Posted on 04/06/2015 12:56:28 PM PDT by Kaslin
95 percent of Puerto Ricans speak Spanish
The Social Security Administration (SSA) approved disability benefits for hundreds of Puerto Ricans because they do not speak English, despite the fact that Puerto Rico is a predominantly Spanish-speaking territory.
According to a new audit by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the agency is misapplying rules that are intended to provide financial assistance to individuals who are illiterate or cannot speak English in the United States. Under the rules, Puerto Ricans are allowed to receive disability benefits for their inability to speak English as well.
We found the Agency did not make exceptions regarding the English-language grid rules for claimants who reside in Puerto Rico, even though Spanish is the predominant language spoken in the local economy, the OIG said.
The audit said a person applying for disability in Puerto Rico who cannot speak English may increase his/her likelihood of receiving disability benefits.
The agency does not currently have a system in place to keep track of the number of beneficiaries who receive disability insurance for not being able to speak English.
However, the OIG was able to identify 218 cases between 2011 and 2013 where Puerto Ricans were awarded disability due to an inability to communicate in English. Furthermore, 4 percent of disability hearings in Puerto Rico involved looking at the individuals ability to speak, read, write, and understand English.
Though 95 percent of Puerto Ricans speak Spanish at home, according to the rules a Spanish-speaking nurse in Puerto Rico would be considered unskilled, the OIG said.
The SSA told the OIG that the rules are applied one-size-fits-all.
SSA managers at various disability decision levels stated Social Security is a national program, and the grids must be applied to the national economy, regardless of local conditions, the audit said.
The SSA takes into account an individuals education level when considering awarding disability benefits if they do not qualify for medical reasons. Part of the education requirement involves looking at a persons ability to speak English, to determine whether it limits his ability to find a job.
Last year Sen. Jeff Sessions (R., Ala.) raised concerns that the Obama administration was broadly applying the education rule under the Social Security Act to allow individuals to receive disability payments solely because they cannot speak English.
He noted that the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) rolls swelled 230 percent between 2000 and 2010, while the U.S. population only grew 9.7 percent.
Former SSA judges have also testified that individuals have been approved for disability in the United States without having to prove they cannot speak English.
The hundreds of Puerto Ricans noted in the OIGs report have received disability insurance despite a 1987 U.S. District Court ruling that appears to contradict the SSAs policy. Benefits were denied on the grounds that it is the ability to communicate in Spanish, not English, that is vocationally important in Puerto Rico.
It should be noted, however, that the court explicitly declined to apply this rationale outside of this one case, the OIG said.
The SSA agreed with the OIGs recommendations to figure out how many individuals have been awarded disability based on their inability to communicate in English, and to evaluate the appropriateness of applying the English-speaking rules to Puerto Rico.
The SSA is currently gathering information for a proposed regulation that could lead to changes to the English-speaking rule, the agency said.
Specifically, we are soliciting public comments and supporting research on how the inability to communicate in English affects an individual’s ability to adjust to other work that exists in the national economy, the SSA said.
meanwhile it is very hard for a white man to get disability these days
I am certain that this is another one those "White Privilege" deals again.
And they're doing it quite deliberately.
this has nothing to do with english or spanish or even Puerto Ricans. These SSA bureaucrats have been told to load up the disability ranks anyway they can. This is just one way they are doing it.
Cloward Piven
Boner's piece, it looks like a dinosaur!! He thinks it's real cool.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) approved disability benefits for hundreds of Puerto Ricans because they do not speak English, despite the fact that Puerto Rico is a predominantly Spanish-speaking territory.....I took a 65 year old to the SS office about 10-12 years ago. I was talking to the Guard and noticed all the Hispanic people coming and going. All were 20 30 years old. I asked him “At their age, what the hell are they doing here? There can’t be that many disabled Hispanics in this small County/” He just said “ They can’t speak English, so they can’t jobs, ya know?” I almost crapped my pants right there. (BTW. The white 65 year old Vet was told to come back when he made an appointment).
The Social Security Administration (SSA) approved disability benefits for hundreds of Puerto Ricans because they do not speak English, despite the fact that Puerto Rico is a predominantly Spanish-speaking territory.....I took a 65 year old to the SS office about 10-12 years ago. I was talking to the Guard and noticed all the Hispanic people coming and going. All were 20 30 years old. I asked him “At their age, what the hell are they doing here? There can’t be that many disabled Hispanics in this small County/” He just said “ They can’t speak English, so they can’t jobs, ya know?” I almost crapped my pants right there. (BTW. The white 65 year old Vet was told to come back when he made an appointment).
It could also be a Miley Cyrus sex toy!
Giggity?
There’s this blue Ford Focus with Missouri plates that’s been parked on my block for a while now. I guess they moved here from Missouri. It’s got all these bumper stickers “Women for Obama”, “Not a Republican” “I heart Obamacare”, “Right to Work: Wrong for Missouri”, “Power Lesbians for Hillary”, “Hail Satan” (ok I made those last 2 up). I saw these 2 girls get in, one was wearing a hoodie with “Peer Diversity Educator” or something like that written on it.
I’m having trouble resiting the urge to key that sumbitch.
She’s all yours!
If you do, use a quarter then spend it. Evidence gone.
You could also pour skunk urine in the heating vents of the car.
Thanks for the tip!
Anytime! Guerrilla warfare can be an art form.
Would it not be cheaper to pay for English classes, given that disability payments are for life?
I was expecting a pink elephant, but thanks : )
” Theres this blue Ford Focus with Missouri plates thats been parked on my block for a while now.”
Call a tow company, and tell them you are with “traffic control” and ask them to tow the car. Repeat as necessary..
Wow so.....90 percent of the inner city odumbi voters ought to pick up on this too.
Ted Cruz hurry up and win!
Patience, the first primaries are still eight month away and the election 19 month
I would think so, but since when do liberals use their brain?
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