Please Send Some Prayers Your Way....Dealing With More Red-tape From SSA
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
November 14, 2009 10:12pm CST
Okay haven't been exactly active anywhere, especially not yesterday or today and here's the reason why.
Yesterday, November 13th I got a letter from Social Security since they need to discuss if I'm still eligible for SSI benefits..Like WTF? Of course I am, it's my only income...This all stems from some "extra" money I got that was tied to my mother. When she worked part time at Macy's she had a 401K Investment Plan. When she died on August 27, 2006 was when I found out she had it, as I was frantically calling all her former places of employment to see if there was any money anywhere as she had no savings, checking and no life insurance (yeah, she really thought ahead to provide for me and her funeral costs--NOT)
So anyway, I found out that there was this 401K thing but she didn't name me as a beneficiary...long story short, it took me only last year to receive the money--yes there was other money which is what I used to pay off her funeral costs, but I pursued the 401K money as I figured, hell I'm entitled to it and why should I let that money go as unclaimed? I kept getting different amounts of what the sum of the money was due to it being tied with the stock market...by the time I finally got the check it was for $1,097.56 BUT minus the Federal Tax that I opted to have automatically deducted so I wouldn't have to deal with the tax later..I got the check around October 23, 2008.
Well now SSA is making a stink about it and wish to discuss the matter with me to see if I'm still eligible for my benefits......WHY? According to the "rules" one can have $2,000 in financial assets and not have benefits affected. So since this amount is well under that why are they bothering me? And it's not like I "inherited" millions and plan to buy my yacht, Jaguar car, estate, and private island..sheesh
Then it dawned on me that the jerks must think this 401K plan was somehow mine not my mother's as the check was made out to me, and the account transfered into my name. So they must think that the 401K Plan is mine..it's NOT. Also, by accepting that money it wiped out the account.
Anyway, as soon as I got that lovely letter, I started sifting through all my papers...thank God I'm an organized neat freak and organize papers well as it didn't take me long to find anything and everything I needed.
Now I have to start calling next week...they didn't give me much notice...I'm supposed to contact them and supposed to have an appt on Friday (November 20th day after my birthday..gee what a nice birthday gift)--I have to explain there is NO WAY I can go to their office and have to do this by mail....due to my disability I don't travel. When I had my other SSI fiasco in 2007 I managed to get it all handled by phone and mail so I'm hoping I can do the same now.
The bottom line is I'm stressed out now...have had a queasy stomach all day/night and yes, managed to get up a little earlier to "practice" getting up earlier since I'm a real night owl and go to bed real late and get up late... it's only 10:40 pm as I write this and I'm dead tired already. I spent most of the day today sifting through the papers again to get them organized, made copies and printed things up, getting everything ready and even wrote a cover letter for when I send all this stuff out. But I still have to call these jerks...I have 30 days to get this settled otherwise they might discontinue my benefits..and the way SSA works they are not speedy--like I said they sure didn't give me much notice.
anyway,.......I could use your prayers that I can face and endure this....hey anyone got some Valiums???????
12 people like this
28 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Nov 09
Nope can't say I have read those books
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
15 Nov 09
[b]There's a reason some believe Hell is run by bureaucrats...
I'll send up prayers, Pye, you betcha, because I've had to deal with that lot myself, & I'm pretty sure you'll need them. I do feel for you! 
But take heart; I think this will end well, since you do have all your ducks in a row. 
Is there any record at the place where the 401K was from that this was your mother's, & not yours?
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
I'll send up prayers, Pye, you betcha, because I've had to deal with that lot myself, & I'm pretty sure you'll need them. I do feel for you! But take heart; I think this will end well, since you do have all your ducks in a row.
Is there any record at the place where the 401K was from that this was your mother's, & not yours?
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Nov 09
Yes I have the records of where the 401K plan was originally and clearly states it was my mother's and not mine
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
17 Nov 09
[b]Then go forth & sic'em, Pyewacket!
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (161010)
• United States
15 Nov 09
Pye, I hate stuff like this, but maybe it will all smooth out and go away if you talk to them by phone. My sister has pretty good luck getting stuff done by mail and phone. Of course this is a different state and things are different all over the country. I do not know how they could get so messed up but I think the rule is this: Let the big guy get away with murder, but bleed the little guy dry. Give them a gut ache before you do that.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Nov 09
I'm hoping I can settle this by mail and phone as well..didn't have much luck today by phone..called the caseworker and it was her answering machine that picked up..so yeah, did leave a message
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
15 Nov 09
hmmmmmmmmmmm haven't I seen this somewhere before? 
