Rant alert!!! The newest in my disability saga, if you're interested.
By mentalward
@mentalward (14690)
United States
December 3, 2009 2:41pm CST
Okay. I was ASSURED that my arrears check for disability, which I was approved for way back in August (yes, I said August, 4 months ago), would be here NO LATER than today. Well, guess what?
Yeah, you guessed right. No check. Yesterday, I called the man who I've been speaking with for a month now. He was in an all-day meeting. I left a message. He did not return my call. So, I waited for the mail today. No check. I don't want to tell you how fast it took me to drive from the mailbox to my house (it's pretty far away... about 100 yards and I can't walk that far).
I was so angry! So, I called them back and spoke to this man's supervisor. She had him call me. (He called just before I started writing this paragraph.) He said he would put in for a "critical payment" of a lesser amount that should be in my bank no later than 3 days from tomorrow. I honestly doubt it'll be there.
I just sat there and had a good cry. I'm not a crier, not normally. I thought all my tears had run out from all the crying I've done all my life from all the crap I've had to deal with but I was a veritable gusher today. At least I feel a little better.
I had a primal scream in my car yesterday, after seeing no check in the mailbox. I had another one in my car today. (I couldn't do it in the house because it would freak my poor little dogs out something awful.)
If you knew me, you'd know that I'm just about the most laid back person you'll find anywhere, under most circumstances. It takes a lot to get my blood boiling and even more to get me crying. But, this disability case of mine, this OVER SEVEN YEAR LONG disability case of mine, has turned me into a blubbering mess. If that's what they were waiting for, they've succeeded.
I've heard all the lies, one after another. ("Oh, it'll come by next month", then "No more than 2 weeks", then "Another 10 to 15 days", etc. etc. etc.) I was approved four friggin months ago! I don't believe a single word they tell me anymore.
I love the great people in this country but I totally despise our government! Bills are overdue, doctors and testing facilities are suing me, my credit is totally shot, Christmas just isn't going to happen this year, but I'm still getting the lies! THEY won't stop coming on time!
Do you think I ought to sue them? Do you think they should pay me interest for holding on to my money for so long? I mean, they'd tack on interest AND penalties if I owed the government money, even a penny. Turn about is fair play, right?
5 people like this
11 responses
@Bellerophon (539)
• United States
3 Dec 09
I think it would be quite hard to sue the social security admin. You say you were approved, if so you got an "award letter" in the mail correct? Who is this man you speak of? Is he from the SSA office? If I was you I would call the SSA directly and make sure you have your award letter. I had to fight for a year for my SSD, but it was so long ago I dont remember how long it took to start seeing the checks. Plus if you have a bank account you should get direct deposit.
2 people like this
@Bellerophon (539)
• United States
4 Dec 09
Wow, Im so sorry to hear this, one thing good tho is SSD is retro from the time you first applied, did the letter say how much your getting? If so take that amount x by 12 and x by 7 years. Hmmmmmm. Could be why they are taking there time. Did you go through a lawyer? If not get one but try to find one probono.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
3 Dec 09
Marti you've gone about this last bit all wrong in my view. You waited until the day the cheque was promised, you'd have been better phoning a week ago to make sure someone was dealing with it, then badgering them every day to check that they had posted it. You know they are always going to let you down so you need to start pre-empting them. Is there anyway you could go in and sit prominently in their offices. I wouldn't bother suing any government department, believe me it would take twice as long as your actual claim and they've got much more money to deal with seeing you off. You've certainly got every right to ask for the lost interest though.
This is indeed becoming a sorry saga and I missed the first 7 years of it. Don't despair, just be less trusting as its obvious they don't do what they say, and like I suggest, make a nuisance of yourself in some way to make sure they get so fed up of you that they actually send the money. No more crying now.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
3 Dec 09
I've actually been calling them, Thea. I've called so much that the man I've been speaking with doesn't even need my Social Security number anymore to pull up my case on his computer! I started about a month ago. Two weeks ago, I started calling almost every day.
