[Michael W. Harris]

I finally went to the Social Security Office on this past Tuesday. I had been waiting on a VA non-service connected claim but it is taking too long so it is likely that they will turn me down. I am only eligible for it because I was a Vietnam era veteran.

I worked enough to get $971.00 per month if I waited until 65. Tuesday, I was applying early so I will only get $700.00 per month. I am depressed. I asked the woman if I could apply for dis-ability until I turn 65. She said that I have too much money in the trust fund here in my name. I had all my documentation of seeking mental health treatment since 1992. Big bucks spent. Multiple hospitalizations. All the therapists' names and hospital names. It did not matter.

( asked the woman if the Social Security Office, meaning her, would advise me on what I should do. She said that they could not advise me.)

I hate these people. I have met veterans younger than me that got the non-service connected disability based on a bipolar disorder diagnosis. This particular veteran had a drug charge on his record (oxycodone). He had not been in the system anywhere near as long as I had. I believe that the whole system is based on corruption and bribery. If our government was worth spit, I would have gotten help in 2005 when I began seeking treatment at this VA in Lake City, Florida.

[Skeezyks]

I'm sorry you had this disturbing experience. I don't really know anything, in particular, about dealing with Social Security. But I do have the impression that, in order to get anywhere with them, one really has to have an attorney who is experienced in handling Social Security claims. That's the only way, it seems, people get what they need beyond basic retirement benefits.

Sucks dude. More ways to skin a cat. I know that we poor folks can’t get a fair shake. Did the best you can.

I actually thought about retiring to prison. I mean...it at times seems more appealing then struggling to get no where. Sorry. :/

[Michael W. Harris]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

Sucks dude. More ways to skin a cat. I know that we poor folks can’t get a fair shake. Did the best you can.

I actually thought about retiring to prison. I mean...it at times seems more appealing then struggling to get no where. Sorry. :/

I have thought about that also. I know that growing up in a middle class family did not give me the skills to survive on the streets. I have decided that if I ever end up on the streets I am going to start a fire in a Post Office. I have been told that messing with a Post Office will get me sent to Federal Prison.

[CaptainSensible]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

... have an attorney who is experienced in handling Social Security claims. That's the only way, it seems, people get what they need beyond basic retirement benefits.

Absolutely!! The Social Security ppl have pressure to keep the numbers down, and often tell people they're not entitled to anything when they are.

Here in UK we also have things like the CAB- they don't charge and they have the opposite incentives: to get people all the stuff they are entitled to. Many charities also offer a specialist benefits application support service, so there may be such free things in the US too. Eg. through Vets charities, homeless/poverty charities etc. Does anyone know of any?

[RubyRae]

If you two have so many struggles with just basic daily living do you think you could survive for many years in prison?

If you think life is tough now,what would it be like locked up with people that are not going to GAF what your issues are?They will eat you alive once they figure out your weaknesses.

Originally Posted by Michael W. Harris

I have thought about that also. I know that growing up in a middle class family did not give me the skills to survive on the streets. I have decided that if I ever end up on the streets I am going to start a fire in a Post Office. I have been told that messing with a Post Office will get me sent to Federal Prison.

Yeah, I thought about club fed myself with a solitary confinement clause.

[Michael W. Harris]

Originally Posted by RubyRae

If you two have so many struggles with just basic daily living do you think you could survive for many years in prison?

If you think life is tough now,what would it be like locked up with people that are not going to GAF what your issues are?They will eat you alive once they figure out your weaknesses.

I have been to prison, State of Florida Department of Corrections. It is a country club compared to Orange County Jail in Orlando. I have heard that Federal Prison is even better than DOC. My first crime was to bust a hole in the window of the Federal Building in Orlando, at 9:30 p.m. (no one was in the building) and jump into the hole. My motivation was to get the Feds to arrest me so that I could show my books by Dr. Colin Ross and Dr. Arthur Arkin to a Judge in Federal Court. I had written Senators, Congressmen, newspapers, etc. before I did that. Dr. Arkin's book on Sleep Talking proves that there is a conspiracy in regards to dissociative disorders. I am not sure if the conspiracy is to cover up knowledge about hypnosis or to cover up how easy it is to traumatize a newborn to four year old toddler. At that time I was fed up with mental health professionals and lawyers.

