I WAS RECENTLY DENIED WHEN I WENT TO A HEARING BY MYSELF ON THE GROUNDS THAT ALCOHOLISM WAS A MATERIAL FACTOR. MY DOCTOR DOESN’T THINK IT IS. WHY CAN’T I RECEIVE BENEFITS?
As part of an amendment to Social Security, Congress has increasingly made it more difficult for claimants with drug or alcohol issues to win. In response to some studies that showed that drug addicts were using their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks to get more drugs, Congress passed an extremely harsh law that prevents not only drug addicts from getting benefits but also people deemed to be alcoholics. If drug abuse or alcohol abuse is a “material” part of your disability, that is, you would not be disabled if you didn’t consider it, then even if you are disabled you are not eligible for benefits. While the studies showed the illegal drug abuse was a major problem, people who have been excessive drinkers are now finding it difficult to win benefits. However, if drinking is unrelated to your disability or if it is no longer material to your disability, you are still eligible to receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits.
