I don't know the SSD Regs - but perhaps you could buy things with the money that you can easily resell. If you're good at fixing things, buy an old wreck, slowly fix it up, and if you suddenly need cash, sell it. If you can't fix things, you could buy gold or something collectible that can sold back later for a small gain / small loss. Put the extra money into physical assets instead of the bank.

SS Disability is for people who are not able to work, or are not able to work enough to sustain themselves. The reason your savings are limited is because if you are able to save then you are receiving more than you need for sustanence.

Your options are:

1. Get a job where you can earn more than the SS.
2. Keep receiving a SS check and stop complaining about the free money I am giving you.

Point 1 is negated if his disability means he can't work. That's the whole point of the program. He also paid into the system. It's disability insurance. If you're going to whine about giving tax money to things you don't like, I'd like to complain about all of my tax money that's being used to bomb people and construct missiles. I'd rather it went to the OP.

If the situation is the same as in the UK, although freeloaders are often blamed (especially by the likes of the perpetually outraged Daily Fail), the amount of benefits fraud is actually tiny: under 1% of the amount paid out, IIRC. A far bigger problem is the lack of money coming in thanks to legal loopholes that allow tax avoidance and also the illegal problem of tax evasion, but when the numbers are considered, a disproportionate amount of effort is spent on targeting the small number of actual layabouts, which not only fails to address the problem but also causes untold collateral damage with people who need help not only being refused but being smeared as "workshy and feckless" to quote a phrase that's seen a rather disgusting amount of use recently.

As for the subject at hand, I'm not really sure what's to be gained by forcibly keeping people on the breadline and not rewarding frugality. Makes no sense, and comes across as rather punitive.

It's always easier to blame people and call them lazy then critically examine the way the system's setup.


Good point.

Too bad most of my previous post got lost...
I'm not talking about huge flatscreens and such either. But yes, sometimes having a car is the only doable way.
Remember we're talking about disabled people here who'll never have a booming career or any way to secure a higher income. And benefits are pathetically low.
Isn't 2000 ridiculous when going to the dentist and stuff costs several hundred? Not to mention higher costs like f.ex. fixing a roof. This is a serious pain even for working people who have no such limitations.
I say think of what you'd like yourself if you ended up in that position. Would you like to struggle to keep a roof over your head (assuming you could before) or would you like to experience the slightest bit of worthiness as a human being facing permanent limitations? Being alive per se does not give your life any meaning or reason to go on. And this can happen to any of us any day. That's how solidarity works and what we're paying for.
I don't know what you think, but having fully functioning limbs and other body parts (and hence being able to do stuff) is totally preferrable imo.

I agree with these two people above.

Good grief. Solidarity? And the principles of modern society are enlightenment, not entitlement. I'm happy to pay taxes to feed, clothe, and shelter someone with on disability. But I don't want to pay for that person's "traffic ticket" or new TV. Does that mean I'm not living up to the societal ideal? I don't think so.

How could such a political topic get so far?

I think certain opinions did in fact demonstrate solidarity isn't a given these days. Well, I've negated the fact it's an issurance he paid into, that he gets something back when he's in a tight spot is the purpose of it.
Persons are being punished for being frugal and consciously kept poor. In a situation where they can't help it. Good grief indeed. Other than that, we don't seem to disagree.

Political? Not so much imo. But I see why you bring that up.

Probably the most reasonable arguement to me, the OP never mentioned what timescale they were making these savings on but if you can save up to that limit then it's clear that you can support yourself and that somebody else will likely be in a situation where they need that oversight more; saying that you're being frugal to have money on hand for something like dental treatment or car repairs is very sensible but you can't expect the government to be able to provide the entirity of people claiming disability that large a financial blanket. If cuts can be made, especially to-day, they're likely to get made and whilst it might seem harsh when governments are looking to save money by cutting back such services someone's going to lose out somewhere; they'd rather ensure more people are getting by than less people are financially safe.

Lots of quotes!
Techincally, he/she will have to account for where that money came from. It can be seen as an asset which would definitely put them over their $1k-2k allowance.

When you are receiving money from the government, you are on wellfare. You have no privacy rights when given assistance because it's techincally their money.

Omg, me too! I make enough to pay my car insurance, pay two small utility bills, and then maybe food for 2 weeks. My parents are the absolute only reason I am not on the streets right now.

This is fraud. You can - and should - go to jail for it. Anything you own that can be sold for a profit - computers, burial plots, second vehicles, etc. - are all suppose to be claimed when you apply for disability. If you buy or aquire one after being approved, you have the responsibilty to contact the government and claim it then. No one actually does that, mind you, but you can be nailed for fraud if you don't. Making an actual effort to buy these things is most definitely wrong.

Then that 1% lives in my area. A lot of people aren't aware I am on SSI and will make comments about how they have intentionally attempted (and many succeeded) in getting assistance even though they had to lie through their teeth. And they use this money to buy expensive clothes, cars, etc. that they put in other people's names. I think the number is probably far higher then 1% but the other 30-40% who are using the system know how to hide it. I was astounded by how many people told me how to get more money, more benefits, and all sorts of stuff by lying. I'd rather struggle then go to jail however, so I have always played it by the book.

There is an issue with being stuck in the system once you enter - absolutely. However, being frugal doesn't give you the right to money you don't NEED. It's not for emergencies - it's to keep a roof over your head, water and electric on, and non-food items. EBT is for food assistance, Medicad/Medicare is for medical needs.

Where does that government get their money from?

So one has no right to privacy when getting a benefit that's supposed to be enough to survive, but nothing more. But one has a duty to have less than 2000. "Nice". Just as if the disabled should feel guilty about their condition.

I'm autistic, and I have to be conscious of my mental state when I'm out in public, or else I risk having a meltdown in front of everyone. With my truck I can get back and forth from college, and hopefully one day get a job that won't push me to the point of having a giant meltdown in front of everyone. That's why I'm in computer science - desk jobs without much social interaction.

The fact that I keep money in my account to pay for truck repairs, or if necessary, a speeding ticket (since they can and do arrest people for non-payment), it should be a given. I would be risking total failure if I didn't put money back for a rainy day event.

If it wasent for my wife working I would be living in a cardboard box. And to make matters worse my wifes work keeps giving her 1 or 2 days off a week because of lack of work.

The more I think about this thread the more I get angry. Right now I am trying to figure out what bills to pay and which bills are going to be late. Anyway I am done with this thread before I go into a rage!

Greg

What mostly infuriates me are cheats, it was very difficult for me to get onto disability even with a huge folder of evidence, with recommendation letters from multiple medical people and rehabilitation workers, yet i know of people with no problems at all that are on welfare, ill give one example of a member of my step fathers family, who i wanted to report but was threatened, with reprisals if i did, he was working weekends for cash in hand, paying no tax making over $500 for 2 days work, plus he's welfare cheque, he owned a house he purchased himself, and at least 5 blocks of land and 2 cars plus expensive music equipment, he was completely able of working and didnt require welfare, yet he seemed to be easily able to get welfare yet it took me years.

These are the type of people that cause problems for people with real problems, i have no idea how it is in the U.S. or any other country, but you need medical evidence plus signed documentation from your doctor, my question is why are doctors letting this pass or signing off on obvious cons, because you cant get disability without your doctor signing off on it.

Sorry, I think this counts as "political" and will have to lock it. Even though people have been generally well-behaved in this thread, it's only a matter of time before people start naming individual parties and then it gets ugly.