One out of five Americans receives benefits from Social Security, including elderly retirees, people with severe illnesses, and widows and children of deceased wage earners.
With so many of our country’s most vulnerable citizens depending on us, we take our responsibility of providing them with a measure of financial security seriously.
One way we do that is by making a priority our many efforts to pursue those who would cheat the system and take money away from those who need it most.
The agency’s benefit programs are far-reaching and complex, which means that preventing, detecting, and combatting fraud, waste, and abuse is an ongoing challenge. Although we can’t prevent every instance of fraud any more than law enforcement can prevent all crimes, we aggressively investigate potential instances of fraud and pursue prosecution of those who commit it.
Our Office of Anti-Fraud Programs (OAFP) uses many tools to help predict where fraud may occur so we can identify it as quickly as possible. OAFP works alongside the Office of the Inspector General, and Disability Determination Services in the Cooperative Disability Investigation (CDI) program. CDI units investigate and resolve questions of fraud in our programs. There are stiff penalties: We seek the maximum punishment allowable under the law to restore money stolen from the American people. As a result, fraud affects only a very small percentage of our overall payments.
You can help protect your investment in Social Security. Take time to learn all the facts on how we work to prevent fraud. Remember, if you suspect fraud, report it or call the fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
I applied for disability and SSI back in March and been trying to get some information on the status. I have logged in to my Social Security account many times and haven’t gotten anywhere. The message has told me for 3 weeks that a decision has been made and I would receive a letter, but I have gotten nothing. I would appreciate it if maybe you could help me get some information on this issue. Thank you
Thanks for trying to use our online services – we appreciate it! After a medical decision has been made on the claim, the length of time it takes to process the application for payment can vary depending on whether your claim is randomly selected for a quality assurance review of the decision, or if we still need to verify documents or other personal information. We’re sorry for the wait you are experiencing, but we assure you that we care about our customers and are working as fast as we can. We encourage you to continue working with your local office, or if you have further questions, and would like to speak with someone regarding the status of your claim, call 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week.
You need to get a lawyer. I had to get a lawyer. I was told that all benefits are automatically denied & had so much trouble trying to get anything accomplished until I got a lawyer. I lost 2 years of income, spent my entire savings & retirement fund & now I live off of my disability income only & it’s not easy to say the least. I am in the lower income bracket, can’t live alone. I’d be on the streets if I didn’t have some family members to live with. I don’t know what my future holds for me & its very depressing. I can’t afford to buy a car to get around. Forget about ever taking a vacation or even eating out once in a while. This has ruined my life getting sick!!!
Sorry about your luck. While I know it is too late for you anyone working who does not carry disability insurance is taking a large risk. It is much more likely to become disable before retirement age than dying. My work carried that as a benefit but if it did not I would of bought that insurance. As you and countless others have found out , you can starve to death before you are approved for Social Security Disability. And almost always you need a lawyer to navigate the system.
I agree that no you don’t always have to get a lawyer for disability. But I do think it’s a little less stressful for the person whose applying as far as the stress of everything and that’s depends on the individual. I however did call a lawyer before trying to get it myself and I have to say it took 30 days and I was approved. They payed back pay for year and the week
After I received mine, my daughters came through also with a years back pay because of the date I was determined disabled. Maybe it has to do with the lawyers. But when I applied through the lawyers I had nothing more I need to do other than sign a release for them to get my records. A month later both checks were in the mail. I do think that the lawyers make it easier on the person applying but if your disabled and the lawer takes the case, it takes no time at all. Maybe not everyone but the majority
I have to say from experience, that all benefits are not automatically denied and you don’t HAVE to get a lawyer if your paperwork and documents are submitted properly. I went through this with my mother who suddenly became disabled a couple of years ago and her benefits were granted upon the first submission and she received her pay about 7 months later. It was a long wait but with all the fraud that steals tax payers money from the SS bucket, I’m glad they try to be thorough. Like I said, submit papers and documents thoroughly and you should not have a problem.
I am going though the same type of situation with ss. I had a lawyer who made it worse. I am now 68 and have no income. I am trying to get ssi but ss says i do have income ss. it is crazy and i was convicted of fraud by the lawyer for ss and did not know what i was doing.
What happened with the fraud charge
Convicted by the lawyer huh?
