Hurry up and wait: Social Security, federal funds, the Gulf of Mexico and the American people’s money
My heart really goes out to anyone who has to apply for Social Security disability benefits. It’s a long process and it’s a tedious process. However, it does have one thing in its favor: It IS a process. It stinks. It’s difficult. It’s frustrating. But it IS a process. And we have that process because, at the end, of the day, you’re dealing with federal funds. When you’re talking about federal funds, you’re talking about the American people’s money. And let me tell you, people don’t care about other people’s money. They care about their own. And in some instances, they care about yours if they can get it. So, we have a process to make sure it doesn’t get abused, misused, mishandled, and / or misappropriated. Unfortunately, no one wants to hear that when they need it. However, this is a time when we need a process.
How many of you remember Hurricane Katrina and that whole fiasco with the debit cards that were sent out? A lot of struggling people didn’t get the benefit of the monies the federal government wanted them to get. WHY? One, they wanted the money RIGHT NOW! Two, in its effort to get the money to them right now, the federal government gave some people money they didn’t deserve.
Now, what does that mean for this latest disaster in the Gulf? Again, we are faced with a situation where the American people want their money RIGHT NOW!! But it’s clear that the government has a process. Look at it like this: let’s say that you were in an auto accident and it was the other driver’s fault. That driver has insurance and your car has over $5000 in damage. Who do you want to pay for it? That’s right! The other driver’s insurance. Well, let’s assume that in your haste, you tell YOUR insurance company to pay for it because the other driver’s insurance is not as good as yours. Ok, now you get what you want. Unfortunately, your premiums go up. The accident counts against your insurance. Finally, your insurance company informs you that, if you get into another accident, you will be dropped from your policy. NOW, you’re mad. But why? Had you slowed down a minute and let the OTHER driver’s insurance handle it, you wouldn’t be in this position.
Now, I’m not trying to make light of the peril and hard times of those in the Gulf. I’ve spent my entire legal career working with people who have to deal with the federal government in an attempt to receive their funds through a lengthy process. My point is this, BP caused this car accident. They have the insurance. Remember, the ENTIRE COUNTRY has to foot the bill for any money that comes out of OUR pocket to address this situation. A situation that was caused BY BP!!!! Let their insurance coverage address it and you just wait for the rental car.
A reflection on Tragedy: Hurricane Katrina and Social Security Disability
With the devastation surrounding the earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, and now Taiwan, these disasters started to remind me of the devastation that occurred in New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
I don’t think some people truly appreciate how certain services can be fundamentally SHUT down when hit with a natural disaster. Of course, we know that power, lights, water, police services, bus services, blah, blah, blah, will shut down. But you don’t really appreciate how devastating a situation can be until you see spill outside of those communities into your own.
When Katrina occurred, there were ALOT of Louisianans who migrated to Florida. I had the opportunity to represent a few of those individuals. Now, I know you’ve heard me scream a THOUSAND times about how YOU bare the responsibility of proving that you are disabled. I have stressed that you need to get your medical records and YOU have to demonstrate that you are disabled through medical evidence.
Well, how would you feel if you couldn’t prove it because ALL of your medical records were destroyed? I am mean, that’s what I was faced with when I was representing some of the survivors. I ran into all kinds of problems. I had some places where the buildings were destroyed. Some places, they would not release ANYTHING until they could a detail inventory. It was crazy. I mean if you have a condition like the young lady named Prudence who won an Oscar yesterday (Prudence Mabhena is 21 yr old and she is from Zimbabwe. She is suffering from arthrogryposis, a condition that deforms joints and cost her both her legs. ), your condition may be self evident. But imagine trying to prove you’re disabled due a bad back and you don’t have your MRIs or diabetes and all of your lab work is gone.
But wait. What if you couldn’t prove who you are?? I had a few people who had their drivers license and SS card but sometimes, SSA requires your birth certificate. Well, that building was GONE!!
Now, I gotta take the time to give a shout out to the Social Security Administration. Their offices were obliterated and their workers were literally providing services in other states. I mean, they were working at other offices and STILL processing claims. It was crazy.
Part of the reason I’m reflecting on this situation is because we have literally seen 3 major disasters occur in the last few weeks. It is so easy to underestimate how much pressure it puts on a country to have to rush and provide stability to an environment when these things happen. Sometimes, the effects can have a much longer consequence than we give credit.
Be thankful.
