Disability Law Firm Heard & Smith Comments on New Myth-Shattering Columbia Business School Study on Social Security Disability (SSD) Abuse

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) February 25, 2014

Heard & Smith, a national disability law firm that concentrates on the disabled and the injured, is encouraging policy makers, legislators, journalists, media professionals and all others who want to trade urban legends and myths for empirical facts and evidence about America's so-called Social Security Disability (SSD) abuse epidemic, to review the just-released findings of the myth-shattering Columbia Business School study entitled “Unemployment Insurance and Disability Insurance in the Great Recession.”

The study, which was led by Columbia Business School Professor Andreas Mueller, explored the perception that a growing number of Americans are exploiting the Social Security Disability program by filing for SSD benefits as soon as their unemployment benefits expire. However, the results paint a vividly different picture, with only a 2% or smaller correlation between the two groups.

"Although we cannot rule out small effects, the takeaway here is we can conclude that there is no convincing evidence that workers whose unemployment benefits have expired apply for disability insurance on a large scale," commented Muller in a press release issued by Columbia Business School. "I hope that these findings will help alleviate certain questions and concerns about the current system and focus the debate on the aspects of reform most needed."

“The questions and concerns that Mr. Muller refers to are those that suggest – or in some cases, outright claim – that the SSD program is rife with abuse, and that most benefit-seekers are trying to bilk the federal government and, ultimately, American taxpayers,” commented Joshua C. Eyestone, an experienced SSD lawyer in Heard & Smith’s Social Security Disability practice group. “However, the truth is far less sensational, and it’s one that my colleagues and I experience on a daily basis: the vast majority of people applying for financial relief are lawfully entitled to do so per the terms and conditions of the SSD program.”

Added Mr. Eyestone: “What’s more, even with COLA increases, the monthly amounts that most individuals and families receive are typically a fraction of their former earnings, and hardly what anyone would fairly call an alternative source of income. These people paid into the program, and through no fault of their own, they’re obligated to depend on it now. Instead of marginalizing or discriminating against them, we should be supporting them so they can live the fullest life possible.”

Individuals who wish to learn more about SSD benefits can visit the Social Security Disability section of Heard & Smith’s website at http://www.heardandsmith.com/ssdi_ssi.html, which contains helpful articles, a glossary of SSD terms, SSD FAQs, links to additional SSD resources and more. Access to the section is free, and no sign-up is required.

For more information, contact Joshua C. Eyestone at jeyestone(at)heardandsmith(dot)com or 210-820-3737.

About Heard & Smith L.L.P.

Heard & Smith helps thousands of clients each year get the disability benefits they are entitled to. The national disability law practice group at Heard & Smith represents deserving clients in all 50 states. Heard & Smith specializes in representing the disabled in Social Security Disability (SSD), and Veterans (VA) Disability matters.

Learn more at http://www.heardandsmith.com/.

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