Honoring the Beneficiaries of Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 26, 2017
Social Security is committed to the principles and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which improves the lives of our beneficiaries and our employees who have disabilities.
We also want you to see and hear from the people who rely on Social Security disability benefits to thrive as active members of our communities. Our Faces and Facts of Disability website highlights the real life stories of people who have disabilities.
One person we are featuring on our Faces and Facts of Disability website is Lynne Parks. She is an artist from Baltimore, Maryland. First diagnosed with metastatic fibrosarcoma at age 14, she has lived with this illness for nearly 35 years. It started in her face and moved to different parts of her body, including her abdomen and leg. She also has various tumors on her shoulder and arm.
Inflammatory responses, infections, and new tumors are complications that Lynne deals with every day. “Because of the tumors, I have limited use of my left arm,” Lynne said. “I have weakness in my legs. There’s fatigue because my immune system has taken such a big hit from the cancer and the cancer treatments. I get sick all the time. There might be a day that I can be at home and resting and I’ll try to make the best of it. I’ll wake up, fix breakfast and eat, and that takes a while because of my physical limitations, but also because of my first tumor that was in my face.”
Having been helped by Social Security, Lynne tries to help others. “I’m also helping people who have issues learn to cope with them, because they see in me someone as a role model, essentially. Life without Social Security benefits, it’s a horror story, because I imagine myself on the streets.”
The disability benefits Lynne receives are a crucial resource for her quality of life. Our disability programs continue to be a mainstay in the lives of many people — people just like you. Social Security disability beneficiaries are among the most severely impaired people in the country. It’s something that can happen to anyone.
We invite you to learn the facts about the disability insurance program, and see and hear these stories of hardship and perseverance at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts.
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Tags: Disability
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Kathleen M.
I was on Disability for about 12 years until the day that my Mother passed away in 1916. All the money that I inherited caused a down fall. I now have to pay for a lot of my medical expenses on my . This is a real challenge for me.
I have such medical issues and fibromyalgia, spondylitis, fibrosis(never smoked), a hearing loss from birth with colestatoma and several ear surgery’s. My hearing loss was difficult to deal with all of my life. I ha wear very powerful hearing aids. Not those nice aids that you put into the ear and no one knows or even the ones that are r chargeable that I can not have.
Life did not come easy and has put me into a kind of life where I as an independent person, puts all of my hopes and dreams into my every day and try to get out there and do the best I can with what I have an what mobility I have. I have learned to be the self independent person that I am. I love that I can also help other people that have health issues to cope nd feel good about their lives as well. Life is out there to be lived.
Kathy T.
I did file an appeal but I didn’t hear anything back in. I don’t know what to do help me please somebody tell me what to do I’m gonna wash I have spent 2 1/2hours on hold three different times for my appeal to check on it and got nobody on the phone
Kathy T.
Can you or anyone help me. I’ve been on disability for 10 years and I’ve been getting my widows benefits probably seven. I have lupus and every other autoimmune disorder that exists. I also found out that I also have a blood clotting disorder which cost me to have five amputationsand end up with losing my leg above the knee yeah put my foot on the other leg so I’m in a wheelchair in a nonhandicap accessible apartment. My parents both passed away about three years ago and they left me a little bit of money and in there Will said I hope they could put it down on a house. The IRS didn’t tax me on that money but I didn’t know I couldn’t havemore than $2000 in my account. So you have taken away my disability check in it’s entirety and another $46 from my widows benefit check. Lady at Social Security said they would take a percentage of my disability check that they would take the whole check and put on my widows check how my supposed to live The money I inherited is been completely depleted and I don’t know how I’m gonna pay my bills help I didn’t appeal but I haven’t Heard anything. I need help I have like eight dollars in the bank on my bills are past due and I have no food who am I supposed to do this in there can somebody help me I don’t see how you can take entire disability check and then part of my widow benefits check at the same time. Help please
R.F.
Hello Kathy, we apologize for the inconveniences. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal records via this blog. Please continue working with your local office. You can request to speak with the office manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of your situation. If you are unable to visit your local servicing office, you may call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks.
Kathy T.
