I am a Freelance Paralegal & I assist disabled individuals file claims for disability benefits & appeals. I have been battling with the government to award benefits to a person that worked 30 years for the same employer. The decision made after the hearing was based on an 'error in law'. Basically, employees for the SSA refused to correct information that I believe would have resulted in a different outcome. We reported this information as being inconsisent with the claimant's medical & employment records. All appeal options were exhausted & we have been unable to have this claim reopened & reviewed to attach the omitted information into evidence. Unfortunately, the claimant recently passed away while waiting for a hearing date after filing a civil case in federal court. Where will the funds deducted from this person's income to pay social security taxes for 30 years go if not to their family? This is a matter of public interest & a clear violation of the Fourteenth Amendment for due process. This has been & continues to be problematic, every single day, all across this country. Claimants that lack support or knowledge to continue fighting will give up trying for benefits, paid for with their own blood, sweat, & tears, that they are rightfully entitled to, because of all the red tape & hoop jumping. Claimants often die while waiting for long, drawn out, unnecessary appeals for medical conditions that have an EXTREMELY high risk of ending in death. It should NOT be this complicated!!! This program was created specifically to avoid this issue & help support workers & their families when life altering events happen. When these claims are denied, who benefits from the money being left behind & where does it go?