I'll admit, though, that initially I took them at their word. I was patient and waited the length of time they told me to wait. As this case progressed, I've been less and less patient. You should see the pile of letters I've sent to Social Security, our senator and our congressman!
The "money" (the order to issue my check) is in Pennsyvlania right now, about 180 miles from where I live. It would be rather difficult to drive there to park myself somewhere and make enough noise until they took notice. I've thought about it, though. Believe me, I have!
I can now understand why every Social Security office, no matter how small, has at least one security guard, complete with a handgun, in it. They don't have cash at their satellite offices so it's not that they're afraid of someone trying to rob them. No, it's to deal with the applicants of SSI or SSD who are totally fed up with all the BS we get from them. I know now just how easy it is to lose it completely and go ballistic on them!
I'm just so tired of all the lies. If someone could just be honest and say something like "it SHOULD take no longer than..." instead of "it WILL take no longer than...". Unless they are all complete morons, they've noticed that much of what goes on there usually takes much longer than what it's supposed to.
Maybe I should have broken down and started crying on the phone a long time ago. Maybe I'd have no reason to rant now. Oh, well. I'm just one of those they've decided to give as many problems they could to. I feel even worse for those in a similar situation as I am but who have no other means of support. At least I do have a roof over my head and food to eat.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
5 Dec 09
That's very true, Alice. My husband has also been telling me to call and raise heck every day. I keep telling him that the man I've been speaking with the most has actually DONE the most that he could for me. He even advised me to contact my congressman in order to start a Congressional Investigation. He said that once they are started, things usually pick up speed.
I did contact my congressman who spoke directly with the manager of the Inquiry and Expediting section of my local payment center (the one 180 miles away) to get this matter resolved.
To date, I still have not received any of this money, though. 
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
3 Dec 09
I'm sure you know you'll get no interest--it's okay for them to use your money but God forbid if you should owe the government! I'd say sue but it's probably more trouble and money than it's worth. You've been to your congressman, etc., but try him or her one more time if there's nothing in your account by Tuesday.
You'll never run out of tears, sad to say. And when it comes to our stupid government, they quit caring a long time ago about the people they are supposed to be serving. Sorry you're going through all this crap. There's something really wrong when an honest citizen can't get what is owed them and yet a career criminal has no problem getting a public defender, welfare, etc. and terrorists can be tried with the same rights as citizens.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
3 Dec 09
So true, dragon! You know, if I became a criminal, I'd have more rights and privileges than I have right now. I wouldn't have to worry about food, clothing, housing or medical expenses. Heck, I knew a guy who had corrective eye surgery while in prison! Both eyes! And this was back when it cost about $5,000.00 an eye!!!
I did write to my congressman again and received an answer from him today. He said he spoke to the manager of the Inquiry and Exediting section of Social Security's Mid-Atlantic payment center. He's been intervening on my behalf every time I've contacted him. At least he's working to help me.
Hmmm, maybe our government workers, even down to the janitors, should all be voted in instead of just being hired. If they relied on our votes like the congressmen and senators, they'd get off their butts and start doing their jobs!
Civil servants, my butt!
1 person likes this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
3 Dec 09
Marti,
I hate what they are doing to you. I really don't think it is a personal thing. I think it is a totally incompetant bunch of people. When my second husband was sick with a Parkinson like Disease, which eventually killed him, I was in and out of Social Security offices in different towns. All the goverment offices of any kind have almost nothing but imcompetant people. Why is that? All they care about is the fraudulent people.They think that everyone is a fraud. How wrong is that?
You can check with a lawyer on the law suit thing but I think they are protected from law suits. I hope I'm wrong. You just don't deserve this crap. I wish there was something I could do. Hang in there sweetie. Big hugs to you
Leenie
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
3 Dec 09
Thanks, Leenie. I've gone into "depressed mode" now. At least I'm not all stressed out about it not coming... again. I'll probably be pretty quiet for the next few days. If this wasn't money I have worked for, money that was taken out of every single paycheck I ever earned, I wouldn't be as upset, at least I don't think I would.
