OT-Boston Globe, the Other Welfare

[Mass]

Sometimes, when I get tired of the bickering on all sides on blogs and newspapers, I read articles about what happens in the real world. This article, as well as a recent column by Peter Orzag (yes, his move to Citigroup is certainly not good, but frankly, it is the system that is wrong, if most papers and columnists, and most political leaders do not see what is wrong there) about disability, raise more questions than they answer.

http://www.boston.com/news/health/specials/New_Welfare/

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/opinion/10orszag.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

What is clear is that the system needs reform? What is also clear is that series like the Globe article (and Orzag column) will just get us more "welfare queen" cries rather than a true rethinking of the system in a progressive way. And, eventually, what was a needed reform will turn out to be a catastrophe for those who need it (whether because disabled or because you cant raise a kid with two minimum wage salary or not).

Very distressing, but at least these editorials talk about the real world, not some imaginary land where up is down and right is wrong, when Ensign is a brave man and Barbara Boxer a corporate whore.

[wisteria]

1. My middle daughter, is on SSI and she also works at a workshop three days a week.

I never even considered filing for benefits for her until she had graduated from high school and it was apparent she would never be able to earn a living on her own. I believe she would never be offered a position in mainstream America and if not for the workshop, she would sit at home day after day in front of her computer games,her computer or the TV. She looks forward to working and wants to work four days a week, which we are looking into now. The SSI benefit is adjusted according to her monthly earnings. My point is this, when I first attempted to get her benefits, I was asked why I didn't get them for her when she was a lot younger-the system makes it easier to get them at a younger age because it is assumed adults who apply have serious work related or other recently acquired disabilities and it is a lot more difficult to get approval.It took us nearly two years and the help of two lawyers to finally get her approved.But, if I had applied on her behalf when she was a toddler (she has had disabilities since she was born), the entire process would have been easier and faster. Children could apply if a parent died, they had any slight disability such as poor motor skills, speech problems, Attention Deficit Disorder, or behavioral issues. My daughter is 27 years old and the SSI for children has been run like this since she was a baby. I know of people who have had instructors and teachers tell them to apply for benefits for their children, and I have a nephew who had ADDH as a child and received benefits along with medication that did not really benefit him. He is now 20 years old, has quite school, can't hold a job and is involved in some dealings that I don't like in order to make some extra money-that SS can't track. There is nothing wrong with him except his big ego and laziness.

So, yes, I believe the system needs a good overhaul. It should be available for those who truly need it, and for certain disorders, and medical situations, there should reevaluations.

[Mass]

3. Thanks wisteria

[Mass]

2. Murky path to SSI’s fixes

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/12/16/murky_path_to_ssis_fixes/

It’s clear a lot should be fixed here. At the very least, the SSA needs the resources to monitor the $10 billion it gives out each year. And benefits should be more closely tied to needs a disability creates: Having a child who is quadriplegic makes it far more difficult for a parent to earn a living than having one with speech delay, for example.

But I’ve spoken to people this week who worry this will lead to a backlash against all 1.2 million children receiving SSI.

There will be a temptation in Congress to dump these families. The same people who fell over themselves trying to protect millionaires’ tax cuts will huff and puff and try to blow the house down, in the name of reducing waste and cutting the deficit, of course.

If they do, they’ll be dumping babies with bathwater.

Hundreds of thousands of families whose children have cerebral palsy or schizophrenia would not survive without the help SSI provides. Some parents might be scamming the system. But their children didn’t ask to be born into indigent families. We have to find a way to fix this without abandoning those children; otherwise it will cost us far more dearly down the line.

[wisteria]

4. The need should be measured more closely. I also fear what Congress might do in the guise of cutting

waste. The disabled and their families have a tough enough time just trying to live as normal of a life as possible. When Democrats are in office,services improve, but when Republicans take over one of first places they look to cut benefits to are people with disabilities and their families. Oh, they do this quietly, through budget cuts, but the results are always heartbreaking.