[Rick Lee]

The people I deal with are largely incapable of applying for SSDI on their own. However, getting denied the first time makes it easier for a law firm to then take over and start the process again. I met one last week who lived in a pretty decent apt complex. Her place was neat, well decorated and she was super pleasant, hair done, dressed up, you know, self-respect kind of stuff. She had gotten laid off during the Covid shutdown, the various benefits are drying up now and she just doesn't want to go back into the rat race. She's 55 and applying for SSDI. I didn't want to try to warn her off or spend the time that conversation would have eaten up. But she's right at that tipping point. Door #1 is go back to some kind of work with dignity and chance for advancement. Door #2 is lifetime of gov't. subsistence checks that will never outpace inflation.