I hate when they do this crap, Pye. I'm organized as well but have no copy machine or scanner here so I either have to drive downtown to the office and let them make copies of everything or go to my town paper and pay them to make copies. Either way, I'm using money I don't have when nothing has changed since the last time they did the re-determination. Your in my thoughts and sending prayers that this can be resolved and soon without you having to travel there. ???
I hate when they do this crap, Pye. I'm organized as well but have no copy machine or scanner here so I either have to drive downtown to the office and let them make copies of everything or go to my town paper and pay them to make copies. Either way, I'm using money I don't have when nothing has changed since the last time they did the re-determination. Your in my thoughts and sending prayers that this can be resolved and soon without you having to travel there. ??? 2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Nov 09
Yeah, I wonder where you've seen this
I'm lucky that I do have a printer and scanner, but crap, going through a lot of my printing ink printing copies up...I'm lucky too, that near me are a number of places that I can make photo-copies for only 5-cents a page, but that can still add up. I hope I won't have to travel either, I see no reason why it can't be all handled by mail and phone
I'm lucky that I do have a printer and scanner, but crap, going through a lot of my printing ink printing copies up...I'm lucky too, that near me are a number of places that I can make photo-copies for only 5-cents a page, but that can still add up. I hope I won't have to travel either, I see no reason why it can't be all handled by mail and phone
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
15 Nov 09
hi pyewacket oh lord when dealing with the Social security and ssi people its the berries,it takes so long and even after we had filled out the paper work for me for ssi they were going to give me just 281 dollars but when I got put here in Gold Crest the adminstrator had some clout and she got me a lot more and really fast,I dont know yet what her pull was but in afew days the ssi people wrote me and told me they had upped my ssi payment so that with the ssi and my social security check I could pay these people each month and still have one hundred twenty five dollars left over for my personal expenses. When we had originally seen the ssi social security people he was not impressed that I could barely walk so the administrator here was the motivator but too she used a different office too so who knows. I hope this all gets cleared up for you.Pye and that you get your ssi benefits to continue. you would think that that money is coming out of the ssi person's own pocket.Pye I
am going to send you multiple prayers so you will get your SsI continued. lol.
2 people like this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
15 Nov 09
Hi Pye! That's just terrible! It defies logic that SSA wants to spend money researching a check that doesn't even come up to the limit that they themselves set. If the problem does center around that check, I would bet that somehow it was doubled in their system, posting both pre-tax post-tax amounts. With your excellent record keeping, I know that you will be able to straighten it out, but dealing with any govt agency is a hassle. Wouldn't you think that when there is an issue that they'd attempt to settle it by phone first? Have you started your letter writing campaign yet, or are you waiting to find out the exact nature of the problem? Good luck girlfriend, I'll be keeping you in my prayers!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Nov 09
Someone else here pointed out to me, like why did they wait a year to get in contact with me about this anyway?
Hopefully I plan to send all the documentation and paperwork tomorrow to at least get the ball rolling so my caseworker had the "evidence" in front of her. And hopefully I can talk to her on the phone...I called Mon. and today and all I got was her answering machine and yes did leave a message..sheesh
Hopefully I plan to send all the documentation and paperwork tomorrow to at least get the ball rolling so my caseworker had the "evidence" in front of her. And hopefully I can talk to her on the phone...I called Mon. and today and all I got was her answering machine and yes did leave a message..sheesh1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
I might have better luck just trying their toll free number which I'll call next week---I would have called today, but had to go to the docs. This is rotten timing too, I mean next week is Thanksgiving week and many people leave jobs early at least they might on Wednesday
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
19 Nov 09
If you happen to get to an operator, ask if he or she is actually in. You'd be surprised that clients aren't told when their caseworker is on vacation. You don't want to sit there on pins and needles if they are soaking up rays in Florida. Please keep me posted in how it's going for you, have been praying for a speedy resolution.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Thanks for your prayers Lakota...hope to get it straightened out soon too
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
18 Nov 09
Hey pw,
sorry to hear your having such a time w/ SSA-ain't it just like our government to make things "easy".
