[Ensam]

I think this might be the real reason our country is in the shitter:
http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/

Quote:

The federal government spends more money each year on cash payments for disabled former workers than it spends on food stamps and welfare combined. Yet people relying on disability payments are often overlooked in discussions of the social safety net. People on federal disability do not work. Yet because they are not technically part of the labor force, they are not counted among the unemployed.

I found this graphic to particularly telling. Over 50% of all claims are due to back pain and mental illness: the two categories with the most lattitude for judgement.

[Excelsior]

Looks like 44% of the problems are the result of Backpains and/or Heart disease.

I wonder how much of that, in turn, is related to obesity?

The number of cases relating to mental illness has also skyrocketed since 1961. This explosion has paralleled the rise of females in the workforce. Would the disproportionately high rate of mental illness among women have anything to do with that increase?

I see the potential exposure of some very inconvenient truths here.

[Samseau]

(03-22-2013 06:33 PM)Athlone McGinnis Wrote:  

Looks like 44% of the problems are the result of Backpains and/or Heart disease.

I wonder how much of that, in turn, is related to obesity?

The number of cases relating to mental illness has also skyrocketed since 1961. This explosion has paralleled the rise of females in the workforce. Would the disproportionately high rate of mental illness among women have anything to do with that increase?

I see the potential exposure of some very inconvenient truths here.

Also the fact that disability workers make their living by having people go on disability, thus incentivizing bullshit disability claims in order to keep the checks flowing.

[placer]

I can tell you that I know of a workplace where all of the ladies at the work place game the system so that they can live off of disability checks instead of working for a living. Indeed, this place is--surprise, surprise--full of feminist lesbians (the "man hating dykes" I have mentioned elsewhere)

[cardguy]

Unless you recently survived a workplace shooting massacre. You shouldn't be allowed to go off work due to 'stress'.

That is a big one these days...

[Damedius]

Canada has it's own version of this for mental illness. They pay you $1600 a month. Plus you can apply to get subsidized housing where the government pays the majority of your rent.

[TheKantian]

I knew a guy that was on disability because of mental illness. He was completely fucked up. Feel bad for him because even with his medication he just kept fucking up. Last I heard he tried to kill himself.

[kdolo]

Yes ! for the most part - yes - its welfare.

There are legitimately disabled people - but its being used as a way to expand the dependency and social safety net

[Wayout]

A friend of mine gets a $ 1000 / month plus subsidized housing and utilities. Rent is $200. He was a bit depressed years ago but now is more sane than me. He goes full time to college and of course he is not going to pay any loan money back. No income. Drives a better car than me and lives in a better apartment.
It's like hitting the lottery! I suggested to him to go live somewhere in Asia on that 1k, i'll deposit his check every month. And let me live rent free in his apartment.

Now, it took me 3 years to pull this off. You have to have a history of illness and be seeking medical help. Only a doctor can diagnose you of course. You can't work for at least a year. And it takes about a year to get this approved.

[kazz]

This is interesting, I never realized the US offered this much help/assistance. Australia is ridiculous in relation to government handouts.

[username]

http://rt.com/usa/million-us-residents-welfare-268/

Quote:

According to an excerpt from the committee’s new presentation, nearly one-in-three US residents receive government assistance — and that’s not even including those benefitting from Social Security or Medicare.

So probably close to 50% of the population receives benefits (when including SS) and I am a dumb fuck for working like an idiot I guess.

[Dulceácido]

(03-23-2013 01:56 AM)username Wrote:  

http://rt.com/usa/million-us-residents-welfare-268/

Quote:

According to an excerpt from the committee’s new presentation, nearly one-in-three US residents receive government assistance — and that’s not even including those benefitting from Social Security or Medicare.

So probably close to 50% of the population receives benefits (when including SS) and I am a dumb fuck for working like an idiot I guess.

Dude... that is unfriggin'believable... 100 million people on some sort of government assistance...

[Handsome Creepy Eel]

Possibly. Truth be told, I think "normal disabilities" like this are all fine because they were actually caused by something. It's those fake PTSD people who are a result of just plain corruption that enrage me (hint: Croatia has more PTSD sufferers who receive disability payments than the size of its entire army that fought in the Homeland War of 1991).

[ElBorrachoInfamoso]

It's interesting to see people catching on to this now.
People in the ghetto figured out this con long ago and started using it heavily after Clinton reformed welfare. I have several family members on disability.

[Ensam]

I don't think it's necessarily all due to out right fraud. It's more a question of, how bad is it? I'm sure lots of people with PTSD and back pain would find sustainable work if they had to. Disability should really be left to those who would starve without it.

[rdvirus]

In the construction field I have witnessed this first hand. Back in the day they would let people know as the layoffs were approaching. Nowadays you get told you're laid off as you're working your last shift. Guys would purposely get hurt because they knew it works out for the better.

[Handsome Creepy Eel]

rdvirus, but would that not count as sick leave, rather than disability? Or are they the same? I am confused. Surely someone wouldn't permanently injure himself for that?

[Emancipator]

(03-23-2013 09:48 AM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  

rdvirus, but would that not count as sick leave, rather than disability? Or are they the same? I am confused. Surely someone wouldn't permanently injure himself for that?

If you get injured on the job here in Canada we have Worker's Compensation, pretty much the employers pay a premium that goes in a fund that covers people's salaries when their injured.

Its a total sham, not only do many people going on it do it for their benefit but many services (training programs, therapy studios, message places, etcetera) take advantage of it by not doing anything to help the people that are in it because they want that juicy flow of government compensation to keep coming in.