A WOMAN is being forced to look after her mother’s undue debt.
However, this Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient had no idea this was happening.
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Marie S, an SSI beneficiary, recently found herself involved in a surprise debt, according to a post she wrote for Social Security Blog.
What began as a routine notification from the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding an overpayment quickly turned into a year-long saga, unearthing a long-forgotten chapter from 1976.
Marie’s ordeal began innocuously enough. After relying on SSI for five months, she was surprised by a notice indicating an overpayment of more than $1,500.
To her dismay, Marie discovered that the overpayment came from survivor benefits her mother received in 1976 following her father’s untimely death.
Although her mother receives checks, the burden of proof falls squarely on Marie’s shoulders.
“It’s a shame this isn’t retroactive for the last few months,” Marie wrote in her post.
SURVIVOR BENEFITS EXPLAINED
If you are a U.S. citizen receiving Social Security benefits, it is crucial to understand the benefits that may still be available to your family members after your death.
It is essential to promptly inform the Social Security Administration of the death of a family member or loved one who received Social Security benefits.
However, this notification does not necessarily imply the immediate suspension of payments.
Survivors of the deceased individual – including a spouse, child, or even parent – may qualify for Social Security benefits.
To be entitled to survivor benefits, the deceased must have contributed to Social Security for a sufficient period.
If there are no survivors or dependents, no additional payments will be disbursed.
There are limitations on receiving benefits, as well as specific scenarios where eligibility may not apply.
For example, remarriage may affect the eligibility of a widow, widower, or divorced surviving spouse.
Survivors who receive pensions from the government or from international employment may also face eligibility challenges.
It is essential to understand that benefits received in the month of death and in subsequent months must be repaid, as using the benefits of a deceased individual is a federal crime.
End of life does not necessarily mean cessation of payments, so it is essential to understand what benefits are available to you and/or your loved ones.
IT’S NOT THE ONLY CASE
Improper payments are not uncommon for those who receive Social Security benefits.
One beneficiary said he went without payment for several months due to an overpayment issue that he said was not his fault.
“Instead of getting my Social Security check on the 2nd Wednesday of March, I got 0,” they fumed in a separate Facebook thread.
They reported receiving a letter from SSA informing them that there would be no payments until July 24 to resolve the overpayment issue.
After visiting the local Social Security office and crying, their payments resumed, albeit with a slight reduction in each check to repay the overpayment, spread over several years.
Submitting a Waiver to the SSA
Those who are unable to repay the overpayment amounts indicated by the SSA or who feel they should not be able to do so can fill out a specific form.
- O form is identified as SSA-632 in the SSA website and can be completed and submitted at a local office.
- “If you agree that you received an overpayment, but you feel that you should not have to return it because you did not cause the overpayment and you are unable to repay it, you should complete Form SSA-632,” notes the SSA on your website.
- It also lists several refund options.
- Recipients with additional questions should call 1-800-772-1213.
In a separate development from Social Security, a mother faced a challenging situation when she discovered that her disabled daughter owed nearly $15,000 in Social Security Disability Insurance payments.
And another beneficiary expressed her feeling that she would repay the SSA “until she dies.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
