Social Security Disability and The Next-Door Neighbor Syndrome

My neighbor got disability benefits immediately and there’s nothing wrong with him!

Everyone seems to know someone who was approved for benefits much faster than their case and doesn’t deserve it nearly as much as they do.  Although there are some people who get Social Security benefits that don’t need them or obtained them fraudulently, I believe it’s less widespread than people think.  Social Security just doesn’t pay that much, which means that anyone wanting to defraud the system is probably not a master criminal. 

Social Security Errs on the Denial Side

Social Security also knows that it has the reputation of having people on disability who are not disabled.  As a result, they put tremendous time and resources into making sure that the people who receive benefits are actually disabled.  From my experience, Social Security errs on the side of denying benefits rather than granting them if there’s a question of legitimacy of the claim.  More importantly, focusing on people you don’t think deserve benefits is only going to make you miserable.

Some Things to Consider

Impairments Differ

First, what is your neighbor’s impairment?  Many disabled people don’t look disabled.  People with back problems can usually do most activities for a short period of time.  Other conditions such as heart problems or mental issues aren’t going to be noticeable unless you’re with the person for an extended period of time or if you catch them on a bad day.  Perhaps you saw your neighbor mowing his lawn.  What you may not have seen was the two days he spent recovering in bed afterwards.  The high point of your neighbor’s day may be walking to the mailbox and saying hello to you.  Just because he doesn’t look as bad as you feel doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve disability benefits.

Differences in Age and Job Training

Second, there are many non-illness based factors when it comes to Social Security.  Age is a huge factor.  It is much easier to get benefits after you turn fifty.  Education and past work also matter. If you worked doing manual labor your entire life, are now over fifty and can’t do that sort of work anymore, Social Security is probably not going to decide that you need to train for a new job.  If you’re thirty and have a high school education, Social Security is going to make an effort to identify jobs that you could still perform or train to do.

What Exectly is Quick?

Third, how long did the neighbor’s case actually take?  You may have heard that your neighbor was approved quickly.  In Social Security benefits, speed is relative.  If he was expecting it to take three years and it only took two, he was approved for benefits more rapidly than expected.

Luck

Finally, the biggest factor of all is luck.  Maybe your neighbor’s medical records came in more quickly and had better information.  Maybe your neighbor’s examiner and medical reviewer looked at the case on a good day.  Maybe your neighbor’s condition is one that Social Security approves more easily than others.  These are not things within your control.

Focus your time and energy on your own case.  Talk to an attorney.  Every case is different.  Comparing yourself to others does not improve your chances of winning benefits.