Bizarre, Congress, Politics, Society

No Comprendo: Federal Government Approved “Disability” Payments to Puerto Ricans Who Cannot Speak English . . . in Puerto Rico

220px-US-SocialSecurityAdmin-Seal.svgJust when you think that the federal government could not be more moronic in the spending of money, you read a story like this. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has been approving disability benefits for hundreds of Puerto Ricans because they do not speak English. However, these “disabled” individuals are living in a predominantly Spanish-speaking territory. Having worked for the Puerto Rico House of Representatives years ago, the story seemed to me a belated April Fool’s joke but it appears to be true.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that the SSA was misapplying a rule that is 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. I am not sure of the basis for the original rule as a form of disability, but speaking Spanish in Puerto Rico should have been obvious to anyone as not a disability — even in the often twisted logic of bureaucrats. However, the SSA decided that a person applying for disability in Puerto Rico who cannot speak English “may increase his/her likelihood of receiving disability benefits.” What is equally bizarre is that the agency does not even keep track of how many beneficiaries who receive disability insurance for not being able to speak English.

The OIG located 218 such cases of Puerto Ricans were awarded disability due to “an inability to communicate in English.” This included hearings where people were asked to speak, read, write, and understand English. (That itself would appear a curious hearing since the person needs only fail to respond to English and not read or write in English to presumably show this particular “disability.”).

Once again, however, there is no indication that anyone will be fired or disciplined in any way for this waste of money.

141 thoughts on “No Comprendo: Federal Government Approved “Disability” Payments to Puerto Ricans Who Cannot Speak English . . . in Puerto Rico”

  1. Squeeky,
    So, what do you think should be done about the ‘impending’ SS crash?

  4. Well, it isn’t exactly like there are a bunch of jobs available for whatever percentage of the disabled are slackers. Particularly with 10 million+ illegal aliens in the country. The average check was $1,146 in 2013. That is a marginal income any way you cut it. The poor people who my BFF Fabia Sheen, Esq., an attorney, sees spend all of their money pretty quickly each month. The grocery store gets it, and the landlords, and the utility companies, medical providers, and the gas stations. Sooo, it isn’t like your average disability recipient is gambling in the stock market, and buying vacation homes outside the country.

    As far as fraud, my GUESS would be that there are probably more people who deserve it and don’t get it, then people who get it and don’t deserve it.

    Squeeky Fromm
    Girl Reporter

    1. It appears that JT has deleted a few comments, including one I commented on. I am going to have to start quoting directly.

  6. DBQ

    I can read pretty well. Well enough to find that your comment was lacking facts, clarity, and was intentionally misleading. I hope you didn’t kick too many puppies in frustration that I didn’t put more distance between you and the villain. However, it was a good effort in setting hair on fire.

    Nice of you to focus on the important details, though. Impressive.

    May I present for your consideration another villain on your list of miserable moochers……try Paul Ryan. He was a recipient from the age of 16 through 18. Used it for college.

    P,S, Obama wasn’t president then.

  7. Paul, whatever are you yakking about? I don’t see any comment in which I diagnosed someone as “deranged”. Need some coffee?

  8. 2002 http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/2002/charts.pdf
    2007 – http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/2007/sect01.pdf

    2002-07 increase by 24%
    2008 – 2013 increase by 20%.

    I am all for cracking down on fraud as well. But actually, I think the system does a good job considering its size. But of course, there will always be those that try to game the system. Overall, it is not easy, and I would say often times very difficult, to get on SSA disability benefits.

    Nick, I commend you on your part in exposing the fraud.

  9. inga – I find your use of the word ‘deranged’ when speaking about someone who is suicidal a little more than over the top and offensive. You are not qualified to diagnose anyone over the computer much less in person.

    1. Whenever Mental Illness comes up on this Blog in a Cruel Way I find it very offensive. My Mother was Mentally Ill an I had to keep her from committing Suicide all summer long from the time I was 13 so I don’t find it Humorous. None of us knows what the other suffers so I wish we could stop being so cruel.