I’m going through the same thing and Im still waiting. I’ve gone through so much including discrimination as well as having to deal with a SS employee that isn’t even in my case fo into my file and tell mutual people I know the details of my claim. I’ve had enough!!
Work with the local office! Is that a joke? They aren’t qualified to make medical decisions! They rubber stamp “DENIED” on every claim. They are useless!
To clarify. Most Social Security disability claims are initially processed through a network of local Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices and State agencies (usually called Disability Determination Services or DDSs). The field office is responsible for verifying non-medical eligibility requirements, which may include age, employment, marital status, income, resources or Social Security coverage information. If the applicant meets these requirements, then we forward the application with any medical information provided by the applicant, to the Disability Determination Services. The field office does not make medical determinations. See Disability Determination Process for more information.
I started recieviing SS benefits after my discharge from the military. After the 2nd r 3rd year of receiving benefits I called the SS office and told them I may be able to go back to work. They asked if I was enrolled in college and I said yes. They told me not to call and that they would contact me when they would review my claim again. IAre these calls kept track of? Because if I am calling to update my status and that is the answer I am given on a few occasions what protects my rights if they investigate me later or during that time. I called to make them aware and protect myself , but I am not sure if these phone calls are recorded or documented, Anyone have an idea .
We THANK YOU for your service to our country. Social Security strongly supports those individuals who want to return to the work force while supplementing their disability benefit income. We have Work Incentives that allow people to work and still receive their benefits. If you get disability benefits and your condition improves or you return to work, report these changes to us by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contacting your local Social Security office. We hope this information helps.
I tried calling 18007721213 last Monday between 7 and 7:30am EST and was told by the automated response that their office is closed. I called today Dec 5th. between 9am and 10am and was aslo told again that their office is closed and that i should call back Mon-Fri between starting at 7am, cant remember what time the machine said ssa closes.
We apologize for the inconvenience John. Our telephone system seems to be operating properly. Representatives at our toll free number 1-800-772-1213 are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7.p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day, or later in the week. Remember, we respond to questions and provide general information on our Retirement, Survivors, Disability, Medicare and SSI programs. If you have a general question, we encourage you to ask here. But remember, never post personal information on social media. You can also create a my Social Security account to get estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, and review your earnings record and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. Thanks and please try again!
Hi I believe that my payee is robbing me on use an agency that’s taking my money and supposed to put in and escrow account talking about its for future bills can they do this without out my permission? ?
I applied for SSI benefits for my daughter in July she was removed and put into foster care for like 30 days she came home on a trial placement and she was recently approved. I want to know can dcfs stop me from getting her payments even tho she’s home with me
Hi Shareka, we are unable to provide an answer to your question. In your situation, it is best to contact your local field office. Or, you can call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 7:00pm. Thanks.
I need help i am trying to set up online account but it wont let me… i have tryed coupple times … can u please help me ….
Blah blah blah. All you get from these people are rhetorical trained generic responses. After four years of battle with these numnuts I finally won my case ( After dragging it to Supreme Court). AND still, a year leter I am waiting for my final payouts over the amout $17.000!!! Despite all, not a peep not a word.. Oh, and by the way, NEVER trust any attornies from Legal Aid of new Jersey.. I haven’t been able to contact him for over 5 months… Vicious hyenas have nothing on these people…
Your request is off topic, but don’t rely on just your computer for communication about your claim status. SSA will inform you of the nature of their decision by letter. If you haven’t recvd this by now, definitely call 800-772-1212 ask if if the letter is overdue & needs to be resent. Make sure SSA is sending this & all other mail to your current address. If a decision was made & you miss the expected appeal timeframe (60 days plus a few days extra for mailing), you’ll have to convince SSA in writing that you have “good cause” for submitting a late appeal (should that be necessary). Better not to go there!
