Today Blaise raises the issue of Social Security asking people with disabilities to pay back thousands in benefits when they are unable to do so. Follow the show on social media and subscribe to the show!
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Welcome to the Blaisin’ Access Podcast for Monday, September 18. I’m Blaise Bryant. This is a relaunched podcast amplifying the disability voice one story at a time. Let’s face it – we have a lot of collective work to do to make the world inclusive and accessible for all.
Today’s story focuses on the penalties people getting Social Security benefits while working can face. Justina Worrell is a 47-year-old woman who works part-time as a kitchen helper at an Ohio nursing home. She has cerebral palsy, an intellectual disability, and a heart condition. Worrell needed an artificial heart valve when she was 20. A year ago Justina made $862 a month. She received $1,065 per month in Social Security Disability benefits. In a letter the Social Security Administration claimed they were overpaying Worrell and wanted the money back. They asked Justina to either send a check or money order for $60,175.90 within 30 days. Talk about mission impossible! Unfortunately stories like this are all too common in the disability space. The very government program designed to help working disabled people penalizes them for wanting to contribute to society. Blaming beneficiaries for a nearly $25-billion deficit is not a practical and sustainable solution. My advice to anyone receiving benefits from Social Security is to meet with a Benefits Advisor in your area. We all need to do our part to make sure disabled people have access to jobs, along with resources to help them succeed. The full story is in the show notes.
If you have a story you’d like me to highlight on the show send it to me at [email protected]. Tell your friends about the Blaisin’ Access Podcast and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. I’d be grateful if you left a rating and review. Tune in for more disability news tomorrow. I’m Blaise Bryant. You are listening to the Blaisin’ Access Podcast. Have a great day!
 
News story: https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2023-09-16/social-security-overpays-billions-people-many-disability-demands-money-back
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