	$1,000 primary	06/15/06
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02478 EPIX PHARMACEUTICALS/INTERIM CEO	HATCH, ORRIN G (R) Senate - UT HATCH ELECTION COMMITTEE INC	$1,000 primary	02/27/06
Astrue, Michael Belmont, MA 02478 EPIX./CEO	MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN STATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE (R)	$5,000 primary	01/18/06
Astrue, Michael Belmont, MA 02478 EPIX./CEO	MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN STATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE (R)	$5,000 primary	08/10/05
Astrue, Michael Belmont, MA 02478 EPIX./CEO	MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN STATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE (R)	$1,000 primary	07/15/03
Astrue, Michael Belmont, MA 02178 Transkaryotic Therapies/Executive	VOLUNTEER PAC	$5,000 primary	06/30/03
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J MR. BELMONT, MA 02478 TRANSKARYOTIC THERAPIES INC./PRESID	BUSH, GEORGE W (R) President BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC	$2,000 primary	06/30/03
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02478 TRANSKARYOTIC THERAPIES	BURR, RICHARD M (R) Senate - NC RICHARD BURR COMMITTEE	$1,000 primary	06/27/03
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178	HATCH, ORRIN G (R) Senate - UT HATCH ELECTION COMMITTEE INC	$500 primary	11/04/02
Astrue, Michael Belmont, MA 02478 TKT/Executive	MCCARTHY, CHARLES J JR (R) House (MA 05) MCCARTHY FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE	$500 primary	09/06/02
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02178 TKT INC	COLLINS, SUSAN M (R) Senate - ME COLLINS FOR SENATOR	$1,000 primary	01/14/02
Astrue, Michael Belmont, MA 02178 Trans. Therapies &Boston Univ./Sr.	PORTMAN, ROBERT J (R) House (OH 02) PORTMAN FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE	$1,000 primary	07/12/01
Astrue, Michael Belmont, MA 02478 Transkaryotic Therapies Inc./Senior	MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN STATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE (R)	$5,000 primary	01/31/01
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02478	MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN STATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE (R)	$5,000 primary	05/04/00
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	FRIST, WILLIAM H (R) Senate - FRIST 2000 INC	$1,000 primary	02/22/00
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	FRIST, WILLIAM H (R) Senate - FRIST 2000 INC	$-500 primary	02/22/00
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	FRIST, WILLIAM H (R) Senate - FRIST 2000 INC	$500 general	02/22/00
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02478 BROYEN INC	BUSH, GEORGE W (R) President BUSH FOR PRESIDENT INC.	$1,000 primary	03/31/99
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02478 BIOGEN	FAIRCLOTH, DUNCAN M (R) Senate - NC FAIRCLOTH FOR SENATE COMMITTEE 2004	$250 primary	01/28/99
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN INC	AMORELLO, MATTHEW J (R) House (MA 03) AMORELLO FOR CONGRESS	$200 general	09/29/98
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	FRIST, WILLIAM H (R) Senate - FRIST 2000 INC	$500 primary	04/10/97
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN INC	WELD, WILLIAM F (R) Senate - MA WELD FOR SENATE INC	$1,000 general	09/27/96
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	BLUTE, PETER I (R) House (MA 03) PETER BLUTE FOR CONGRESS	$250 primary	06/27/96
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN INC	TEAGUE, EDWARD B (R) House (MA 10) TEAGUE FOR CONGRESS	$250 primary	04/24/96
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BROGEN INC	DOLE, ROBERT J (R) President DOLE FOR PRESIDENT INC	$50 primary	11/02/95

Astrue's Policital Contributions In 2005 and 2006

I have found another source, CampaignMoney.com, that lists Michael Astrue's political contributions in 2005 and 2006. He appears to have been a bit more generous to local Republicans lately, but the contributions still seem quite low for someone seeking a political appointment. See below.

		$1,000	02/27/2006	HATCH ELECTION COMMITTEE INC - Republican
		$5,000	01/18/2006	MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN STATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE - Republican
		$5,000	08/10/2005	MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN STATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE - Republican

SSAB Meeting Agenda

The Social Security Advisory Board has finally released the agenda for its meeting this afternoon. After looking at it, you will wonder why I took so long to produce this.

Social Security Advisory Board
Meeting Agenda
Thursday, September 21, 2006

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lisa de Soto, Deputy Commissioner for Disability

Adjudication and Review

The meeting will be held in the Board's conference room, Suite 625

400 Virginia Avenue, SW

Washington, DC