Social security stealing my money and benefits lieing and said the social security did not do it and my money is dropping when it was going up and they took a chunk of my money and said the comminsoner stealing it.that also owe me a check they refuse to paid back.I also have a award letter saying I don’t paid for medicare and my vision act up from malpractice injury so they told me if I fill out paper from medicaid which I was told I also suppose to get medicaid that what the lawyer said that deal with the appeal for that.if you have email I can give you my personal email only so you can stop the fraud they doing to me you know the section code law stealing money from me.and I’m not allow to go or call them cause they file false police report on me and I have proof to give you of what they said and did to me I was assaulted and abuse by people in places cause it happen in both state that certain people of different kind that help to do that.what can you do for me I have court trying to fight the false report which my lawyer don’t want the proof maybe people with lawyers social workers since they refuse to help and judges and certain people the PD department and security officers and people that not part of the agency’s helping.they made me lose my job which I had needed it and turn off my insurances and made sure doctors not flushing and fixing what those people did I was also poison and treating by people in places cause they commuting crimes on the low would you like names of places and names so you can see what they about please reply thank you
And the agency’s acting funny too maybe they part of it how can you fix it you know the fraud law which they are accountable to the full punishhment of the section code law specailly to a us citizen asap I need my money fix what info you need of mine so you can fix it before it get out of hand they not trust worthy for me to call them so they can file another false report.what info you need of there so they can get pick up if not fix I don’t need people losing there jobs cause of others that dislike those who doing there job.they made me homeless I have no money to eat and my kids need things and hungry too can I send you the award letter on here or you have email so you can have them to fix it and deal with them too so they can drop the case with another agency with the same false report problem they doing when I have proof asap I need it fix I have bad side affect health problems which the doctor said I need plenty of bed rest and real meds to get rid of the bad health problem they cause thank you.
They refuse to give me another social security card and medicare card after being homeless for what they did to me and said the government in places stealing my money to paid there bills which they don’t do that I don’t know who part of it in places but please fix it and sent it to me thank you would you like my info do you have email private so you can stop it before others steal government funding for people I have info of places and you can stop it before its too late please hurry and message back and have them fix it asap I need my money fast I’m really really hungry and my kids need things too and with that I can find somewhere to stay thank you very so much please fix it take care
There criminal people that bothering me that receiving social security
Yes there is, and it’s not right or fair.
My father passed when I was thirteen I am now 26, but I was advised years ago about a check I should have received but didn’t and come to find out someone took my cheat and cashed it. I was not aware of this but after all these years is there something that could be done.
I’m in the same boat as you. I was forced to leave at gun point by my step dad and lived on the streets until my friends father told me about the social security money I should’ve been getting. Turns out I lost close to $20,000 of my checks that were being cashed without me knowing. I got a years worth when I moved back into my mom but I’m still wondering about all the money I lost from them stealing it and if there’s anything I can do to get it back?
Thank you for your comment Kyle. The office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigates a variety of situations that may be considered fraud, such as when an individual misuses benefits when acting as a Representative Payee. Also, we will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Me and other family members have reported an individual numerous times and the individual has been punished one time, by having 75.00 deducted each month off original amount. The individuals child does not meet criteria to receive ssi income, the mother of child received benefits when child lived with father, which is not right, and the individual receives 1900.00 month in child support income and grosses over 500.00 a week…which if calculated correctly, she doesn’t qualify to even get ssi income. Attorneys have sent certified letters to ssi, Medicaid, and foodstamps, but yet, this individual still receives benefits. Who do we need to contact about this? All information backing up everything we say has been turned over to your office more than once. Also, child has not had vaccinations since 2010…she is 6 yrs old. Mother has not kept any appts that were ordered by dr., and 1800.00 worth of our tax payer dollars went to fitting and making this child ankle braces which mother has yet to pick up for the child. Something needs to be done about this. Child has mild EDS, double jointed. She has enrolled in cheer, swimming, dance, and yoga all paid for by the father. She has no restrictions as her type of EDS is mild and does not keep her from learning or participating in active sports.
There are alot of things that are looked at when applying for dissability. Your age and extent of your percieved dissability. I would wait before hiring an attorney to see what response you recieve. If you are awarded disability you will be paid from the date you filed the claim. If you are denied dissability I would then look contact an attorney.
I am glad to hear you are going to do something about FRAUD in Social Security. Sending checks to the deceased, to people that gave not paid in and to those that are not citizens. What happened? that it has gone so awry??? Those that have paid in and followed the rules are being threatened everyday, hearing there may not be Social Security, that you are broke! Please stop the FRAUD and terror! Let’s see it happen now!
It has taken me 4 years to the day. To get my ssdi started now I have made a couple of neighbors angry and they have started trying to get me in trouble with ssdi.iv been told that. These neighbors have reported me. For. Fraud. I have a bad back along with a sever case of osteoauthritis in every joint in my body. I have been ordered by my dr to try to stay moving that helps with the stiffness. But. My neighbors are constantly taking pics of me. What should I do??
