Contents | Feedback | Search | DRCNet Home Page | Join DRCNet
DRCNet Library | Schaffer Library | Government Publications | GAO Publications
(Testimony, 02/10/94, GAO/T-HEHS-94-101). The number of drug addicts receiving Social Security disability benefits has soared in recent years; about 250,000 addicts now receive disability benefits at an annual cost of $1.4 billion. Despite the fact that half of them qualify for benefits on the basis of their addiction alone, most addicts are not required to be in treatment. Finding qualified representative payees to manage addicts' benefits has been a long-standing problem for the Social Security Administration. Most payees are either friends or relatives. In the absence of tight controls, addicts are free to buy drugs and alcohol to maintain their addictions. GAO believes that organizational payees would be in a better position to provide the strict controls needed over benefit payments to addicts. --------------------------- Indexing Terms ----------------------------- REPORTNUM: T-HEHS-94-101 TITLE: Social Security: Disability Benefits for Drug Addicts and Alcoholics Are Out of Control DATE: 02/10/94 SUBJECT: Disability benefits Social security benefits Program management Alcohol abuse Drug treatment Handicapped persons Drug abuse Questionable payments Eligibility criteria Internal controls IDENTIFIER: Social Security Disability Insurance Program Supplemental Security Income Program SSI Drug Addiction and Alcoholism Program Medicaid Program California Texas Florida Michigan Washington ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We regret that electronic text of GAO Testimony is not available at this time. See the GAO FAQ - Section 2.0 for printed copy ordering information. The FAQ is automatically retrieved with all WAIS search results or can be obtained by sending e-mail to: info@www.gao.gov