Posted on 01/02/2011 7:35:51 PM PST by Angelus
Geneva Fielding, a single mother since age 16, has struggled to raise her three energetic boys in the housing projects of Roxbury. Nothing has come easily, least of all money.
Even so, she resisted some years back when neighbors told her about a federal program called SSI that could pay her thousands of dollars a year. The benefit was a lot like welfare, better in many ways, but it came with a catch: To qualify, a child had to be disabled. And if the disability was mental or behavioral — something like ADHD — the child pretty much had to be taking psychotropic drugs.
Fielding never liked the sound of that. She had long believed too many children take such medications, and she avoided them, even as clinicians were putting names to her boys’ troubles: oppositional defiant disorder, depression, ADHD. But then, as bills mounted, friends nudged her about SSI: “Go try.’’
Eventually she did, putting in applications for her two older sons. Neither was on medications; both were rejected. Then last year, school officials persuaded her to let her 10-year-old try a drug for his impulsiveness. Within weeks, his SSI application was approved.
“To get the check,’’ Fielding, 34, has concluded with regret, “you’ve got to medicate the child.’’
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Possibly SOME TIMES, maybe even many times. But, many kids have it and grow up and still have it. I have a brother who has it. Decades ago, it was treated like he just wasn’t paying attention for whatever reason. In his case over disciplining only made things worse. People who truly have ADD, need some extra tutoring and modifications for learning, not smacking.
However, I do believe most kids are energetic and can be easily distracted. This does not represent ADD, but just being a typical child. They just need refocusing and plenty of time to run those legs.
I’ve known people who faked disabilities to get on SSI. They’re set for life, and they have more money and “stuff” than most working people I know. Not to mention all the free time they have since they don’t have to work. It’s quite the scam.
The Chinese immigrants love to do this but others do it too. They bring in their elderly parents here legally and get them on SSI. So in essence the old duffers come here to retire on SS without having ever paid a dime into it. Not to mention getting on Medicare and subsidized housing without ever having paid taxes
Plus these SSI payments to elderly immigrants can be higher than the SS some Americans qualify for such as a housewife who didn’t work much outside the house.
This explains some things I’ve noticed over the years. Very interesting and informative.
I work with these folks on a weekly basis.
First they get on Medicaid so the pills cost next to nothing or are free.
Once on Medicaid, that eases the barrier to getting Food Stamps.
Finally, usually with the help of a lawyer, they apply for SSI.
And if they are real lucky, they can score some Section 8 housing and pay greatly reduced rent.
Now they’re set. Got the meds, got the food, got the government check, got the place to stay.
As long as the “disabled” person is in their household, the SSI check comes every month. This is why 30+ year olds are still living with their mother. Gotta get that check!
They visit food banks and get free food over and above the Food Stamps. Sometimes they stock up on expensive groceries, pay for it with Food Stamps, then sell the high priced goods for pennies on the dollar to their friends and family.
They visit clothing banks for free clothing.
They can get a free cell phone from the government.
There are plenty of agencies around that will help with utility bills.
There are thousands and thousands of people like this.
And we’re paying for all of it.
I had cancer in 2008 (now in remission) but it wiped out my kidneys, and became eligible for Medicare.
The dialysis place urged me to apply (I later realized it was because they’d get paid more for the dialysis). Anyway, I let Part B lapse after three months because I didn’t see any benefit to me. I had private insurance and it paid for everything except some chemotherapy copays. I’m still not using Part B (or A for that matter). I’m on COBRA right now.
I went to the Social Security office in November to find out if I could get back on Part B because I changed jobs and there would have been a coverage gap - and COBRA is $550 a month.
It turns out I don’t qualify in my current state, i.e., working, because of the 2008 mixup.
BUT, if I lose my job for any reason, I not only qualify for Part B immediately (it would cost me about $140 a month and it covers my dialysis which is about $1000 per treatment - and I go three times per week) but also SSI! However it doesn’t pay for medications and one pill I take is $350 for 30 pills - and the one they really want me on is $700.
So... I’ll stay working as long as I can and pay for my private health insurance.
Course there is a debate about whether my insurance will at the 30 month mark say that Medicare has to be the primary insurer - if it does, I have to quit my job and let all of you pay for my dialysis. I can’t afford $12,000 a month.
The system is FUBAR.
In California they give the welfare recipients a debit card and it not only pays for groceries but they get cash back! No telling where that money goes.
They max out getting it all.
Ask and ye shall receive, beleaguered taxpayer!
http://newzeal.blogspot.com/2011/01/californias-welfare-atms.html
It’s not just the parents that receive money for having “disabled” kids. The schools also get Federal money for each “disabled” student. This gives them an incentive to label children to get the money and (also notice how it’s mostly boys) cripple the future male population. These Marxist are very clever.
ADHD is just another of the many attacks by the left in the war on men, families, traditional values, and Christianity.
Sadly, some kids who are put in those 'programs' tend to think of themselves as 'retarded' or 'stupid', and tend to act in that manner, with the choices they make in life, not to mention dealing with the effects of the meds they're required to take.
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