Maryland Injury and Disability Law : Washington DC Metro Injury & Disability Lawyer & Attorney : Greenberg & Bederman : Accidents, Falls, Medical Malpractice : Maryland, DC, Virginia

It seems to be working. If you browse the internet, listen to talk radio, read newspaper columns or even look at billboards on the highway, you will see a concerted effort to change the definition of what entitlements are in the hopes that the United States will simply stop having them.

The fiction is that our “entitlements” (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid,) are simply giveaways, funded by those who work hard and received only by those who don’t. They also like to push the idea that the monetary benefits that people receive from these programs allow them to live in luxury when in fact it isn’t much money at all.  It’s the myth of “the welfare queen” that many conservative politicians have used so successfully so often.  

However, “handouts” isn’t what government entitlements are. The reason you are “entitled” to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is because you paid into them. This money isn’t removed from your paycheck for fun. It’s removed to both pay for current recipients and to determine exactly how much you will receive in the future when you become eligible to receive these benefits. It is the exact opposite of a “handout,” and “privilege” doesn’t apply either. A “privilege” implies that you are getting something that nobody else gets, which isn’t the case for Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare.

Warren Buffet is a multi-billionaire. He is also 81 years old. He receives a monthly Social Security check, even though he doesn’t need it. Is he a welfare queen? He is also eligible for Medicaid or Medicare should he need it (although it is doubtful that he ever will.) He doesn’t receive any of that money or medical care because he is privileged or worth billions. He receives these things because he is 81 years old and has been paying into the system for his entire working life.

A public school teacher who makes significantly less than Warren Buffet will also be receiving Social Security checks when she is 81 years old. She will also be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. She won’t be receiving that money or medical care because she is lazy or didn’t work hard. She will receive these things because she is 81 years old and has been paying into the system for her entire working life.   

It doesn’t matter where you started or where you ended up in terms of finance, luck or personal responsibility when it comes to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. As a tax paying citizen of the United States, you have paid into them for your entire working life. They are not charities, they are not handouts, and they are not “entitlements” in the pejorative sense of the word.

Included in this is Social Security Disability Insurance, which is financial coverage that you can apply for if you get injured or become ill and are no longer able to work. You have paid into this fund for your entire working life. It isn’t charity or being a leech on the system if you apply for SSDI coverage. In fact, not applying for Social Security Disability Insurance if you get injured and can’t work is like getting into a car accident and not using your insurance to help handle the damage. Your car insurance isn’t charity, and neither is your Social Security.

At Greenberg and Bederman, a significant part of our practice is helping Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. injury victims get through theSocial Security Disability Insurance process. That means our lawyers help you apply, deal with the paperwork, and represent your interests in any hearings that occur. If you or a loved one has been injured or has suffered an illness and cannot return to work, contact Greenberg & Bederman for a free consultation.