Tragic Responses: Some Applicants Denied Social Security Disability Benefits Resort To Threats

With long waits, red tape, and a high percentage of denied applications, it is not surprising that many people become frustrated with the Social Security Administration (SSA) when trying to qualify for social security disability benefits such as SSDI and SSI. However, as a recent news report discovered, some turning to threats of violence and other illegal action after being denied Social Security benefits – actions that are both tragic and regrettable. In fact, the number of threats received by SSA employees and administrative law judges has skyrocketed from 897 in 2007 to 2,336 in 2010.

In one case, a judge received harassing and frightening phone calls after denying disability benefits to a woman – including threats that mentioned his wife and children by name. In another case, a man told a judge that he was snipe him, while in another case a woman said that she would hurt an SSA office worker that they he would “understand her pain.” Most tragically, in 2000 a man shot a SSA office security guard after his disability benefits were denied, while another man shot himself in a Social Security office after learning he wouldn’t be receiving benefits.

All in all about 13 percent of SSA’s employees say that they have received threats of violence in the last three years – and many say that they have received multiple threats during that time frame.

While we understand that the Social Security Disability benefits process can be long and frustrating, there is absolutely no place for physical violence or threats. The single best way to fight a Social Security benefits denial is to speak with a SSDI and SSI attorney about your case and let us help you strengthen and build your case.





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