Taxes paid on illegal immigrant’s earnings help pay Social Security and Medicare benefits for US Citizens. The accounts ballooned during the 1990s as illegal immigrants poured into the United States, and it represents about $520 billion in earnings paid to workers.

“They’re filling our coffers,” said Vincent Gawronski, an immigration expert and political science professor at Birmingham-Southern College. “It’s all about the money. The government doesn’t want to stop that flow. (Illegal workers) are paying into the system, not drawing down on it.”

Unauthorized workers are driving the growth of the suspense file — which provides a boon for the government because illegal immigrants pay taxes on their earnings but can’t, by law, later claim benefits.

The Charlotte NC Observer Begins a Series today on immigration – Read first installment here:

Share this article with

In 2005, the average length of time it took to get a hearing after a request for a hearing was 485 days (16 months) from the date one asked for a hearing. The average lengths of time to get a hearing (after a hearing is requested) was obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. The times are for each and every hearing office in the United States and Puerto Rico. Long delays in processing cases are the number one complaint leveled by claimants against the Social Security Administration.

Full article here:

Share this article with

Rick Weiss, a Washington Post Staff Writer reported today that new evidence
shows that CFS is actually a collection of five-plus conditions with varying genetic and environmental causes, scientists reported yesterday. There is an important common feature: The brains and immune systems of affected people do not respond normally to physical and psychological stresses.

See details here:

Share this article with

The L.A. Times reports that tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants are expected to abide by Uncle Sam’s rules by filing tax returns — with the hope of someday becoming U.S. citizens.

Though there is no way of knowing how many people are filing taxes in response to the national debate on immigration, Southern California tax preparers are seeing a steady stream of clients eager to be on record as taxpayers.

Many pay Social Security taxes on ID’s that are not their own.

See full story under this link:

Share this article with

From The Chicago Tribune: If you’re a veteran or in the military now, you may not know about all the benefits you’re entitled to. Even if you do, gobbledygook could stop you like a tank. Pick up a government publication and you might need a translator to find whether you’re eligible for some of the rewards of service and how to obtain them…

Don’t despair. There’s a load of practical help for you in print and on the Internet these days…
full article here:

Share this article with

The state of Massachusetts recently passed a law that makes major reforms to its health-care system. As of July 1, a new federal law would require anyone trying to sign up for Medicaid to show a passport, birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship. In this NPR audio interview, Scott Helman, political reporter for The Boston Globe, explains what the bill will do. Click this link:

Share this article with

The site at this link provides links to many rich sources of information about these serious and disabling conditions.

The complexity of these illnesses and and diagnosing the subtle symptoms can be a frustrating experience. Social Security may deny case claims that are not properly presented.

Click here:

Share this article with

The Social Security Administration’s disability program loses billions of dollars through overpayments and payments to ineligible beneficiaries, the agency’s Office of Inspector General found in a report issued this week. The report, requested by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, estimated overpayments of $5.1 billion identified between October 2003 and November 2005. The SSA discovered $1.9 billion through normal reviews. Read full details of USA Today Story here:

Share this article with

From the AARP magazine’s website comes this detailed explanation of various aspects of the Social Security disability system:

What Is Social Security Disability Insurance?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is one of the three basic protections provided by Social Security. The other two are Old Age Insurance and Survivors Insurance (OASI).

When a worker’s earnings are stopped or reduced for a year or more because of a severe impairment, the worker and eligible family members can receive monthly cash benefits from SSDI. Benefits continue until the individual dies or is able to work again.

The Social Security definition of disability is very strict. Workers are considered disabled if they cannot do any work in the economy because of their medical condition(s). The disability and the inability to work must last or be expected to last for at least a year or result in death.

Who Pays for SSDI?
Each of 144.2 million workers and their employers pays 6.2 percent of the worker’s wages, up to the taxable maximum ($87,000 in 2003) into OASDI. Another 14.6 million self-employed workers pay 12.4 percent (6.2 percent as employer and 6.2 percent as employee)

Much more at this link:

Share this article with