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Originally Posted by Jaycojade
I've been on SSD since 2003 & then just this past Aug. (2010) I needed to apply for SSI. I was denied because of my resources being too high. (I had to get a statement from my former employer that I could not draw from my retirement plan until I was 65 -- 9 yrs yet; I mailed it to my local office as requested) After that I should of been approved for SSI. But; for some reason unknown, I never heard nothin. So I started calling my local office; but my caseworker was never in, so I left messages. I called every few days & never no return call; so I called the 800 # and they said I applied & then I was denied but nothing after that. So he sent me a "request for reconsideration". I did it & mailed it along with another copy of my pension plan statement on Nov.12, 2010 to my local SS office. Then about 2 weeks later, I started my calls again to my local office & again no return calls. After I left a message at the main desk THEN I got a call from my caseworker. But only to do ANOTHER application! (Jan 4, 2011); & she also requested my banking statement. So I mailed the statement certified mail & then started calling her again last week . NO return calls --- so I called the 800# today.
The guy said the application was being processed! I said I did the application last year in Aug 2010. He said I did it on Jan 4, 2011 is all he sees!!!
I don't understand this at all---- My only income (SSD) is soooooo low & after I pay my rent I have $10.00; I applied for HUD (been on a waiting list for 6 months) . I recieved Heating asst. & today I applied for electric asst (PCAP here in Pa). I'm on foodstamps too.
But I just don't understant this problem with my caseworker. To me it just doesn't seem like she's doing her job. I'm at "my wits end". I'm soooo depressed right now (my son passed away just 3 months ago) & I'm having financial problems.
I'm gonna write to my congressman tomorrow, hopefully he will help.
Sorry this so long. Any help from anyone would be very much appreciated. TY.
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I am curious about your pension plan. Does your letter say that you cannot withdraw AT ALL, even if you pay a penalty, before age 65? Does your employer offer a disability retirement plan that can pay benefits?
There are fewer and fewer defined benefit plans these days, except for school employees, government employees, union members. Is your pension plan a form of a 401k that is a retirement savings account? Or is it designed to pay you an annuity for a monthly pension amount from a certain age for the rest of your life? If you can cash it in with a penalty then it is a countable resource and you may still be over the resource limit so this is may be a waste of time. If you can possibly get an early payment of a monthly pension, then you will have to file for it.
Unfortunately for you, using the mail for an appeal hasn't turned out to be the best solution for you. Do you have evidence that you submitted the Request for Reconsideration in November?
I suggest you do two things. First, either get an appointment or walk-in to your local office (early in the day and bring a book to read) and ask to speak to an SSI claims rep. The SSI staff first takes care of the people who walk in the door and often run out of time to work on other cases. That is their reality. Tell your story again. Bring any documents you have to back it up. If the CR can substantiate your statements by physically searching for documents in the office, it may be possible to find the request for reconsideration and it may be possible to have the first claim reopened. You may need to ask to speak to a supervisor if the claims rep can't help you. Generally you don't get to speak to the district manager without going through the channels.
If you are then still dissatisfied contacting your congressperson may be the next step. But you need to be sure that your do have a valid case - that this pension fund money is TOTALLY unavailable to you under any circumstances for the next nine years.
Also, is there a state supplement for the $674 federal benefit in your state? And is your SSDI benefit under that limit?