Sending prayers & well wishes your way-I feel you'll pull through unscathed. We just went through a situation w/ SSA & after having benefits $200 short for the past two months putting through multiple calls & an office visit they finally got it corrected & my DM found a lovely unexpected dd in the bank last week.
|:)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Glad your DM finally got things straightened out and got an added surprise in her account
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
15 Nov 09
will do
you know,pye~
the people i've known,with legitimate claims (such as yourself)
for either disability or unemployment have nothing but problems both getting and retaining their benefits-it seems they go out of their way to find the smallest infraction to kick you..
and yet,i've known straight out frauds,to the point of where you can report them and report them and nothing is ever done,and you have to hear about how they're going on trips,buying toys and even bragging about it..it just boggles the mind.
and then they work under the table too.
i know somebody right now with a severe back injury where they can't even sit properly who is being told they can still work.it's just..i can't even think of a word right now..
you know,pye~
the people i've known,with legitimate claims (such as yourself)
for either disability or unemployment have nothing but problems both getting and retaining their benefits-it seems they go out of their way to find the smallest infraction to kick you..
and yet,i've known straight out frauds,to the point of where you can report them and report them and nothing is ever done,and you have to hear about how they're going on trips,buying toys and even bragging about it..it just boggles the mind.
and then they work under the table too.
i know somebody right now with a severe back injury where they can't even sit properly who is being told they can still work.it's just..i can't even think of a word right now..1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
19 Nov 09
yup.mom said something about a one-time of $250-but that makes no sense to me.
if you stretch the 250 over twelve months,it's pretty close to the usual increase,
so why not...?
uff..those people make my brain hurt.the only sense they make is no sense.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Nov 09
As far as that word you might be thinking of...how about asinine..LOL
You probably heard too by now that anyone on any kind of benefits, such as SSI SSI-D, Social Security retirement and veteran's aren't going to get that cost of living increase next year...gee, great
2 people like this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
15 Nov 09
sending lots of prayers hun. I just got stuff in the mail regarding my daughter's SSI and how I have to explain what I did with her money for the past 2 years. I have tons of receipts and all that I have to go threw on top of her being sick me sleeping on the floor when I do get to sleep! Geesh I am right there with ya,and hey if you find any Valiums can I have some
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Nov 09
There are so many times I want to throw old papers out but then think better of it with the idea of I never know if I might need those papers, so glad I've kept everything. Hope you're daughter gets much better..maybe once you move???
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
20 Nov 09
That's what we are hoping for. I am big about saving everything too that's why this move is so hard I have tons of paperwork stacked everywhere
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
15 Nov 09
Yeah, SSA is only speedy when it is them attacking you. If you are trying to get benefits from them... they take their sweet time and complain they are under staffed or have to many clients or whatever - I think just lazy and only particular in choosing who they choose...illegal aliens get first prioity in California. I am working with SSD..I started in July 2007 - they lost my claim for a YEAR AND A HALF!!! I got an attorney and after 9 months, they still couldnt didn't find me, but since I had paper work that said they did have me... they accepted my claim but literally 3 days later.. they denied me. Now I appeal and it will be 14-18 months before they hear my case.
You have my prayers.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Nov 09
Oh crap--so you're going through a lot of hassles too...I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers too.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
19 Nov 09
We meet back here in 14 monhts!!!
If we don't laugh, we will cry, so might as well laugh before we deal with them since during and after.. we'll be spitt'in nails!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168542)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Nov 09
No Valiums but my thoughts are certainly with you. I think all SS wants is to varify the information. If they get a copy of any documents then they can add it to your files and it will probably all be handled. They tell you when you start receiving benefits that they need to know whenever you do get any moneys, change address, etc. They also have their systems set up so they know if you get any money from any federal or state departments because their data bases are all connected now. So you might as well let them know cause they are going to find out in the long run anyway. Save you alot of heartache. Been there done that. And, yes, they are slow and the reason being they are servicing over 50,000,000 people every month.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
What I'd like to know is why are they bringing up this issue more than a YEAR after I received the money. When I received the money from another fund of my mother's in October of 2006 they sent me a letter about it the SAME month...
