I Want To Scream--Part 2--Actually I want to laugh!!
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
May 17, 2007 2:50pm CST
Okay here's more exciting news about the SSI Disability fiasco that I'm undergoing...but instead of screaming, I actually want to laugh at this.
Okay so here I am, my SSI Disability benefits that I've been getting since 1996 have been terminated as of this month..I have no money to pay the rent..although a friend of mine did give me a little money so I was able to pay half of it..hey half is better than nothing...I have exactly $5.71 in my savings..that's it...And then I get this letter just today from Social Security.
It seems they believe now, that they made an "overpayment" to me of $4,910.00 for the months of October 2006 to April 2007, and can you please pay this overpayment by June 9, 2007!!!
By now I think my sense of humor is still quite intact..because instead of going into a rage, or wanting to leap off a roof about this news...I'm actually laughing--yes, laughing!! I mean I really do find this funny now....Here I have all this documented proof, that was about an inch thick that I mailed these jerks to document the fact that I DON'T have any financial resources at all, and now they want me to send nearly 5-grand back to them? Are they out of their minds.
So I just downloaded yet another form..a waiver that I will fill out--to demonstrate that I disagree with this decision, and will fill out another Request for Reconsideration..I'm actually getting writers cramp from all these damn forms I'm filling out.
But is this nuts, or is this nuts??....and yes, laugh with me...cause I really do find it funny--well, in a weird way.
12 people like this
20 responses
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
17 May 07
I have heard of that happening before to people on SSI, what you really need to do is get yourself a lawyer, I know they are expensive, but I was a paralegal for 20 years and Social Security is going to give you the runaround about this unless you have someone fighting for you. Best thing I can offer is go to your local chapter of American Bar Association (ABA) and they have attorney's that will work on a sliding scale or pro bono for you. It is nerve racking what they expect of you and unless you fight it in the beginning they are only going to get worse which I would hate to see happen to you.
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 May 07
Oh--just called the Legal Aid services...I have to wait until Tuesday to talk to the special unit that handles SSI Disability cases...arrgghhh!
3 people like this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
17 May 07
That is GREAT, you at least have a day that you can talk to them. I did legal work for over 20 years and saw so many cases get rejected that should not have due to no attorney, an attorney can get it taken care for you so easily that you won't be bothered with such nonsense. I wish you the best.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 May 07
For the heck of it, I just got in contact with other lawyers that specialize in Disability cases...via email! I wrote out a letter to them and like if they can't help me personally maybe they can get me in contact with someone who can...I figured nothing ventured nothing gained---right?
1 person likes this
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
17 May 07
I guess the only thing to do is to laugh. But at least you can be happy that you have more in your savings account than me...lol. These people are incredible. If they have been giving you this money to live on because you have little income in the first place, how in their right minds can they expect you to have nearly $5,000 to pay back to them? Proof once again of how screwed up the government is. Yes, it is totaly nuts, and that is putting it mildly.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 May 07
Wow--my $5.71 is more than you have?..LOL---should I break out the champagne then?--hehehe
2 people like this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
17 May 07
I'm glad you can laugh...I can't. I find it totally pathetic that the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Of course, that's how our government works (or doesn't work).
I certainly hope you get this straightened out and get the SSI Disability benefits back. Sure was glad to hear that you will be talking to someone on Tuesday. Good luck!
3 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
17 May 07
Sweetie can you not get the legal Side involved in this like Legal Aid
I know here in the UK we can when it gets this bad and that is bad and they will sort it all for you from there
Please find out if you can
Actually when we get Letters about a decision it states we can appeal and also involve Legal Aid
I have to say if that was me I would not 5 of my Anti Depressants in one Day not just one
Someone is messing up badly there
Big Hugs to you
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 May 07
I did call the Legal Aid just awhile ago,but I have to wait until Tuesday to speak to someone who handles SSI benefits cases--in the meantime I have my phone book in front of me...and am looking up regular lawyers...if I can find one who will work pro bono..great
2 people like this
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
17 May 07
Oh my - well at least you can laugh! My immediate reaction would be to ask them how such a huge error occured, and why they didn't employ competent people to start off with, so that calculations were done right in the first place! In my experience of big Government departments etc here in Britain, once the bureaucratic wheels are set in motion, there is nothing anyone can do to stop the mightly bandwagon going completely out of control. So keeping your sense of humour is very important.
Take care!
3 people like this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
17 May 07
Honey, this is awful. I am so sorry. I heard that they always decline people, so that they will have to try to open the case again. Not a clue why, but they are so stinking dishonest. I will pray that all this gets straightend out quickly for you. Bless you sugar.
2 people like this
@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
17 May 07
All you have to do is fill out the form, send them a copy of your initial letter from their office that states how much they would be paying you.
In the form, tell them that you did not decide your benefits, they did and therefore it isn't your mistake.
You will repay nothing.
Been there, done that as payee for someone who receives DIB (not SSI, he actually hurt himself on the job and therefore recieves regular benefits, not SSI).
Though the benefits are different, the situation and branch of government is the same.
Good luck & longtime no-see.
How's that super-huge safelist adoption business of yours going?
