I am retired and collect Social Security benefits. I recently received a letter from SSA without any explanation, forewarning or notification of right to appeal that they are going to begin withholding overpaid Social Security benefits each month for the next 12 months. When I called SSA the person I talked to was polite and friendly but was unable to determine any reason for the alleged over-payment. She expressed bewilderment, apologized and informed me that I would have to visit a local Social Security office in order to get an explanation.
The person at the SSA office at first was also unable to provide me with any explanation but when pressed seemingly went into a different system or information source. He then informed me that when my disabled adult son who was receiving Social Security benefits died 2 ½ years ago a benefit payment was inadvertently made after his death. And since the benefits he had been receiving were based upon my earnings record I was responsible for that payment. I asked him how that could be possible since I reported his death to SSA in a timely manner a few days after his death. He could not answer that nor could he tell me whether the payment transaction was processed or who processed it. I was told I had no right to appeal. I left with no further explanation other than a promise that they would look into it and the withholding would at least temporarily stop.:wallbang:
My suspicion is that my son’s bank account may have had a negative balance at the time of his death and that the bank received and processed the post death inadvertent benefit payment to offset the negative balance. This is speculation on my part and brings forth my second issue. The bank refuses to give me any information since I have no ties to his account.
Any thoughts, suggestions? Thanks.
The person at the SSA office at first was also unable to provide me with any explanation but when pressed seemingly went into a different system or information source. He then informed me that when my disabled adult son who was receiving Social Security benefits died 2 ½ years ago a benefit payment was inadvertently made after his death. And since the benefits he had been receiving were based upon my earnings record I was responsible for that payment. I asked him how that could be possible since I reported his death to SSA in a timely manner a few days after his death. He could not answer that nor could he tell me whether the payment transaction was processed or who processed it. I was told I had no right to appeal. I left with no further explanation other than a promise that they would look into it and the withholding would at least temporarily stop.:wallbang:
My suspicion is that my son’s bank account may have had a negative balance at the time of his death and that the bank received and processed the post death inadvertent benefit payment to offset the negative balance. This is speculation on my part and brings forth my second issue. The bank refuses to give me any information since I have no ties to his account.
Any thoughts, suggestions? Thanks.
Social Security Issues: Disputed Withholding of Social Security Benefits
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