National Organization of Social Security Claiments' Representatives

More than 14 million American workers depend on the Social Security Disability Insurance program for life-sustaining funds needed to help pay their basic living expenses. Yet recent media attacks have tried to color opinions of this effective social insurance program that provides much-needed economic security and access to health care for individuals whose impairments are so severe that they cannot work.

As someone who has advocated for and represented Social Security Disability claimants for more than 30 years, I'm more than familiar with the facts and figures. But more importantly, I've heard the life stories of countless neighbors here in Ohio and know the truth about the SSDI benefits -- they are a vital safety net for American workers. Take John, age 47, for example. He had his own tree-cutting business and, when he was in too much pain, tried working as a salesman at Kmart. John developed herniated discs in both his neck and lower back. Objective medical tests proved that his herniated discs were severely affecting nerves in both his left arm and leg. John's pain means that he can barely move, needs to change position every 15 to 20 minutes and is brought to tears several times a day. John's benefits will allow his family to keep their home.

BY MICHAEL P. BOYLE, ESQ.

I wrote last week about an NPR story, “Unfit for Work: The Startling Rise of Disability in America” (see http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/). In response to the story, eight former Commissioners of SSA issued a joint response (see http://nosscr.org/open-letter-former-commissioners-social-security-administration).

The past few weeks have seen dramatic, sensationalized media reports about the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, based on anecdotes, half-truths and misrepresentation of facts. The National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) is compelled to set the record straight about the program – which serves as a vital resource for millions of Americans.

In a letter dated April 4, 2013, eight former Commissioners of the Social Security Administration have expressed their concerns about the very misleading and inaccurate series that was broadcast last week on NPR. That letter appears on our website.The former Commissioners have presented the facts that should have been reported. We and others in the disability community are continuing to work hard on correcting the misinformation and errors that the series contained.

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, of which NOSSCR is a member, has published a response, "Unfit for NPR - Let's Get the Facts Straight on Disability" which is posted on CCD's webpage. Over 100 groups have signed on to this joint statement.

The former SSA Commissioners' open letter to NPR was featured on MSNBC Friday April 5, 2013, on All In with Chris Hayes. Immediate past Commissioner Michael Astrue was featured in the segment and did a wonderful job of articulating the concerns with NPR's series and pushing back against many of the misconceptions about the programs' growth. Rebecca Vallas, Esq. of Community Legal Services joined him in the segment, with Avik Roy of the Manhattan Institute.

You can watch the video online: it is in two segments, one titled "Deconstructing the Jobs Numbers" and the other "Disability is Not the New Welfare."