What you should do is move and quit telling people you have applied for ss
you dont have to be citizen of USA, just a legal resident or green card holder, for your information
If fraud is such a issue and the SSA is serious about it then why has the administration not adopted the use of Social Security cards with a photo ID on them. This I believe would help in preventing fraud. I saw a article that SSA over a ten year period incorrectly gave away billions of dollars in disability checks, some even to dead people. I think in the 21 century, with all the computer power we have, the SSA can do better than this. Isn’t the your middle name “Security”
We need Photo ID to stop this fraud. I have a Autistic son and I can- not get social security disability for him.
The photo idea is not bad, but SSN cards currently don’t expire & thus the pictures would go out of date. Instead to prove that you are the person named on the card, it is only necessary that you present ID with the SSN card (like a driver’s license, state ID, or a passport). Unfortunately, some that accept fraudulently presented (often fake) SSN cards, i.e. some employers, aren’t really that interested whose SSN is being presented so even a photo wouldn’t necessarily help. Probably a better more modern approach would to be to manufacture SSN cards with a chip (like most new credit cards) & require that employers obtain a SSN card chip readout for all their employees each year.
BTW, the vast majority of the disability money that gets incorrectly paid is not money paid to the incorrect person. One problem is that beneficiaries don’t always report timely when they return to work, and by the time SSA finds out from IRS, the beneficiary is grossly overpaid. Also, SSA has failed at times to act timely when clients do report their work, but SSA has been working hard to resolve this problem with improved software. In my opinion there is still plenty of room for better & timelier database interfacing between SSA, Homeland Security, & IRS, but this would require additional funding (not only for SSA) & would require changes to current law.
There is another issue inflating the “incorrect paid benefits” issue that is almost impossible for SSA to resolve. Much money is paid to those that SSA has determined to be no longer disabled. However, beneficiaries have appeal rights and the option to elect to continue to be paid until appeals are exhausted. Not that the beneficiary’s right to continue benefits in this way is a bad thing, as many are successful with their disability cessation appeals once sufficient medical information is obtained. Immediately stopping benefits for persons that remain truly disabled would result in forcing many to be unnecessarily homeless and on the streets. Besides the personal hardships this would cause, it would also create additional societal problems and costs (such as to emergency rooms) and this would likely negate for society any money SSA would save.
I agree with what you saying Steve social security cards with I pic so social security can stop letting people steal my money in the office and out of the office and they hurt me in the social security office to when they detain me left marks on me I show it to those cops and they told them to let me go I did nothing and have no info of them but there names and where they work only that’s all I need to give you
Medical places and social security have my medical record and still messing with me but now if I call the IRS then it won’t be funny so please fix it anyway I can’t go there cause of lack of vision problem they cause they told me my eyes going to get fix and any mental health and medical problems they cause that hurting me so when I try seeing my kids it feel like I have eyes injury’s they cause please fix it asap so I can have a warm place to stay at with my health problems they cause I need a safe warm place so I can feel comfortable in my own place to stay at and stay safe and warm the doctor told me its cold to play with people asap thanks it suppose to be send in my account.don’t listen to them calling me a liar ask me and I send you proof asap please fix can’t get medical fix until you have them turn it back on thank you
How do we investigate Social Security Employees that harrass people who receive SSI and disablity which is also a ongoing problem.,They treat you like your automatically lying to them and treat you like second class . Just like the IRS someone should investigate and look into Social Security as well… just a thought and opinion .
Thanks for your feedback, Richard. SSI is a needs based program intended for disabled individuals who have limited income and resources, so we review SSI cases from time to time to make sure the individuals receiving checks are still eligible to get them. There are many variables in determining when and how often we review SSI cases, including but not limited to changes in resources, income, living situation, or medical conditions. We apologize if you felt harassed when our representatives asked you questions related to these issues. You can request to speak to a manager on your next visit to discuss any perceived employee misconduct. You can also reach us by visiting our “Email A Question to our Support Team” web page, where you can send us an email with your comments or questions.
