
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 24, 1994                   TAG: 9411290037
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ALCOHOLISM CAN BE PART OF DISABILITY

Q: Is there such a thing as a disability check for alcoholics? I know of a man receiving this check, and he can and does work at various times. It's unbelievable to me the government would send money to someone who might use it just to buy more alcohol.

K.A.

A: Alcohol addiction is considered a disabling factor in some cases approved for disability payments, said Fred Ayscue of the Social Security office in Roanoke.

However, alcoholism rarely is the primary reason for granting the benefit check.

A new law, effective next March, requires that all Social Security benefits for drug and alcohol addicts go to a payee who will receive them for the disabled person. This already is required in some benefit cases.

The payee can be a social services agency, an individual who accepts responsibility for handling the check or a relative of the disabled person.

The payee system is designed to see that the benefit money is used for the primary needs of food, clothing and shelter.

Ayscue said abuse of benefits in your area can be reported to the Wytheville Social Security office, (703) 228-4699.|

More on disabilities

A reader asked in Tuesday's column how to report people who appear to be working while receiving disability benefits from Social Security.

The answer gave phone numbers and mentioned that many times a brief investigation finds there is no violation of the conditions for receiving benefits.

I heard from a couple of people who felt that broad disclaimer didn't go far enough in explaining the disability benefits.

There isn't enough space here to cover the many kinds of disabilities thoroughly, but a couple of points should be noted.

Sometimes benefits are granted with the expectation a person will recover slowly from an injury or sickness. Implicit in this is a gradual return to doing a few tasks and a buildup to a full workday.

Keeping the benefits during recovery can help a person return to the work force.

Also, a few disabilities allow people to work on the days they feel well enough. If recipients have made the proper arrangements with Social Security, this practice is both accepted and encouraged.|

Kudzu watch

The kudzu on Mill Mountain isn't being ignored.

A reader asked about the green vine's presence behind Roanoke Memorial Hospital, and I said no one was grabbing hold of it.

The weed is being watched, though. If it makes a move to take over the mountain, the Parks and Grounds Maintenance Department is ready to launch a counterattack.

Ed Culp, superintendent of that department, said another patch of kudzu, on the other side of the mountain, also is under surveillance.

Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.

by CNB