#SSDI

[cleoselene]

signal boost!

if you are on SSDI/Medicare, please contact the ACLU or an appropriate law firm to file a class action suit against the federal government for breach of privacy.

[image text: Attn: Treasury Secretary Scott Bressent granted representatives of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency full access to the federal payment system!

Response post: As a SSDI and Medicare client, I filed a request for a class-action breach of privacy lawsuit request with my state ACLU today. Please file in your state]

I will be contacting the Florida ACLU tomorrow but I also submitted a form to Morgan & Morgan, because the Morgans fuckin' hate Republicans, so it could work.

This is not just about your rights (though that's obviously the most important part), but about slowing down this fascist government. We need to be suing them into oblivion.

[brightlotusmoon]

[my-midlife-crisis]

[foxleotie]

Even though no one is talking about it, disabled people will be the group that sufferers tremendously (if not the most) compared to other marginalized groups due to this US election outcome.

If Trump repeals the ACA, insurance won’t cover our medical treatments, aids, or procedures. It’s likely that SSDI (many people’s only source of income) will be taken away, other benefits will have a work requirement that is impossible for most disabled people to meet, educational protections will be removed for disabled students, prices of medication (that we need to live) will go up, the list goes on.

Many of us will die, become extremely ill, and/or become homeless due to even just the repeal of the ACA and removal of some SS/SSDI (many people’s only form of income). It’s uncertain what exactly is going to happen and when, but disabled Americans are going to suffer. Please be aware of what’s happening to us these next 4 years, try to advocate as much as you can, and support your disabled and chronically ill community members (since the federal government obviously will not).

[bitchesgetriches]

✨NEW POST!✨

The Social Safety Net for Disabled People Is Broken

The Center for American Progress interviewed disabled people who had been through the American Ninja Warrior obstacle course that is the bureaucratic process of applying for disability benefits. If I may summarize their experience in one sentence, it would be: The dehumanization is the point.

These folks described how they were treated like criminals and frauds; evaluated by unqualified medical professionals; judged by people who had no idea what their disability entailed; and how they spent money they didn’t have on lawyers just to access basic ADA protections.

Keep reading.

[snarp]

Americans receiving Social Security, Medicaid, pensions, and other benefits

are likely to receive a lot of scam calls, letters, and so on from people claiming to be "verifying their information" in the near future. The offices responsible for investigating and stopping this form of fraud are all under threat, and DOGE's existence renders leaks of enrollment information likely.

I recommend warning vulnerable friends and family members about this, and - in the case of those who are especially likely to get confused - possibly checking in once a week or so about "calls from the government".

You'll also want to be looking carefully at bank and credit card statements: have direct deposits been coming in on time, and in the expected amounts? There may be no warning if a deposit is delayed.

[affectionatepanda]

I have a disability lawyer! They’re taking my case!

[whatshouldwecallchronicillness]

When every time I check social media I find a new way my gov is doing me dirty...

[long-anti-covid]

Action item for people in the US with long covid:

the Long-Hauler Advocacy Project is asking people with long covid (and caregivers for people with long covid) to fill out their survey about the Social Security Disability process

they're trying to gather information that they can use in advocating to reform the disability application process

they are asking for responses from anyone with long covid, whether you've applied to SSDI or not (one of the things they are gathering data on is the reasons why people haven't applied.)

[spookietrex]

Had my disability hearing today. Got to explain a "bed day" to the judge. Also got to explain why I want to punch my partner's mom in the face when she says she loves me to the judge as a sign of my irritability. My lawyer explaining to my partner later: "Everybody's mom came up."

[sephirajo]

I know so many people besides me on SSDI who can only eat once a day, if that. Many of them are also on food stamps. When are we going to fuck shit up about this? Or will people keep ignoring it because it's the disabled and we're not worth it to so many of you, even other leftists who are okay throwing us off to die and never discussing just how intense these problems are, and how deadly.

[whatarewedoingheree]

So I had a conversation with my coworker about me being on disability and she says “ugh can I go on disability?” Because she doesn’t want to work. And it’s like wow how insensitive???? Does it just sound soooo fun to be disabled so you CANT work at all or not full time? It’s not a silly little choice it’s a fucking disability. People don’t realize/understand that I have an actual disability because I “look” able bodied (despite having a chronic physical illness) and don’t act like my mental illness controls my life cuz I mask really well (meanwhile my anxiety is controlling every action I take)….

[schizoaffectively]

So I’m thinking of applying for SSDI… I am just going home in an unbearable amount of pain after work, and my disability has gotten worse. I need out of work too, because they are just not understanding of my disability even with drs notes for accommodations. My bosses are fine, but my coworkers are so intolerant. I need to be able to feel physically okay at least.

Does anyone have any info or anything you’re willing to share on the application process and your personal experiences?

[chronically-kiah]

Look, im not in the habit of asking for help. But my income has drastically dropped ever since my ex wife/sole caregiver decided to walk away.

I will be able to safely move back to my parents home at the end of April, but I am really struggling right now.

I could really use $30-$40 until I get my SSDI check next week so that I can buy food for my pets and a few essentials for myself.

My ex doesn't help with expenses anymore and I've explored several avenues to get cash for myself. However, I am limited in options due to my income and because my disability prevents me from working and earning money that way.

Any amount is appreciated and, as always, no pressure. Even if you just boost my post, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.🩷🩷

Venmo:

Zelle:

[bitchesgetriches]

Hey bitches! I have something that might be a useful thing for some of your readers. I’m disabled and started getting SSI recently. There is a thing called an ABLE account that lets a disabled person save money that SSI/SSDI would otherwise count against them. I was scared about making the account but it was really easy. I don’t think it’s a really well known program but more people should know about it. There is a basic rundown and links to state by state programs here: https://www.ablenrc.org/what-is-able/what-are-able-acounts/

Great work, babycakes!!! We're so proud of you for getting your ABLE Account started. Here's that link for everyone else: https://www.ablenrc.org/what-is-able/what-are-able-acounts/

We covered a bit about ABLE Accounts, SSI, and SSDI during Disability Pride Month this year:

Why There’s So Little (Good) Personal Finance for Disabled People 

The Social Safety Net for Disabled People Is Broken

Short-Term Disability Insurance Is a Waste of Money… With Two Very Specific Exceptions 

Long-Term Disability Insurance Is a Necessity… and a Scam 

Did we just help you out? Say thanks on Patreon.

[snarp]

Current daily problem under Biden administration: "How do we help this person who is too disabled to convince the SSA to give them disability benefits?"

Projected daily problem in 3 years under Harris: same but maybe 2x daily.

Projected daily problem in 3 years under Trump: "How do we convince this person that disability benefits no longer exist?"

(I think it'll probably take a couple years to gut SSDI completely? Could be wrong.)