I had to report my contact at my local SSA office. He was very patronizing and condescending. I’ll bet my IQ is higher than his. I told him he didn’t have to speak rudely to me. Claimed he wasn’t. Since calls are recorded I turned his butt in
Yes that is true. I have a nephew who stepdaughter is 20 and they live with me and her mother gives her what ever she wants there is nothing wrong with her other then she sees a shrink every wk just so the shrink puts her on ssi. Nothing has happened to the 20 yr old it’s just she is PURE lazy. She is very smart and sits all day on her cell phone just waiting to go on ssi. She never went to look for job and her mother makes her do NOTHING it upsets me and I want to put them out but I can’t do that to my nephew. I and my husband and nephew and wife work really hard to make ends meet and here sits a dam 20 yr old want for dr to put her on ssi cause she reads things on her phone that tells you how to do the system. She is very proud not to look for job. It just upsets me. Think I could get hold of her dr and let her know that she is faking. Please help
First of all, who are you to say that she is faking. Are you a Dr? Are you qualified to give diagnosis. Do you realize that SSDI and SSI can be awarded to those with disabilities mentally, or emotionally, or are even sufferers of disorders that you can’t see? The fact that she does nothing but sit on the phone all day is a read flag. Are you and your husband excepting rent money from any of the family member connected to the young lady receiving benefits? I want the SSA to know that there is also a reverse fraud trend happening where people call SSA to report fraud on a beneficiary out of mallace, jealousy, and envy. Working people, people who have been blessed with no disability, and whom have been blessed with the ability to go into the world and earn a wage think that, if the beneficiary is not slumped over, lame, unable to talk, or suffer from extreme retardation then they aren’t disabled. They get on threads like these and make comments like the one I’m replying to. This is a huge problem that I could only imagine bogs down the fraud detection and investigative systems! Because a person is smart or intelligent DOES NOT mean that they aren’t suffering from a disability you don’t see! Intelligence is awesome but useless if you can’t get out of your bed, or muster up the courage to even go into convenient stores. Being smart means NOTHING when youre to scared to leave your house! Degrees, certifications, licenses mean nothing when you’re so caught up in horrible thoughts that you can’t manage bathing, or getting to a place on time, or even remember what you’re supposed to do when you finally took enough medicine to get yourself there! #SSA I really feel like you need to look into this. I hear about people doing it all the time just out of hatefulness and spite. And to the grown woman who wrote this judgmental, threatening post, about someone whom you hardly know, you need to check your motives, and your judgmental attitude! You know nothing of what that young lady might be going through and unless you hear her say “I’m just faking it to get the money” or something along those lines then you have no business attempting to diagnos someone based on what you see. Also SSI benefits are not even for disabled people but for low to no income ppl though some disabled people receive SSI on top of their SSDI (DISABILITY BENEFITS) so I think first mind your business, and second AND third, be extatic of the fact that you and your husband are blessed to be able to maintain gainful employment to support your family and stop making rash decisions and judgments based on what you think is disabled or not disabled or low income or not low income
And may I also say to SSA this reverse SS fraud I.e. making false fraud claims against beneficiaries because one doesn’t THINK that a person should be receiving or isn’t disabled out of spite it really needs to be dealt with. A lot of beneficiaries live in fear. Yeah you could say don’t tell anyone but hey get this, you have to tell who you rent your home or apt from where you receive your income, and that leasing agent or landlord has a mouth that they use at their descretion! They blab to one person and the whole neighborhood/complex is taking pictures of you getting groceries out of your car or taking a walk! Its ridiculous and those citizens who do abuse the fraud reporting system to bring up these false reports, they need to be dealt with at the same level of discipline as those who steal from SSA! removing myself from soap box. #goodday!
If SSA took fraud seriously it would be transparent about it. Transparency would be to publish the number of claimants that have experienced fraudulent filing of internet claims on their records. Transparency would mean publishing data regarding those who have experienced benefit theft from their mySSA accounts when thieves diverted their checks into their direct deposit bank accounts. Over 100,000 customers have experienced such robbery.
Don’t lie to the public about SSA’s fraud vigilance. If SSA was vigilant about fraud, it would have instituted far greater security measures to prevent cyber thieves from filing false internet applications and stealing claimants benefits. Instead it was expedient for SSA to institute minimal security to enhance SSA’s goal of forcing claimants to file on the internet and therefore allowing SSA to close offices and reduce staff.
