Originally Posted by Spencer Collins

I've known people on disability that could out work me with one hand tied behind their back. In some areas of the country,collecting disability is part of their culture and an "acceptable" way of life.Some are extremely conservative,fraud is not confined to just liberals..and they take great delight in bashing the government right after they receive their checks. Since the crackdown on welfare - "workfare",many have turned to collecting disability,they didn't like the jobs the government selected for them.

In one case,the husband and wife both turned to disability when their welfare was denied after 15 years on the program. They both qualified with mental disorder claims,the husband said he always got good and drunk when he had to be interviewed for his claim. I asked him why he would get drunk? He said alcohol dependency was an added plus when making a mental disorder claim. He also bragged to me that he beat the system,he seemed very proud of his achievement. Both the husband and wife lived in a beautiful area and on a lake. Simply put: they both could work if they relocated to the city where jobs were more plentiful but they decided that they could not give up their home on the lake.

I also know of people who are in great health who collect disability. They are bi-polar and their entire family collects benefits for one thing or another.

Unfortunately...many people play the system and that's especially true during hard times. America has an epidemic of back pain claims,I heard they have a two year waiting list. It seems like everyone I know has horrible back pain.. I wonder why back pain is so prevent in a modern society?

My wife has three crushed disks in her back and her hands and knees are riddled with arthritis. She could easily qualify for disability,now here's the difference. She's a charge nurse and she absolutely LOVES her work and her patients. Some day they will have to carry her out of there. When you love what you are doing and the pay you receive,collecting disability is not an attractive option as long as you can literally crawl into work.

Originally Posted by alan

An odd thing happened last night. I went to bed about 10:30 last night, which is actually early for me. Perhaps it was the imbibing of adult beverages that brought about my early retire for the night.
I was awoken by my ringing phone. The nature of my job sometimes includes work related phone calls in the middle of the night, so I answered the phone. It was my neighbor on the other end of the line, not work. She started rattling off her need to borrow another $20. I was trying to clear the sleep and alcohol induced cobwebs from my brain as she continued on. She mentioned that she still hadn't received her disability check and that was why she hadn't paid me back for the last $20. It was also the reason she needed $20 right now, so that she could fill a medical prescription. I looked at the clock, it was 1:04AM.

I told her that I didn't have $20 on me (truth), that I was sleeping (truth), and that I had been drinking and was in no condition to drive to an ATM (truth). She offered up her cousin as transportation. I replied as politely as a drunk woken from sleep at 1:00am could, and I told her that I couldn't help her out. She was almost insistent that I inconvenience myself at this late (or early) hour and assist her in her time of need. I respectfully declined again and we ended our phone conversation. I went back to sleep.
Now, I live in a fairly large metropolitan area, but I am unaware of any pharmacies that are open 24 hours a day, or even at 1:00am. Leastwise, not the legal kind. Perhaps one exists and I just don't know about it.
After last night, I am thinking she either does have some sort of mental disorder, or a drug habit. I can't think of any other reason for her to call me in the middle of the night asking for money. I suspect it is the latter.
The Bank Of alan is now closed.

Originally Posted by Binky

You know......I have a very bad back due from fall I took three decades ago. I have yet to file any sort of claim to steal money from taxpayers. Instead, I have and will for as long as I possibly can, continue to work as a cashier, until my boss no longer wants me there or my health won't allow it. I'd go crazy without that job.

Originally Posted by alan

After last night, I am thinking she either does have some sort of mental disorder, or a drug habit. I can't think of any other reason for her to call me in the middle of the night asking for money. I suspect it is the latter.
The Bank Of alan is now closed.