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168542)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Nov 09
If you didn't report the money when it happened it took this long for them to find the money for whatever reason. They could have been in the system for something else and came across yours. They have so many people they can't keep up with everyone. Something must have thrown yours out at them for some reason and gave them reason to check further. It just happens. They have to have little safety measures to throw out a case if certain criteria are meant.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
15 Nov 09
Hi pye,
What a pain in the butt just to get what you are entitled, surely they have all the necessary informations on their files, but I will say a prayer for you and you don't deserve all this hassele.
Bright Blessings.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Nov 09
That's what I can't understand...yes they DO have all my info on file on their computers, so why the hassle??
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
19 Nov 09
Why the hassel? Because they CAN!! He who has the gold, makes the rules. In this case... they'll hassel you to the penny. That means only one thing.. you are legal. If you were an illegal alien, they'd be upping your award to compensate for the loss of your mother....
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
15 Nov 09
I will pray that you get everything all taken care of. If they owe you money, it can take months. If they think you might owe them, it is done very quickly.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Ironic no that if one owes them money then they are quick
@AmbiePam (94142)
• United States
16 Nov 09
I'm so sorry. If I had any Valium I'd Fed Ex it to you. I hope it doesn't come down to getting ahold of your congressmen again. Although they should be willing to help considering it is their job, I know it takes a while. I'll be praying.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Well didn't get much accomplished this week...I called Monday and Wednesday and only succeeded in leaving a message on my caseworkers machine....I mailed "documents" just yesterday (Thurs)...plan to call again next week but it is rotten timing with Thanksgiving coming up
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
16 Nov 09
Hi Pye,
Is there any way you can get a ride over there? Or take a taxi, I know it cost money, but I'm only saying this so you don't go through WEEKS of getting sick. The sooner you can take care of this the better for you. This is going to take quite some time to straighten out and it's not going to be healthy in the least, so you'll be stressed for a long time. Not good at all, and do they give a Sh!t, no, not one bit.
And you know how ridiculously careless most of these people are when you talk to them over the phone or by mail. Things that are suppose to be punched into the computer always get lost, or there is no record of it because they never did it. Copies get thrown in a pile and lost, or they're put way on the bottom and who knows when they'll get to it.
Try to get there somehow to straighten this out if you can and talk in person. Bless you hon, I hope this all gets over quickly for you.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
No I definitely wouldn't be able to take a taxi as it would cost too much. Don't see why any of this can't be handled by phone and mail as I was able to do that the last time I had an "issue" I managed to call on Monday and Wednesday to my caseworker but all I got was her answering machine---and yes left a message both times. On Thursday I mailed in the documentation she might need and mailed it Priority/Certified/Return Receipt mail--I plan to call again next week...didn't today (Friday) as I went to my docs...still have my bronchitis which has left me drained to begin with
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
16 Nov 09
Hi Pye, I just discovered you and my daughter share the same birthday...How about that? I am sorry this is happening to you. I imagine your Social Security is as painful as ours here. Whenever I have a question I always call at least three times because the answer you receive depends on who you speak to you and you can’t rely on the first one you talk to.
It sounds as though you have all the paperwork you need well organized and surely if you can prove it was your mother’s 401K and that the amount you received was under the allowed figure, they can’t suspend your payments!
Of course you have my prayers, I sincerely hope it all works out for you…Geez…If it’s not one thing, it’s something else! Ain’t life grand?
P.S. Here's a Valium...Don't tell anyone!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Well I mailed the documentation that would prove the 401K plan was originally my mother's--didn't get anywhere calling this week and plan to call again next week, but this is all rotten timing with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up and many people might leave early or earlier than usual
LOL--Thanks for the Valium
1 person likes this
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
17 Nov 09
That's the government for you. If somehow you were to find a dollar laying in the street they would want you to give them two.
I sure hope you are able to get this straightened out without to much stress. I think my daughter has a xanax if that will help.
1 person likes this
@rosepedal64 (4188)
• United States
15 Nov 09
Yes the SSA office sometimes acts like it is coming out their pocket to pay you monthly. They did this to my sons girlfriend. She just got a letter in the mail saying they had over paid her and was taking out x amount of dollars from her check. No warning or chance to fight it or any thing like that.. The SSA to me fights dirty...
Try to have a nice day and when you are talking to them try to keep smiling and see if that will keep your temper in tact...LOL..
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
That is so wrong. They are supposed to inform a person about a so-called overpayment and there's even a form one can download on the SSA website to refute/dispute that--in other words one is supposed to be able to appeal it.
