I recently read a news report entitled "As unemployment benefits end, non-workers turn to disability." It seems as if those whose unemployment benefits have run out are turning to asserting some sort of disability to receive SS payments.
That got me thinking.
As you may recall, my current squeeze is an intake clinician at a mental health hospital (certifications out the kazoo). She interviews patients and posits an initial diagnosis, then recommends for or against hospitalization. Having done this for thirty years, the stories she can tell! (Many involving the same people she first saw thirty years ago.)
Anyway, my scheme starts with an advertisement:
"Unemployment run out? You may be eligible for disability payments"
People call for an appointment. They come in for an interview. A number are selected for several counseling sessions. Those that cannot be readily cured after, say, five (paid) sessions are recommended to Social Security as being afflicted with long-term, or permanent, mental defect or disease, thereby assuring they get something coming in every month from SS Disability.
This is not meant to be a scam on Social Security (wink, wink). There is, no doubt, a reason these people can't find a job. That reason may very well be organic, schizophrenic or other psychotic disorder, an affective disorder, mental retardation, anxiety, somatoform, addiction, autism, or simply that they smell funny. If the individual IS afflicted with any of these, he or she needs an advocate to help them get that for which they paid during their working years.
As I'm continually impressed with the breadth of knowledge found on this group, and each person's ability to point out the flaws in the simplest plans, I'm soliciting comments on the above idea.
Thanks in advance to all who want to share.