The biggest issue I have right now is that I've already been approved, yet they still won't release my money. Oh, there are probably people looking at the Order right now and passing it by thinking someone else will take care of it. Of the government workers I've met, I don't think they care about anyone at all except themselves. They shouldn't be working for a place like Social Security. Technically, these people are called "Civil Servants". Yeah, right, uh huh. Sure.
I know they look at everyone who applies as a lazy good-for-nothing. I've never been one to wish anything bad on anyone but I'd LOVE to see some of these "civil servants" become disabled themselves and have to go through all this BS. Of course, THEY wouldn't because they know people. But, I'd like to think that they'd have as much trouble getting what they need as the rest of us.
It may be that I cannot sue them but I will definitely be looking into receiving "penalties and interest" like they would be charging me if I owed them! If even that is not allowed, you can be sure I'll be writing to the president because that is so unfair of the government! It may do no good, either, but at least I'll feel like I've done all I can. Maybe I'll ask the congressman if it's a possibility that I could get interest. He really has been a help to me. (Of course, he relies on votes to keep his job so he's more willing to help... Social Security workers should have to be voted in.)
I used to joke about the only difference between our government and a communist government is that they KNOW what they're not going to get. We're lied to and told we'll get this or that when, in actuality, we'll never get it.
1 person likes this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
3 Dec 09
Marti,
I think you've got the right idea. Start writing letters to everyone you can think of, congressman,senators, President. First call the National Social Security Office. Ask to speak to the Supervisor. If you don't get any satisfaction, write a letter to them. Just write one great letter and cc it to anyone you can think of in authority. Go for it Baby!!!
Leenie
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Dec 09
I feel so much for you. How damn frustrating! If your Social Security is anything like ours in Australia I doubt you can sue but I would certainly look into it if I were you. Do you have anyone who could take you into their office? I would go in there and cry if I had to and refuse to leave until somebody attended to me. I know it sounds easy for me to say but this just isn’t right! A person with a disability should not be subjected to treatment like this!
I went to my Social Security office when my husband who suffers from bipolar disorder got sick while away on the other side of the country and was not allowed to fly home and I was left with a baby and no income. I stayed there and told them I absolutely had to see someone and by the time someone called me in I burst into tears which was not intentional but did the trick because the bloke felt bad for me and my money magically arrived within two days, it’s amazing what they can do when they want to!
My thoughts are with you and I relate to how you are feeling. I hope and pray that it will be resolved soon. Hang in there...
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
4 Dec 09
Thank you, Paula.
It's really sad but I honestly think the tears did it for me. This same man who just yesterday told me he would have this critical payment issued did nothing last month when I told him of my "critical need". Oh, he sent a "manager-to-manager" request for expediency but that did absolutely nothing. He told me it would take no longer than two weeks once that request was sent by him but two weeks passed by and I got nothing. Another request and another two weeks later, still nothing!
Oh, the money is sitting in the payment office right now, the last step before coming to me but who knows how long it will just sit there? They're probably all busy decorating their offices for Christmas and taking extra-long lunches to do some Christmas shopping, all while my money is just sitting there, gathering dust while my overdue medical bills keep pouring in, each one getting nastier and nastier.
It wasn't until I burst into tears while on the phone with this man that he mentioned this critical payment thing. The part about this that is so hard to understand is, if they can send me part of what they owe me, why can't they send the full amount??? I mean, they're issuing me a payment anyway, why can't they just type in the full amount instead of just part of it?????
It's pure insanity. It's like a horror movie that never ends, a nightmare for a coma patient. We formed our government to take care of us yet we are the lowest priority they have!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Dec 09
You poor thing I really feel for you. I hope this nightmare ends for you soon, I really do...
@allknowing (153544)
• India
4 Dec 09
Governments are the same whichever part of the globe they may come from. You could certainly claim interest from the date you received approval and normally they do add this amount without your claiming it. If your reaction that you have outlined in your question has done you some good (screaming!!) then go ahead and do it which is called venting ones anger if that is all what you could do. But if you could do better than that such as going to a friend or any other influential person for support I would opt for that.
