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A periodic commentary from a fellow american on his personal trials with disability, the government, politics, and the general state of affairs in the US, with maybe some artists' news thrown in - who knows what you may find here - we'll see!
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Government beauracracy is a strange animal. Example: When filing tax returns you get the money (whether your return was bogus or not) and then (maybe) you get investigated, for disability you get investigated (usually turned down), have to go through an up to two year battle and then you get paid. Kinda ass-backwards isn't it. The people who can already take care of themselves get the benefit of the doubt, the poor and disabled get the shaft. Need proof? Check out these statistics. I see them as quite alarming!
SSDI Claims/Applications Statistics:
Source: Multiple Sclerosis Society - SSDI/SSI wouldn't give me this information
...recent data (early 2004) indicates that nationwide, roughly 62% of initial claims for Social Security Disability Insurance were denied, and that most applicants who went on to file a written appeal called the "reconsideration" were also turned down. Only 16% of these second-level claims were approved.
The third level provides a face-to-face hearing before an administrative law judge called the ALJ hearing. This level represents the best chance of receiving a favorable decision. (Nearly 60% of recent hearing decisions were overturned in favor of the applicant.) However, no applicant is entitled to an ALJ hearing until Levels 1 and 2 have been completed.
IRS AUDIT STATISTICS:
Source- Internal Revenue Service Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ Percent audited in Fiscal 1996
Income of $25,000 to under $50,000 0.95
$50,000 to under $100,000 1.16
$100,000 and over 2.85
Schedule C (Sole Proprietorships)
Gross receipts under $25,000 4.21
$25,000 to under $100,000 2.85
$100,000 and over 4.09
Estate Tax Returns
Gross Estate under $1,000,000 7.85
$1 million to under $5 million 21.42
Over $5 million 49.33
IRS AUDITS ARE GOING DOWN: Expected 1998- 1.09%, down from 1.27% in 1997 and 1.67% in 1995 and 1996.
It needs to be noted that the IRS uses a list of red flags to determine who gets audited and that the refund is paid up front regardless. Looking at the statistics it seems like the more more money people make the more tricks they try to pull, thus sending up more red flags, and making it all the more difficult for the honest folk among us.
Right now I am in the second stage of the SSDI fiasco. The outcome is probably a forgone conclusion considering the statistics. There are also some new problems: due to cuts I am about to lose my food stamp allotment, and may never receive Medicaid coverage. (eligibility is tied to SSDI approval - as of January 1, 2004 the qualifying guidelines for Medicaid and food stamps have become much stricter - I wonder if defense spending and / or political agenda's have anything to do with this? - anyone remember the Vietnam War? I do!)
SSDI Claims/Applications Statistics:
Source: Multiple Sclerosis Society - SSDI/SSI wouldn't give me this information
...recent data (early 2004) indicates that nationwide, roughly 62% of initial claims for Social Security Disability Insurance were denied, and that most applicants who went on to file a written appeal called the "reconsideration" were also turned down. Only 16% of these second-level claims were approved.
The third level provides a face-to-face hearing before an administrative law judge called the ALJ hearing. This level represents the best chance of receiving a favorable decision. (Nearly 60% of recent hearing decisions were overturned in favor of the applicant.) However, no applicant is entitled to an ALJ hearing until Levels 1 and 2 have been completed.
IRS AUDIT STATISTICS:
Source- Internal Revenue Service Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ Percent audited in Fiscal 1996
Income of $25,000 to under $50,000 0.95
$50,000 to under $100,000 1.16
$100,000 and over 2.85
Schedule C (Sole Proprietorships)
Gross receipts under $25,000 4.21
$25,000 to under $100,000 2.85
$100,000 and over 4.09
Estate Tax Returns
Gross Estate under $1,000,000 7.85
$1 million to under $5 million 21.42
Over $5 million 49.33
IRS AUDITS ARE GOING DOWN: Expected 1998- 1.09%, down from 1.27% in 1997 and 1.67% in 1995 and 1996.
It needs to be noted that the IRS uses a list of red flags to determine who gets audited and that the refund is paid up front regardless. Looking at the statistics it seems like the more more money people make the more tricks they try to pull, thus sending up more red flags, and making it all the more difficult for the honest folk among us.
Right now I am in the second stage of the SSDI fiasco. The outcome is probably a forgone conclusion considering the statistics. There are also some new problems: due to cuts I am about to lose my food stamp allotment, and may never receive Medicaid coverage. (eligibility is tied to SSDI approval - as of January 1, 2004 the qualifying guidelines for Medicaid and food stamps have become much stricter - I wonder if defense spending and / or political agenda's have anything to do with this? - anyone remember the Vietnam War? I do!)
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Been bedridden 3 days - pain unbearable - no pain medication - paperwork piling up - kinda lost. I'm at a loss as to where to go next. Got stuff to do and can't get my brain to function enough to do it.
If confusion is the first step to knowledge, I must be a genius.
-Larry Leissner
If confusion is the first step to knowledge, I must be a genius.
-Larry Leissner
