Trying to help a friend who is on SSD
 

She has severe physical limitations and is collecting SSD. But, after speaking to her last night at the Peripheral Neuropathy support group meeting, I learned that she is no getting the amount she is entitled to. They screwed up her SSD and she even contaced Binder and Binder, told them this and they said "We only handle people who are applying for Social Security Disability."

She has not gone down to the Social Security Office yet, because it's very hard for her to travel, and when she phones them she gets the run-around.

Can someone please tell me what she needs to do to have the powers that be CORRECT the amount that she is receiving?

I told her I would post her problem on this forum.

If anyone gets back to me with the resolution, I will immediately tell her what she needs to do to get more money each month.

She barely makes it now.

Thanks very much

Melody

What exactly was done wrong? How do you know it's the wrong amount? How does she know her SSD was screwed up? What is it that she thinks Social Security needs to do?

Generally the only thing that reduces a Social Security disability benefit is receipt of worker's compensation (including a settlement which can be prorated into the future) or public disability benefits. There can be garnishment for unpaid child support or overpayment recovery. But other than that, the computation to determine the monthly amount of Social Security Disability is pretty straightforward and not subject to error since it is based on the earnings record. Does she disagree with her earnings record?

Now SSI, Supplemental Security Income, can change for a variety of reasons; living arrangements, other sources of income, help from others, etc. SSI can legally go up and down and change every month.

I have no idea what she should do because I don't understand the problem. I suggest talking to the office in person with the evidence she has that shows she is being paid incorrectly.

Hi. Just wanted to say thanks for the reply. I have forwarded all that you wrote to her in an email. When she updates me, I'll update you.

Thanks much

Melody

:Good-Post: EXACTLY RIGHT...SHE REALLY NEEDS TO GO INTO THE OFFICE. YOU SAID SHE GETS THE RUN AROUND ON THE PHONE, MAYBE SHE JUST DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE TELLING HER?? DON'T TAKE THAT THE WRONG WAY.

I had to go into the office to resolve a similar problem since I couldn't get a straight answer on the phone. Ends up it was a computer error - or more exactly someone entered the wrong amount on my account. So instead of getting a full payment, I got less. Took a little while but they fixed it.