What percentage of the payments is made to fraudulent claims?
“What percentage of the payments is made to fraudulent claims?”
A lot more than 20% I would bet...
I met a guy a couple of months ago that draws "SS disability". He is in his 40's.
His disability? He is so damned fat that he can do nothing but sit around and eat! His attitude is that he is owed those payments because he cannot get a job due to his "disability".
In the meantime, I am 66 and still working so I can keep things from going south when the payments I receive cannot be made by a broke Fedrool Gum't. I paid into the SS system for 46 years, and will never receive that money bank, much less with interest! With all of the farad and waste today, I see small chance that they can continue. Of course, their best chance is with inflation eating my dollars away.
Did anybody foresee hamburger for $6 a pound, milk at $5 a gallon, or home heating costs for $1200 per month?
Not just fraudulent, but claims that go on far longer than they had to. When unemployment rates skyrocketed, you also had people whose handicaps might not have disqualified them for a more robust job market, but their disabilities now make them rely on those checks and that medical service.
I have a relative who has been on disability for over 15 years. Once one gets on disability, it's very difficult to break loose. The person gets whatever care they give them, can't get a little better for fear of losing the benefits, and is pretty much stuck where their medical care is. They can't have much in the way of assets, they can't get part time work without it cutting into their benefits and maybe eliminating them. On disability besides medical they get a disability check, food stamps, ObamaPhones.
I see what it can do to a perso. It's heartbreaking. If anyone needs to go on disability, the smartest thing they can do, if it's possible is to get out of that downward spiral ASAP.
JMHO
I have done a lot of SSD evaluations as a psychologist. A LOT of people try to collect based on depression, stress and unemployability (e.g., a prison record). Every state is different in how they handle the claims. Unfortunately, if people hire the right lawyers, a judge will overturn initial administrative denials.