Monday, April 13, 2009

State Cuts Delay U.S. Benefits, Official Says

Due to layoffs and furloughs of state employees, tens of thousands of severely disabled American’s benefits are being delayed. This according to a New York Times article dated April 13, 2009. Commissioner of Social Security Michael J. Astrue made the statement on Sunday that governors are hurting their states by trying to help balance budgets. He also says that states don’t save money by lay offs or furlough, they just hurt disabled people who need their money.

Mr. Astrue said that the Social Security system is so backed up with disputed claims that people may wait years for hearings. President Obama’s stimulus bill gave $500 million to help “reduce the backlog of disability claims.” Congress could take action to have the federal government take over the work that is performed by the states.

I think this is disgraceful. States saving money at the expense of disabled Americans. The government is supposed to take care of disabled people, not hold their benefits just to “balance the budget.” Just when I think the government has reached their low, they go even lower.

3 comments:

  1. I think the way the economy is right now is horrible and it could've been stopped a long time ago. I think it is disgraceful too. People in the gov't only care about themselves it seems and it's not right.
    This comment is a few days late.

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  2. I agree. It makes me sad to think those that have lived hard lives anyway, now have one more thing to worry about.

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  3. I agree with both of these posts and the main article. It shouldn't be this hard for disabled vets.

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