2 people like this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
18 May 07
Hi pyewacket, I have a friend and she went thorugh the same thing as you, she contacted "Binder & Binder" they are attorneys that only handle "Social Security" cases and are very very good, they won her case for her and worked out a payment plan for her. It's better to win and have your SSI reopened and pay little by little than to loose the SSI all together. Their consultation is free. My friend first used another attorney and had no satisfaction but when she used Binder & Binder they won it for her and the back money she lost after they closed her SSI, she has a lot of faith with these attorneys and if your unable to go see them they can send someone to see you in your home. You have nothing to loose by calling them. Please call and don't give up on this, you need your SSI. Here is their link... http://www.binderandbinder.com/
1 person likes this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
18 May 07
Good work, I am praying for you. I am also lighting a candle for you too. Don't worry some help will come your way.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 May 07
Thank you for your prayers and the lit candle.. ;-)
I have candles lit myself believe me
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
17 May 07
LOL - laughing with you dear, one of my favorite sayings, "Laugh in the face of adversity". I've found it help temendously. Hey maybe you could include a note with all the paperwork and tell them you will pay off this 'debt' with your myLot earnings but then they will have to pay for your ISP service in order for you to keep this income... Or how about this - you have $5.71 in your savings, calculate the interest that will earn and how long it will take to accumulate the $4,910 then let them know you'll pay them with that (of course include all your calculations in the paperwork).
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
17 May 07
Hey another idea - you could pay them off faster if you moved in with them, no rent, utilities, or food to buy that would be a great help. Oh, they could even pay you to pick up the house and do laundry and you could pay them back even faster :)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 May 07
My goodness byfaithonly--see you have a wonderful sense of humor too!! Gee now let me see with that $5.71 interest collected on it..oh, maybe that would take about 50 years to pay it off--that would make me 101 years old by the time it's paid off..LOL--mmm as for MyLot earnings...that might be just a little bit faster...
1 person likes this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
18 May 07
Hi pyewacket, I don't think I was able to respond to your previous thread. I'm lost. My email was engulfed with about a hundred discussions I don't know which or where to start anymore.
I honestly have to say that I also laughed while reading this thread. I laughed because the letter arrived at a very wrong time for you. I don't have any idea how the SS in your country runs.
I suggest you seek some advice or better yet a lawyer to help you straighten this matter. It isn't funny to rightly asked you to return that much money when you have nothing left anymore. I hope this issue will be resolve right away. I'm sorry though to hear about this.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 May 07
To quote you..". I don't have any idea how the SS in your country runs..."
That's just it...they don't know how to run it--LOL
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
18 May 07
Wow I feel so bad for you. I really don't know to much about how they work though. But I know we always have to jump through one hoop or other. would'nt it be nice if life was just peaceful for a change? I hope you can get all this straighened out as soon as possible.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
18 May 07
Yes, I'll laugh with you....and give you a pat on the back for laughing. I'm on SSDI also and am well aware of all of their little boo boos and how it always ends up in our laps at the end. A friend of mine just got her check which was due on the 3rd, deposited into her bank account. She has direct deposit. When it wasn't there on the 4th she called the bank then SS and went back and forth with them for a week, the bank saying they didn't get it and SS saying they sent it. Ultimately SS sent it....3 times...and she never got it once. Finally, on Tuesday the 15th it showed up in her bank account. This woman lives on only that check and they did that to her. Doesn't this tell us something about the SS system? It sure does. As for your predicament I'm sure their going to realize their mistake although it's really putting a lot of stress and extra problems on you. I feel so bad for you but then your laughing and since you've been on for a time I'm sure your able to get yourself taken care of. All I can say is good luck and let us know when those idiots realize what they have done.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 May 07
Like I've said elsewhere..if they think I'm going to go quietly away into the sunset about this they're wrong----But that's the reason I'm actually laughing about it...cause the whole thing is just so absurd now
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
18 May 07
Well isn't that just grand. You certainly have more of a sense of humor than I do. As soon as I would have read that letter steam would have been shooting out of my ears, my face would be turning the darkest shade of red you can imagine, and someone would be really getting a royal butt whoopin'.
Enough is enough really. I don't know why they would think now that they have over paid you. I have a few choice words I would like to call them, but if I were to say such things on here, I'd probably get in trouble..lol Plus don't want to offend anyone, but I am pretty sure a few can figure out what those few choice words would be. :)
Just proves, in my opinion, that they really aren't paying attention, and really looking to screw anyone and everyone that they can. Really rubs me in the wrong way. I hope this all gets worked out for you soon.
1 person likes this
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
18 May 07
honey please go get you a lawyer he will work on a contingency fee so his maney will come out of the sttlement he can get you from ss I know what i M TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE i TOO HAVE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE !
@ElicBxn (64177)
• United States
18 May 07
my roomie used to get sh*t like that all the time from SSI before she finally got rid of them when she got this job. She sent them a letter telling them that she had called & writen to stop the payments & when they sent the bill she went up & up until they finally waved the payment. Wish I could send you the letter she sent them.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
18 May 07
Ok, I'll laugh if you say so! But I would rather scream! I certainly will pray!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 May 07
Well I'd like to scream too, but sometimes you reach the point where the combined whole of it all is truly laughable after awhile...Since I can do a lot of things by e-mail I'm also going to get in contact with various advocate groups that are on the news media stations...like NY-1 for you, etc, lets put it this way anyone and everyone I can think of I'm contacting....this gal means business!!!
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
17 May 07
It is so like the government, the left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing and meanwhile both hands are firmly clamped around someone's throat. I went through this a long time ago with my ex....we went without a lot of stuff for nearly a year, we were basically homeless for six months living in a campground because we had been evicted from our apartment. they just don't have a clue about how people with no money have to live.