Social Security has taken action to fight fraud. In addition to strengthening our procedures for identifying callers who request changes on the phone, we also added unique and stringent fraud protection tools to our online registration and authentication technology. For security purposes, we cannot publicly discuss the specifics of the modifications we made. Our efforts to prevent fraud have been successful, and the amount of fraud in our programs is extremely low. Opening a my Social Security account is safe—as well as quick, free, and easy. You will need to provide some personal information and answer some questions only you are likely to know. This process protects you and keeps your information private. There are extra security features, too. You can have unique text message codes sent to your cell phone each time you want to sign in. There is even an address bar at the top of your screen indicating the website has an extended validation certificate. This means the information you provide to Social Security will be encrypted and that the website has been verified by a certification authority.
Keep in mind that, although we have made our online services safe and convenient, we remain fully committed—now and in the future—to sustaining our local offices to provide face-to-face service to members of the public who need or prefer to conduct business with us in person. It’s all about choice. We understand the service expectations of the public are evolving, and we need to meet these changing expectations as the demand for our service grows. Join the 19 million satisfied customers who have successfully set up my Social Security accounts. You can safely review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record, and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid.
hey Ben stop with the propaganda. publish SSA’s fraud statistics regarding I claims and MYSSA. Thousands of customers have been defrauded and all you can reply with are platitudes. Publish the statistics on how many have been victimized. Anyone who files online or does business via mySSA is taking a huge risk. Go to the SSA office. Don’t risk identity theft by filing online. Why do SSA managers encourage customers to file online at libraries where their private info can be easily stolen??? All SSA wants to do is dupe the public in filing online and then close field offices so the public has no other choice.
sometimes SSA became ridiculous, my father is 80 years old, and confused many times because a stroke he had.but if he get online to check his benefits or something, his old fingers make errors, once or two times, SSA, suspended his electronic access for 24 hours, come on, why they dont use the security questions (3) instead.is not easy even for me, am younger, capital letters, numbers and so on changing passwords every 6 months, SSA is dealing with elderlies and disabled,find another way not suspended access.what if the person is sick and cant call SS, nobody else can do it, some kind of discrimination is this, against the elderlies.
Our son has insulin dependant Diabetes, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, and his immune system is in bad shape. He applied for disability with Social Security and thus far has been told by a SSA judge to see their doctor. He spent exactly 3 minutes with the Doctor and was told he had no restrictions on working, walking, climbing or any type of exercise. With that determination he was turned down for his claim and has to reapply. Thanks to SSA he has already waited over two years only to be told it will be a lot longer still. He is unable to work or provide for his family. It appears SSA does not care, unless they are hoping he will die before they have to pay.
We are sorry to hear of your son’s condition, and that his application for disability benefits did not go the way you had hoped. If your son does not agree with our decision, he has the right to file an appeal. To learn more about the four levels of appeal and how the appeals process works, see The Appeal Process page on our web site.
If his disability claim was denied at the hearing level, he may ask for a review by Social Security’s Appeals Council before he files a new claim, but he must ask for a review in writing within 60 days of receiving the hearing decision.
I have a similar situation and my son was actually on SSI. It was taken away when he was 19 because they said he was no longer considered disabled with ALL of the same conditions! Plus NOW they are charging him for overpayment!! So frustrating and no help from anyone to fight!! Meanwhile, a relative is getting her daughter’s disability money without her daughter even living with her!! No justice!!!!!
Fraud investigation is a joke! I an an attorney practicing SS law and receive numerous inquiries about turning in someone for fraud. When I contact SSA about fraud they refuse to take a third party report, also they will not keep confidential the reporting person.
Thanks for your efforts in helping us fight fraud, Robert. You can report fraud online to our Office of the Inspector General, where reporting is easy, safe and secure. You can remain anonymous, but keep in mind that your decision for anonymity may limit our ability to conduct a complete investigation. The length of time that it takes to investigate a fraud case varies. Also, federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of information contained in law enforcement records even to the individual making the allegation.
