Social Security Failing a Fort Wayne Man
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
This week the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric is running its special series: "Failing the Disabled." The series focuses on the thousands of Americans being denied disability benefits by the Social Security Administration. We found a Fort Wayne man suffering a similar fate.The Social Security Administration has been denying Dennis Coverstone for over six years. This, despite the fact that Dennis can hardly stand, much less work a full day. "I never realized how people were suffering in the background," he said. "Disabled people are in the background." A central nervous system disorder and chronic pain plague Coverstone everywhere he goes, though he can't get very far. His muscles shake and twitch 24 hours a day. Emptying the dishwasher takes all the energy he has.
"I've been denied by Social Security for six years now," said Coverstone. "They find no evidence that I'm disabled." Coverstone's family physician and specialists say he's disabled. His insurance company thinks so too, and provides him with $15,600 a year. Letters from the Social Security Administration tell Coverstone they believe he can work up to six hours a day. He has appealed these decisions for the past six years.
"It makes me feel angry and it makes me feel hurt," he said. "Why is my government doing this to me?"
A CBS Evening News investigation shows two out of every three people who apply for disability benefits are denied. Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue is defending his administration, but admits there are problems. "I think it's broken the way a leg is broken, and it can heal, and it will heal," said Astrue.
Unfortunately, that's not enough for Dennis Coverstone.
"I've learned there are a lot of disabled people out there who can't speak for themselves, and need someone to speak for them," he said.