They simply walk into the system and claim "depression, drug addictions, etc. and bingo...instant checks. Your story is horrible but I'm sure it's happening to many Americans. Immigrants are also bringing in all kinds of elderly relatives, they find a less well paid relative to "sponsor" them because a sponsor only needs to be 125% over federal poverty levels and then their income gets considered with the new immigrant who can have zero income when applying for SSI. I know of physicians who are making big money who have their elderly parents on SSI and Medicaid but they made sure a lower wage relative brought them in at least on paper. I also know of many younger immigrants who've managed to get on SSI ---they don't appear to be drug addicts or alcoholic and I think they used "depression" for the reason.
You have it pegged, Fitz. In Oregon we have a state "disability service". They supposedly "help" you get your disability. They will not even consider the physical findings, but instead insist on pushing the "depression" angle. These are "private" providers, screeners, if you will, and get paid by the heads they push through the system. Depression is all they will consider because it gets through now, without all the hassle. Being the stubborn
"!@#@" I am, I threw a fit, told them I was going to get the disability based on fact not their quota system and was told I might have an "anger" problem. I told them I had an "idiot" problem. I won't accept SSI, which is what the illegals get and the people who have not paid into the system.