Lorenzo, I firmly expected a young woman of committing fraud and three times updated the Office of The Inspector Grneral. She is a confirmed felon & I’d like to know if a felon can receive disability. She rented from me and told me to my face she was working for a friend cleaning apartments for cash. She has 4 children and at only 33 was collecting checks for herself & all of her 4 kids. After her first arrest, one father got full custody of his child and I doubt very seriously that she informed the SSA Disability Division that she was no longer qualified to receive money for that child. Lastly she’s been arrested under two aliases & been married at least 3 times so who knows which name she is using to collect her disability. I feel that as the person who began the investigation) with an urgent push from a young man at the SSA after having pulled and viewed her file, I should be allowed to know what the outcome was of the investigation that I started. Don’t you believe I have s right to know if she was cheating my Government and if I was correct in my assumptions?
Denise, the length of time that it takes to investigate a fraud case varies. Also, federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of information contained in law enforcement records even to the individual making the allegation. Please see our Office of the Inspector General web page to learn more about how we handle reports of fraud.
check someone name bernadette beauboin. she lives in haiti never work in this country and get medicare free and money. she has a hotel in haiti rented to people for office. why does she received money from the tax payers? too many haitians are committed fraud and we the honest one are paying the price.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT BERNADETTE BEAUBRUN, WHO COME HERE EVERY SIX MONTHS TO GET HER MONEY AND USE MEDICARE WHILE SHE NEVER WORK A DAY HERE. CHECK HER ADDRESS IN MEDFORD MA WHERE SHE STAYED TO COLLECT HER FRAUD MONEY. WHILE I WORKED FOR 47 YEARS HERE AND COLLECT SSC AND CAN’T EVEN PAY MY MORTGAGE WHILE SHE HAS HER MENSION IN HAITI COLLECTING PAYMENT FROM HER OFFICE SPACE. NOW SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THESE FRAUD.
No you do not have the right to know and you need to mind your own business, you have already reported the woman. And yes a felon can recieve benefits, in a lot of cases while they are incarcerated awaitin trial. You did enough and you do not know what disability someone has by seeing them occasionally! How would you know if she reported that she does not care for one of her children anymore?
IT’S ABOUT TIME!!!
For what?
Free tablets!
Social Security treats ordinary beneficiaries like criminals with no way of communicating with the SS accusers to clarify accusations of fraud. In the late 90s, SSA billed me for $20,000 for checks I was not entitled to, but which I was returning to them. I had solid proof that I was returning the checks on two fronts, but I could only fix the error by going to my congressman because SSA gave me no other means of communicating with their gestapo.
I feel you. Welcome to club.
If the SSA cared so much their document would be more understandable the web site would be easier to use and god forbid try to get an answer over the phone
For real
Joe, sorry you had difficulty reaching us by phone, but we sometimes experience higher than normal call volume. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Our representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and can review and explain what you see on the web site or the content of any letters you received from us. Our toll free number is 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Even when a representative answers the phone, many times they are unable to answer any questions. I have requested a copy of my file months ago and the AC has stated that they do not know when it will be sent. I ask for verification that they have certain documents and their response is that they can not answer my questions because my file is a paper file and they do not have access to it. Who Does I ask? No real answer is given.
100% agree
I applied for disability and SSI account and been trying to get some information on the status.I have logged in to need new Social Security account many times and haven’t gotten anywhere. The message has told me for 3 months that a decision has been made and I would receive a letter, but I have gotten nothing. I would appreciate it if maybe you could help me get some information on this issue. Thank you.
Thanks for trying to use our online services – we appreciate it! After a medical decision has been made on the claim, the length of time it takes to process the application for payment can vary depending on whether your claim is randomly selected for a quality assurance review of the decision, or if we still need to verify documents or other personal information. We’re sorry for the wait you are experiencing, but we assure you that we care about our customers and are working as fast as we can. We encourage you to continue working with your local office, or if you have further questions, and would like to speak with someone regarding the status of your claim, call 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week.
I am disabled. .. i tryed to open online account like the rep at 1800 -772-1213 told me i can .. but when trying it would not let me ? Can u help and wen u call the number they dont tell u how to fix it issue. . Wen talk to rep lest for me it seems they don’t want to help me … i didnt get any letter saying there was problem. ..should be worried.
