explain why hard working people have to fight and get lawyers to get the social security benefits they deserve.

I would like the white house to explain why we are made to pay social security but if we become unable to work before retirement age we are denied benefits over and over have to get a lawyer and stand a slim chance of collecting even than. This is not a entitlement program this is money we paid and they were to hold it safe until we needed it. I for one have worked in the trades for 38 years paid in the max amount, had a heart attack in 2008 lost my job an medical coverage, have had to spend my retirement money and savings to survive yet if I had never been responsible could get a check, food stamps, medical, etc I would like the system to be reviewed and revamped more given to hard working honest people and less to the lazy ones..