Woman learns she’s been declared dead while trying to claim Social Security – small mistake led to 2-year nightmare
Since the Social Security Administration pronounced her deceased two years ago, a woman has had to deal with countless issues, and the accident is more frequent than you may imagine.
Federal data shows that the government incorrectly declares hundreds of Americans dead every year.
The error may make it impossible for people to access their retirement benefits and bank accounts.
People may be unable to obtain loans or employment as a result.
Sandra Hazel, a Brooklyn resident, was startled to discover in 2022 that she was on the SSA’s Death Master File.
She was attempting to set up her retirement benefits when the agency broke the news to her.
READ MORE ON SOCIAL SECURITY
The SSA mailed Hazel a letter that read, “We recently discovered that our records wrongly showed you as deceased,”
“How can you say that I’m deceased when I’m alive?” According to WCBS-TV, Hazel remarked.
The minor error resulted in problems that persisted for two years.
Hazel’s tax return was denied processing by the Internal Revenue Service in August of last year due to the fact that her social security number “belongs to someone deceased.”
“And I’m not getting no benefits from social security, none,” Hazel replied.
“I need to pay my rent. I need to pay my debts.
‘I’m scared,’ cries woman who was told her dead husband owes $34,000 to Social Security – and she still
The error has prevented Hazel from registering for Medicaid.
The most recent statistics from 2019 from the SSA shows that up to 7,000 Americans are inadvertently placed on the DMF.
However, the increase in electronic data has apparently resulted in a 45% decrease in incidences since 2011.
One woman claimed she lost access to her money after being pronounced deceased, which was a similar clerical error to Hazel’s.
How to contact the SSA
It’s critical to get in touch with the Social Security Administration right away if you believe they have declared you deceased.
The SSA can be reached at:
- Calling 1-800-772-1213
- Visiting your local SSA office
- Emailing the SSA support team
- Writing a letter to the following address:
Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries and Communications Support
1100 West High Rise
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
The agency’s website has additional details.
Philadelphia’s CBS affiliate, KYW-TV, heard 66-year-old Renee Williams say the event has been a “pain in the behind.”
At a doctor’s appointment, she horrifyingly learned that she had been declared dead.
Williams told the newspaper, “I went to the emergency ward on Friday, and they couldn’t get my insurance information,”
“She claimed that after trying multiple locations, they informed her that it was dormant. They said that I had passed away.
Williams said that her monthly Social Security checks had vanished as a result of the error, which had disastrous results for her.
“Her benefits, the banks, credit cards, it’s a lot,” Wadeeyah McNeil, Williams’ daughter, stated.
Read More on The US Sun
“It will take a long time for her to organize everything again. It will take a long time.
The SSA has been contacted for comment by the U.S. Sun.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!