Lawyers kept telling me "You cannot sue over mental health! We don't know anything about the brain yet." I said, "If they don't know anything then they should not charge me $100.00 per hour!"

I was held in jail for 18 months without bond or trial until I plead out to first degree burglary and making a false report about planting a bomb. I did neither but you would have had to be there and witness the dialogue to understand what happened. I thought that I had written enough people to not be too badly hurt. I was wrong.

[RubyRae]

It's sad that you have gone to such lengths to share your info.

Why not just self publish a book on Amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-acc...opic=200260520

[RubyRae]

Originally Posted by RubyRae

It's sad that you have gone to such lengths to share your info.

Why not just self publish a book on Amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-acc...opic=200260520

Ya know,the more I think about it the more I think that's actually a good idea for you.You could write your life story,from childhood up until the present time,plus all the things you have been trying to get professionals to listen to.

I think it would be therapeutic for you.Plus,you never know who may buy/read your book and be influenced by it.And you might actually make some money in the process.It's free to self publish on Amazon btw.And anyone can do it.

There's ways to get things done without it being illegal,destructive or violent.People would be more inclined to actually pay attention and listen to you if you just go about it all in a different way.Haven't you ever heard the saying "you can catch more flies with honey?"

[KYWoman]

Michael, I feel your pain every day. I've been to 3 federal hearings WITH disability legal representation in the past 8.5+ years. I've even had success with the lawsuit I filed against SSA May 5, 2016. Unfortunately, the ALJ chose to ignore the federal remand by a US District Court. Three times my medical records were IGNORED. US District Court said this is against the law! Appeal was filed Jan 17, 2018 and I'm probably not gonna survive the process. It takes anywhere from 12 - 18 months for the Appeals Council to get around to viewing your case due to the sheer numbers of cases in the ONE office in Falls Church, VA.

All 3 lawyers were very confident about my case based upon my medical records, etc. My current law firm has a very high disability success rate and they are very unhappy with the blatant bias the ALJ demonstrated in my most recent hearing (Dec 14, 2017). The fact that the decision was rendered in less than 10 days speaks volumes. The arrogance, sarcasm, & condescension displayed at the hearing and in the documented decision matters not. This particular ODAR office is notorious for denying mental health cases. In previous lawsuits against this office, the Feds point at the state and the state points at the Feds with nothing resolved. GOV wins and humans DIE.

We baby boomers DESERVE what we paid. Many of us have worked hard all our lives, lived within our means and chosen to be accountable for our actions! The lack of accountability in our society and especially in our government today is disappointing to say the least. The best I can do is keep fighting, though I want to give up every single day! Its hard to keep fighting when you've lost everything.

I've been homeless for 1 year and 38 days. I haven't worked since June 4, 2008. I owned my own home and never missed a mortgage payment in 19 years.....until I became homeless. My credit score had never been below 825 until I became homeless! I had the support of family and friends until I became homeless...just because I have a mental illness. I AM A SURVIVOR and I choose to keep fighting. Don't give up! Keep fighting the VA and SSA for your rights. They are counting on us to give up!

[Michael W. Harris]

Originally Posted by RubyRae

Ya know,the more I think about it the more I think that's actually a good idea for you.You could write your life story,from childhood up until the present time,plus all the things you have been trying to get professionals to listen to.

I think it would be therapeutic for you.Plus,you never know who may buy/read your book and be influenced by it.And you might actually make some money in the process.It's free to self publish on Amazon btw.And anyone can do it.

There's ways to get things done without it being illegal,destructive or violent.People would be more inclined to actually pay attention and listen to you if you just go about it all in a different way.Haven't you ever heard the saying "you can catch more flies with honey?"

I tried to write a book, similar to "Mommy Dearest". The material that I sent to the Colin Ross Institute and the Sirdran Institute was my initial preparation for writing the book. But I was isolated for ten years here in Lake City before I moved into the Dom in 2013. That isolation caused severe depression and trying to write the book caused severe depression. I drink when I am severely depressed. I gave up the idea of writing the book.