I had the same thought...the number of individuals awarded SSDI or SSI has skyrocketed under Obama. Thousands of baby boomers who worked for 40 years suddenly find themselves out of a job, and voila, they “discover” a disability to boost their monthly check.
And sadly, it’s not just people bilking social security. Drudge has a link to a story that one in five female vets of Iraq and Afghanistan has been diagnosed with PTSD. Obviously, that total includes a number of women who are genuinely suffering from post-traumatic stress, but it also includes women who are trying to jump onto the gravy train.
Of course, men are guilty, too. Lots of rear echelon support types who never came close to combat (or a stressful situation) who are filing claims and receiving benefits.
Meanwhile, their claims clog the system and that delays decisions for thousands of vets who are actually suffering from PTSD and deserve their benefits. The VA is an absolute mess, in many respects. The Post 9-11 GI Bill, for example, has become a $15 billion a year boondoggle, with an 88% drop-out rate among vets who become full-time students.
25% of all SS outlays are SSDI or SSI. their website.
SDSDI Is part of SSA. And SSI ( those who haven’t worked enough to qualify for SS or SSDI) is general fund but administered by SSA. I think this percentage was for years before Obama.