Dec 6, 2017

Allentown's Growth Industry



Yesterday I went to the Social Security Office, across from the prison, to discuss my retirement options. I was given number 199. In addition to retirement, Social Security also dispenses money for disability. I would say from the gray hair, there were about three of us contemplating retirement, all the others were there for disability. A few middle age men were carrying their fake canes. The canes aren't fake, it's the disabilities. I saw one such gentleman walk in from the parking lot, clearly the cane bore no weight, and was merely a prop. Most of the people waiting were quite young, in their twenties. Disability has been expanded to include mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, additive personality and anger management. I will say many of them did look angry to me. It was hard finding a parking space. Business also looked good at the prison. If Johnny Manana's had gotten these crowds....

reprinted since 2008 using various titles

6 comments:

  1. Representing social security clients, for SSD and SSI, I was quite taken aback when I had to represent a client at a determination hearing at the 4th Street location. I found the same conditions you did! I have represented clients in Bethlehem, Easton, Wilkes Barre and Northeast Philadelphia social security facilities and found what looked like abuses; but not to the extent of Allentown's participants. Something is deathly wrong with that office or the citizens of Allentown. What I found distressing was the fact that a lot of the customers had their whole families with them, [four or five kids in tow], and it was a daily outing for them. This alleged abuse seems to be systemic with the youth in Allentown. It is the new welfare fountain of entitlements. It is sad that this nation drains it's social security funds on people who can work, abuse the system, and are intelligent enough to navigate around social security requirements to receive a free government handout. The system is broke and needs a total overhaul!

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  2. fire@7:58, it is my observation that it has become the new welfare, and it's for life. sometimes there are multiple family members on it, and it has become a lifestyle of choice in some subgroups. i believe that people would be astounded if they knew the number of beneficaries in center city allentown.

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  3. Please let us know how much SSDI provides per Month. Then make the determination if its even worth it. Spoiler Alert: Nope.

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  4. It is not based on how severe your disability is or how much income you have. Most SSDI recipients receive between $700 and $1,700 per month (the average for 2017 is $1,171). However, if you are receiving disability payments from other sources, as discussed below, your payment may be reduced.

    I believe too, that you get money for dependent children.

    It's become a life style. Get the SSDI, you'll probably get Medicaid, and SNAP, maybe Section 8, do some work on the side, pay no taxes - this is how it works.

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  5. MM, its the alchemists and the sorcerers collective collaboration to keep those down down in there place!

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  6. Determinations of disability for SSD and SSI are not made at any SS office. That determination is mad by the Bureau of Disability Determination offices in Wilkes-Barre, Harrisburg and Greensburg. If people are going into any SS office, it is to apply for SS, SSD or SSI, or try to get those reinstated from a discontinuance.

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