The Efficiency of Government Services

[yella_dawg]

I've been trying to get Social Security Disability for the last year. A severe back injury has left me barely able to stand. When I go into a Social Security office, it reminds me of a third-world agency. Poorly maintained and not particularly clean, staff is harried and overworked, basically a disgrace to have such an establishment as part of the public face of our government. (This may not be universal, but it applies to the two offices I've been in.)

Yesterday I spent twenty seven minutes on the phone, almost all of it on hold, trying to find out the status of my claim (national 800 number). I was referred to the local office. I spent three and a half hours hitting redial every fifteen seconds only to finally get a recording telling me the office had closed. This morning, I was lucky. I only dialed for forty five minutes before I got through to the switchboard. I found out my paperwork had been lost. The lady I talked to was understanding and kind, but the overall experience was a nightmare.

This is what government cutbacks have bought us. How many needy Americans are ignored by a system this overwhelmed? I think we should give a week's cost of the Iraqi war to SSA to improve their service and working conditions.

[demnan]

1. My brother went through this

trying to get a disability claim. They always lose the paperwork! I've never known anyone whose paperwork shows up the first time. After waiting 6 months I found out what you have to do from a Congressional staffer. Here's what you do.

Redo the entire paperwork. But this time, send a copy to your Congressman and Senators. If you don't know who they are go to the House website (http://www.house.gov) and the Senate Website (http://www.senate.gov) where you can look up this information.

Usually your Congressional office has a local office in your area. Call and find out who is the one who handles Social Security or Disability claims. Most Congresscritters have a full time person who does this! Send your information to this person's attention at whichever address they prefer. This will expidite your claim.

It doesn't matter if your Congresscritters are Republicans or Democrats, because they all have to help you.

I hope this helps as I've been there and done that.

[yella_dawg]

3. Thanks!

I'll give that a shot. I'm one of the rare Texans that actually has a human congressional rep.

While I'm thinking about it, Fuck Tom Delay. Just wanted to say that.

Thanks for the tip!

[demnan]

4. Having worked at the House of Representatives

I second that. Fuck Tom Delay - and the weasel he rode in on. (but even he has people who help their constituents with stuff like this.) We wrote to my brother's congressman Cong. Tom Davis (R - VA) and as much as a turd as he is, his staffers did help expidite my brother's claim.

[yella_dawg]

5. I just got off the phone with the Rep's office.

They're sending out a privacy release, and they're going to get right on this. Wow!! Thank you so much. I'd never have thought of trying this without your advice.

[Jim__]

2. It's not just government services

About 10 years ago, I had Aetna as my HMO. The office that handled my claims moved. I went to the doctor, he mailed the claim onto the old office, so, they refused the claim and said I wasn't covered. Note, the only change had been that their office moved. So, I tried to call them to straighten it out. I tried to call for 2 weeks; and never spoke to a humna being, never got to describe my problem. I had to go to HR, and they got through on a separate number.

Recently, I didn't receive my mortgage payment coupon (for February). I called my morgage company. I tried every optionon their menu and went down 2 or 2 submenus on each item. Again, I could not get through to a human being.

This type of "service" is deliberate. In the HMO, I am not the customer. my company was. In the case of the mrtgage, I've already bought; they have no more interest in me.

Private industry can be just as basd as the government in providing services.