  11. Well, I am not surprised. Do y’all remember this one???

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHVO66AS9oM

    “I don’t want to grow up” holds true for ‘adult baby’ Stanley Thornton. The 30-year old California resident has been living most of his adult life as if he were a baby – wearing baby clothes, diapers, and being fed out of a bottle. Although this is an example of a well-documented psychiatric syndrome known as paraphilic infantilism, Thornton’s case drew particular attention when he was featured on a National Geographic reality television show earlier this year. The show revealed that he has been receiving SSI disability benefits for the previous ten years, all the while being cared for by an older woman who was also receiving SSI, a program designed to supplement the incomes of the disabled or otherwise under-supported.

    Thornton argued that his adult baby lifestyle had nothing to do with his eligibility for SSI, which he claims stems from post-traumatic stress syndrome, back problems, depression, ADHD and other factors. He was confident that all of his disabilities were unarguably documented. As for Coburn’s referral to wood-working skills, he dismissed it as misconstrued by the filming, and states that his website requires very little maintenance.

    The official investigation into Thornton’s SSI eligibility ended recently when Thornton received a letter from the SSA stating that his disability status had not been found to have changed, a result which was proudly shared on his blog and in an email to Fox News. Thornton had threatened to kill himself if denied disability benefits, and criticized the waste of money in the way his case was investigated.

    http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/blog/adult-baby-will-remain-on-disability-benefits

    Squeeky Fromm
    Girl Reporter

  12. Ingannie, you beat me to it on the drug addiction link. See also http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR2013-02-di-01.html. I believe the law was changed back in the mid 90’s, as the law previous to that allowed benefits for drug addictions.

    There is also a great Social Security Law Wiki on all aspects of social security. https://social-security-law.wikispaces.com/.

    Thanks for the link. This post really should be changed as it is misleading. By the time you get to the 5th step, you have already shown that you have a medical impairment or combination of impairments that are severe.

    Neverthless, the full story is still disturbing. It is a moot issue in my neck of the woods.

  13. I have had multiple back surgeries, some failed and then applied for SSDI after working for 45 years from the age of 15 to the age of 60. I was approved for SSDI first try within a couple of months. I’m forced to reveal this as Spinelli continues to cast aspersions on my disabilty. That is low, vicious and vile. But not a surprise, this is the character of this person. I suggest that if he truly thinks I am faking my disability he calls the SSA and contact my daughter’s friend and attorney she took the Wisconsin bar with, who works in the SSA fraud unit. I will be happy to post the website for him.

  15. 2 herniated cervical disks would get an applicant DENIED under the criteria for Disabilty. Spinal issues must be FAR more advanced and serious than two herniated cervical disks which respond well to surgery. As for work ethic, yeah sitting in a car eating Cheetos while spying on people is real hard work.

  17. Karen, Being on the dole can be a touchy subject. Under this President, I probably would qualify for the dole. I have 2 herniated cervical disks that cause a lotta pain, numbness, and will require surgery. But, I have a work ethic, like yourself. I just work through pain, not sit on my fat ass. I have pride and I know you do as well. Loved the funny stuff from your dad, BTW.

  18. She added some extra zero’s, I’m sure it was an honest mistake on her part, you’re such a mean girl DBQ.

  19. 66.1 % percent of those collecting SS benefits are retirees. 15% are on Disability. 4.2 % are spouses. 7.4% are children. 7.2 % are widows and widowers.

  20. @ Wade

    So maybe your ex BIL was disabled by illness or he was a lying cheat.

    Since you can’t read. HUSBAND’S ex brother in law. Before we got married and not related to me. I could draw a diagram but you probably wouldn’t understand that either.

    Yes. Lying cheat. As well as a convicted child molester, his own daughter. I suppose the illness in addition to being an alcoholic was mental illness.

    Nevertheless. SSI SSDI . BOTH come from the Social Security fund and are often fraudulent. It is easier and easier to qualify for disability and especially so if you are a protected class. Plus as I pointed out previously the surviving spouse who collects benefits can be multiple people. If the deceased was married for 10 years. Gets divorced. Gets married again for 10 years. Gets divorced. Is married again…..it is possible for THREE women (or men) to collect survivors benefits. Aaaall aboard the gravy train!!!!!

    LOL Happypappies thinks there are 50 BILLION people collecting Social Security Benefits in the United States. /facepalm.

Comments are closed.