Mr. Fernandez,
Thank you very much I appreciate your response. I will try again to get a hold of the office.
Restituto D.
sir,madam.
I am asking what benefits for social security? I am a son of wwII veteran’s? I am Asking you my parent’s both die both never to received any benefit from va and your offices? they are both applied services connected and none services connected due to none equity? during yhe illnesses of father’s in 1980 I am 16 years old,attending in schools,unmarried child from 1980 up to 2012 at age of 47 years I am indigent dependents survivors son? sir I am Asking you again what benefits that I am entitled to received social security benefits ?how to get insurance claim numbers at your offices? under va xc 17315982
aside from that how I can get unclaimed insurance at your offices?
Please advise
R.F.
For security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or visit your local Social Security office. If you’re living outside the United States, contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Thanks!
essam e.
my great usa with its ssa is always great my god bless
Restituto D.
sir, I am son of wwII veteran’s my Father applied services connected of malignant malaria in 1944 in 1952 he applied at va manila it was denied for a reason not equity at that time in 1948 ,1953 he suffering the same illnesses against apply at va the same reason denied for none equity until 1980/1981/1982/1983 admitted to hospital for suffering of many illnesses cerebrovascular accident,pneumonia, sir, we can npt denied of the truth the illnesses of myfather in 1944 malignant Malaria due not cute it is constructed Another that he suffering in 1980 this all illnesses contributing to his death in 1985 cardiovascular arrests the untimely to his death in 1985.it is services connected.
sir,I am asking can I get ssn at your offices and benefits DUE to my parents both deaths both not to received any benefit from u.s.govt. what he served during wwII when Philippine territory of America. I am the youngest son veterans at the age of 52 years old helpless. son
R.F.
Individuals living outside the United States contact their local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Thanks.
alyce c.
I have been on private disability since for 4 or 5 years now. I have been before a judge, and appealed. I have all my medical records and according to a psychiatrist, psychologist, primary care physician I can’t perform my job anymore. Also, a neuropsych evaluation supports this .
Not to mention degenerative disc disc disease in my spine, and toe. Arthritis in my back and knees make it very painful day to day. AND YET I HAVE BEEN DENIED. MY PERSONAL LTD, IS LOOKING FOR THE BURDEN TO BE SHARED, SO IS MY FORMER EMPLOYER.
I CAN’T WIN; I DON’T UNDERSTAND; DOES EVERYONE THINK SSDI IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WANT? BY THIS TIME I WOULD BE MAKING A LOT MORE MONEY, BE ABLE TO PAY FOR VACATIONS, FEEL A CONTRIBUTING PART OF SOCIETY. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?
Anonymous
Thank you.
Evangeline J.
I signed up for Survivors benefits in September. My husband passed on September 13, 2017. He was due a check for the 3rd of September but never received it. I spoke with someone from the previous facility that was getting his check and was told that it was returned to SSA, but SSA told me they have no record of it being return. I was told that the issue would be looked into and that I would receive that check but so far I have not heard anything back from SSA. Can I get an update on issue? My husbands name is, Franklin C. Jones, and his social is,*** – ** – ****
R.F.
Thank you for contacting us, Evangeline. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal records via this blog. You may call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sometimes it might be best to visit your local Social Security office.
Antonio T.
I was retired 7 years ago. I’m 72 almost 73. I thouth to work on health care becouse i am medical doctor from Cuba 30 years. In USA have not my board certification .My situation isthat suffered an Stroke bye hemorragie cerebral. And left on me memories disturbies; and limltations on my rigth arm and leg.my question: For my condition have rigth applay to Social Security Desability. Beside my chek from SS is poor. I am american citizen and live at USA 19 years ago. Please i need orientation. Thanks.
R.F.
Hi, Antonio. If a person has reached his or her full retirement age and is receiving Social Security retirement, they will not be eligible for disability benefits. The Supplemental Security Income or SSI is a needs based program that pays benefits to individuals age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. Please read our publication about the SSI program for more information. To see if you’re eligible, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks.
Juan C.
A cambio de que es esta propuesta por que quieren que haga eso y si yo no acepto esa propuesta en que me afecta??? Diganmelo srs