Hippies are causing another social welfare program to go broke.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Social Security disability program on the ropes

Created during the Eisenhower administration to help people who can't work because of a health problem, the Social Security Disability Insurance program is set to soon become the first big federal benefit program to run out of cash. One reason for this is the program's uneven selection process: the federal government pays for SSDI benefits but U.S. states and territories have a large say in who qualifies. In 2010, 63% of applicants in Puerto Rico won approval, four percentage points higher than New Jersey and Wyoming, the most generous states.

CHART

State Flexibility Pushing Disability Program to Insolvency

The Social Security Disability Insurance program is set to run out of money in four to seven years in part because states have a lot of discretion in deterimining eligibility, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The story highlights the case of Puerto Rico, which has an acceptance rate four percentage points higher than the most generous U.S. states. Nine of the top 10 U.S. zip codes for disabled workers getting benefits are in Puerto Rico.

On its current trajectory, the disability insurance program -- created during the Eisenhower years -- would be the first major federal benefit program to run out of money. The Social Security retirement fund is currently on track to survive through 2040 and Medicare through 2029, according to the Journal.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/budget/wsj-state-flexibility-pushing-disability-program-to-insolvency-20110322

[lostinblue 1,989]

Nine of the top 10 U.S. zip codes for disabled workers getting benefits are in Puerto Rico.

WOW

[slim 1,525]

I keep reading about the government going broke yet see nothing to stop it from happening. Even my little brother in first grade can crunch these numbers.

[mawilson 2,133]

I keep reading about the government going broke yet see nothing to stop it from happening. Even my little brother in first grade can crunch these numbers.

It's unstoppable at this point.