It is time for another version of People Who Don’t Know Speak. Every now and then we like to checkout Social Security’s blog that deals with different topics and programs Social Security offers. One feature these blogs offer is a place to comment about the content of the blog. Typically, if you read most stories on the internet that offer a place to comment you will get some nasty comments about politics, but also some really misinformed comments. The Social Security blog is no different.
Unhappy With Social Security Representatives
A recent comment post to a Social Security blog about disability benefits criticized Social Security employees for being “under qualified, unprofessional, and nasty.” Considering we are a Social Security disability law office, we talk to Social Security employees every day. Like any other industry Social Security has its outstanding employees and some other ones who are less than outstanding. We have dealt with both. Social Security is a huge agency and its employees are typically swamped day-in and day-out with huge numbers of customers that visit a Social Security office on any particular day or who call an office trying to get some assistance. The fact is that Social Security is extremely understaffed. There are fewer employees at the agency than there was seven years ago and the new president signed an executive order instituting a hiring freeze on federal employment, which means things are only going to get worse at Social Security. That being said, it would be wise for some Social Security employees to work on their customer services skills. They can’t control the amount of work they are faced with or how long it is going to take to process a claim due to lack of funding and staffing, but they can control how a customer is treated.
Absolutely Absurd
One of the main reasons we offer a blog about misinformation about Social Security programs is that it can be dangerous if people believe some thing that is not true. This is exactly what a poster by the name of Ray recently did. Ray said, “If an individual who is truly disabled Social Security will deny your claim. From what I see on Youtube individuals who put in fraudulent claims are approved.”
This is utter nonsense and the first indication is that Ray believes accurate information about Social Security disability is obtained from Youtube. There are many people who are truly disabled who have to fight for their disability benefits, but if there is sufficient medical evidence to prove someone is disabled they are more likely than not to get their benefits. On the other hand, very few “fraudulent” claims make it through the scrutiny of the disability process. The fact is that if there is not credible evidence from medical providers indicating someone is impaired and unable to work there is virtually no chance a person will be found disabled.
Unfortunately there seems to be no end to the inaccurate posts people provide on Social Security’s blogs, which is why Social Security should end the practice. Very few people have received relevant information related to a blog post comment.