By the time you see this answer I am sure you would have got your cheque! @mentalward (14690)
• United States
4 Dec 09
Thanks, allknowing, but I have not received any money yet. As a matter of fact, I just spoke to the "retro-active payment expert" this morning and he said that, if I do not receive the full amount owed to me by NEXT MONTH, he will place an order for another emergency check. Of course, I have not received the first one yet. I was told I could expect it by next Wednesday. I won't be holding my breath, though.
Every single time they have told me about one of their deadlines that they would have something done by, that deadline was missed, sometimes by years. Every single time for seven years!!!
The insane way my case has been handled has turned me into a veritable recluse. I have one friend who lives over 100 miles away. Other than that, there is no one I can turn to for support. My husband is worthless at giving support. My parents and only sibling are all deceased. I don't want to put this heavy load on my sons, although they do what they can to keep my spirits up.
Nah, those primal screams of mine did a lot of good. They released a lot of frustration in a very efficient manner. I may need to have a few more before this is all straightened out, though. I don't expect anything to go smoothly concerning this case anymore.
@allknowing (153544)
• India
4 Dec 09
We in India have some support organisations for women who extend a hand in such cases. I am sure you too must be having such organisations in your country too. They give free service and you could even egg them on to take it up legally, in which case you might get a wapping sum, though late. Take it as a challenge and once you do that you will literally enjoy this procoess. Just a suggestion though!
@AmbiePam (120683)
• United States
4 Dec 09
You won't get far if you sue. Not what you want to hear, but it's true. I was denied for five years, and they kept telling me it was coming, telling me it would be there. Meanwhile I drove my poor parents into debt because I couldn't pay my own medical bills. Five years are bad, but seven are just horrendous. It will get there eventually. I just wish I could say something to make you feel better. But I know that there really isn't. No one could ever say anything to make me feel better. I kept feeling like I was sucking my parent's future into the abyss. THEY can't even afford health insurance. But you will get your back pay. And even though it won't be what you should be getting (trust me on that), it will be a start. I'm just sorry.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
4 Dec 09
Thanks, Pam. I know there's nothing you can say because I know how the system is. It certainly is not just my case that is insane, it's the majority of cases. I didn't expect to hear anything that would give me hope, I just really needed to vent.
I just can't fathom how stupid our "civil servants" can be when we can see so clearly what needs to be done and how much time it would take a non-government-employee to get it done.
I knew a woman who worked for Social Security who quit because she was black-balled by her own co-workers because she actually WORKED! She ended up working in a convenience store but said she was much happier working there than around all those lazy so-and-so's.
I'm seriously thinking about making a website to collect horror stories about Social Security. Once I get enough, I'll send them to everyone I can think of who would be able to bring about a change in the system, like the president, senators, congressmen, news medias, human activists, etc. I would like to make every American well aware of just how bad it is and what they have to look forward to if they ever have to rely on disability or retirement from Social Security.
Maybe you could share yours with me now? I won't name anyone unless they want me to. If you could write out what you remember going back to when you first applied, it would help to start off this campaign of mine. Hmmm, maybe I'll do a discussion about that and try to collect more stories. If I get that website up and running, I'll let you know what it's called.
1 person likes this
@neildc (17238)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
4 Dec 09
hi marti. this thing is really a nightmare for you. with a lot of bills already due and christmas is just about the corner, i know you really need the money badly. i also feel that christmas is not going to come for us. we also need money badly. although i regularly receiving my salary from the government, it's not even enough for our daily needs. and come to think of the health problems coming in too. we keep on telling to ourselves that never lose hope, but if the trend continues, where's the hope. 
