First of all, I want to say happy 2010 to everyone. 2009 was another year that went by super fast, and I think part of that has to do with the heavy number of hearings we had this past year. In trying to cure the Social Security backlog, Social Security had disability attorneys like me attending hearings it seems just about every week. Although we expect a busy year in 2010, I am sure it cannot possibly rival 2009!
To start off 2010, here’s some news of the most recent Social Security blooper: Close to six million social security recipients thought they had received a very
special holiday bonus from no other than the Social Security Administration. Notices received reflected that payments in January 2010 were coming one week earlier than they had in previous years. This was great news and definitely a welcomed notice for the millions of individuals that require these payments in order to live day-to-day. However, as quick as these notices came, a corrected notice followed.
The individuals affected are those beneficiaries who normally receive their benefits on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of each month. In the notices mailed, erroneous information indicated payments would be received one week earlier than the date people were accustomed to receiving their benefits. All additional information in these notices was correct.
To rectify this matter, the Social Security Administration issued a letter explaining the mistake to all beneficiaries affected. In a statement issued by Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, he stated,
We apologize for the inconvenience and confusion these incorrect notices will cause. The problem was caused by an unfortunate human error. We are correcting the misinformation as quickly as possible, and we are reviewing our processes closely to prevent this type of mistake from happening in the future. People receiving Social Security benefits in January 2010 should know that their payment will arrive on the same payment day that it has arrived in the past.
As least the Social Security Administration has openly admitted their mistake, has taken swift action to rectify the current problem, and is enacting procedures to prevent any future ones. If you are one of the claimants affected by this mistake, just know that your Social Security payments will continue as normal.
I received the same notice, except my notice said I was getting it on the 3rd of the month instead of the 2nd weds of the month because some of my information changed.
I hope my notice was correct and it gets left that way. Now I wonder……
I received $800 less a month than I should have for 4 years. They gave me the past due me but no monies for the mental and physical stress, lack of medical care, dental care, interest, I sold cartier and tiffany jewelry, could not get mental health care I needed for my disability, and the list goes on. How do I get restitution for living in jail for 4 years for a crime I did not commit?