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
4 Dec 09
Hi Neil. Yes, I had high hopes that I'd have this money by now and my bills would be paid. Of course, I never stop thinking about little Zayzay! He's just one more reason why I'm so totally frustrated right now. I have so much money coming to me but it's not here and I have no idea when it will be. Now, they're saying that, if it isn't here by NEXT month, they'll send me another "critical payment", although I haven't received the first one yet. AAAARRRRGH!!!!! It's a miracle I have any hair left on my head from all the hair-pulling I've done recently!
I did receive a response from my congressman yesterday. He said he's been in touch with the manager of the Inquiry and Expediting section of our local payment center to try and expedite things. The money is sitting in the office where they send the payments from right now but who knows how long it will take them to send it? All I know is that it has been sitting there for 3 days already.
I agree, where's the hope? Our government sure knows how to kill hope! You should move your family here because the government workers here get paid quite well! They have excellent benefits, too, like health insurance, life insurance, paid medical leave, extra-long paid vacation time, something like 12 paid holidays, plus they get paid more than the average person for the same amount of work. Plus, right now, they're probably putting work aside so they can decorate their offices for Christmas and taking extra-long lunches to get their holiday shopping done or using their paid leave days to get all their holiday preparation finished so people like me have to wait even longer.
It's coming, I just have no idea when.
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
6 Dec 09
I'm right with you babe on that idea! Sue the b*ggers!
What I DON'T understand is, IF this gear-box is going to send you a "critical" (?) payment check...then WHY oh WHY, does it have to be of a LESSER amount? If he can give you "some" money, then he should be able to give you ALL of the money you're owed...including interest.
What's up with this, "lesser amount" nonsense?
cdrxo
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
3 Dec 09
Hey MW! I can definitely understand your frustration and agree
with you totally about how phucked up this phucking government
is, especially with regard to SSD! I told you what THEY are
doing to me! They made me pay them $447 our of the $1234 that
they give me for Medicaid Spendown! I had no choice but to pay
it because I found out that ONE of my much needed meds was
$556 a month! Now that was only for ONE med, one month supply!
What the frig are they making the medication out of gold? I
have been so sick because I have been without my meds for 3 weeks
now, have no doctors anymore because they took my choice of
Medicaid Providers away to give me worse coverage that I now have
to PAY FOR! It makes no phucking sense! I am really sick now,
getting migranes everyday, can't see my Internist of over 10
years and nobody gives a crap! I am also fighting like hell, but
I know that I won't win! This is the most unfair and stupid,
ridiculous bullsh!t I have or anyone else has ever heard of!
And, their answer to me is to "go to work" so I can afford the
Spendown! Now, if I could go to work I wouldn't be on Disability!
Duh! What is wrong with our phucking government! I am so with
you on wanting to sue their azzes!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
5 Dec 09
You better believe they would charge you interest if it were you that owed. That's what gets me fired up about tax refunds..sure it's nice to get a check for a tax refund but in truth..that's money that the government has taken from you through the year that they owe you back. Interest free loan is all it is. I know how sick you are of this. And for them to say you would get a lesser amount fires me up even more. I hate this whole thing for you. Turn about is fair play.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Dec 09
This whole thing has been unbelievable, Jen. Like an unending nightmare. I've seen some really bad times in my life, like cancer and rape, but nothing compares to what I've been going through with these idiots! It's like they make up the rules as they go along, say whatever they feel like saying at the moment.
I realized that about the tax refunds a long time ago. I had a friend who loved having extra money taken out of his pay each week so he'd get a large refund at tax time. I tried to convince him that he was losing by doing that because he wasn't earning interest on that money the government was holding until tax time, but he refused to see it. Maybe it's better for some people, those who can't hold on to a penny if it's in their hands but I would rather have it in my bank than let the government control it until they gave it to me.
Lori said she had a feeling I'd be getting this money by the end of this year but I'm having my doubts now. When I was approved in August, I thought for sure I'd have received it way before now! Whenever I ask why at Social Security, they always say "I don't know". Thanks guys, that helps me a LOT! If someone there would just care enough to try to find the answer to that question, I'd be a lot happier and I'm sure thousands of others would, too.