Dear sir,
I have respect and always ready for implement your project from Bangladesh.
thank you
Bijoy
nus.Bangladesh
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE DISABLED PEOPLE GOING BE BACK TO THE WORKFORCE WITHOUT DISCRIMATION FROM CORPORATIONS.
my son rene hurrinus lives with his dad and step mother and his step mother is his payee.now rene gets no money or anything out of his oney I have to spend mine on him.his step mother spends his on her kids she has.isnt there something that can be done about that.i mean he needs new clothes and new shoes and she wont get them he ask for money he don’t get it.he wants me to be his payee but she wont allow it.cold give me some ideas on what to do please and thanks
Something doesn’t sound right. How come the check is not given to his father and why isn’t his father looking after him
Cheryl, generally minor children need a representative payee to help them manage their benefits. When we select someone to serve as a child’s representative payee, we usually look for a parent or family member living in the same household. A representative payee is required to keep records of all payments received and how they are spent or saved. If you think a representative payee is misusing benefits, tell us right away by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Social Security Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. If we find misuse, we will then take action to recover the misused money, and may name a new representative payee for the child. When a new payee is needed, we require a face-to-face interview with the person who wishes to apply to be the new representative. If you are interested in applying to be a representative payee and would like to understand a payee’s responsibilities, please read our publication: A Guide For Representative Payees. Or, you can contact your local Social Security office directly.
Yes I thank we should have our Picture on our Cards it would help ‘
[ Is it fraud when a “live in” boyfriend uses his girlfriends disability money for his own bills food and shelter and medical expenses for about the last two years ? I have seen this occur and have a suspicion this is a common occurrence elsewhere . I sense it is a scam being done, because it’s taking away from the disabled person I believe this should be addressed . Also, when one is disabled but has the ability to do a little part time work, Is this money also considered part of the disability money which the boyfriend uses. There are many ways that it seems fraud is taking place, and is visible, But how can social security tell who is the hand using the money given? Example like putting gas in a vehicle or food purchases or shelter utilities etc use , even medicines ???? The invisible fraud of the scammer. Thank you. ]
Beth, you can report suspected fraud online to our Office of the Inspector General, where reporting is easy, safe and secure. You can remain anonymous, but keep in mind that your decision for anonymity may limit our ability to conduct a complete investigation.
Why is it that hard working people who contibuted to SSA and FICA during their work lifetime do not get any medical and financial help from the government whereas, recent off the boat immigrants who contributed nothing in any sort of taxes, FICA or SSA taxes is eligible for Medicaid. On top of that, these immigrants refuse or are ignorant in learning the English language and bragging that they get all these benefits without contributing a dime into the system. They are really stealing taxpayer’s money. The government should be very leery in making these people eligible for Medicaid. Most of them , do not have any health issues or problems. They go to doctors who commit fraud. This is where SSA money is wasted. It should be given to retired taxpaying people or disabled War veterans instead of these phony piece of crap that’s coming into this mismanaged country.
NONE of that money comes from SSA, its from your State. Call your Congressman/Rep. and express this to them. Call fro Medicaid/CAL reform, it would be greatly beneficial from the sound of it.
If people are on SSI or Social Security or Partly Mental Insecure, how many neighbors or so called church workers take advantage of them, by charging something like $100.00 to take them shopping and asking them to purchase beer and achohol drinks , wine for them to get drunk on, and the Mental Copasited victums are drinking and getting drunk every month when their money arrives. And if they are not capable of even counting their money are being taken advantage of.
My son has been on SSI since he was 18 years old. He has many disabilities. First, his father was a Viet Nam Vet, Boots on The Ground, Exposed to Agent Orange, which is continued onto their offspring. Our oldest son was born with MILD MENTAL RETARDATION, IS BIPOLAR, ADHD, HYPERACTIVITY. He has been a CLIENT OF THE REGIONAL CENTER SINCE HE WAS 7 YARS OLD. HE IS GOING TO A FACILITY IN THE ANTELOPE VALLEY IN CALIFORNIA FOR THE HANDICAP AND DISABLED TO GET A JOB, WHICH WILL PAY HIM FAR BELOW MINIMUM WAGES. HE WILL AT THAT POINT PROBABLY HAVE TO LIVE IN HIS CAR UNTIL HE CAN GO OUT INTO THE WORKING FIELD TO MAKE ENOUGH TO PAY RENT TO RENT A ROOM FROM SOMEONE. HE ATTENDED SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES THROUGH OUT SCHOOL. AT THE AGE OF 14, MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TOURETTES SYNDROME. HE HAS COMPREHENSION PROBLEMS, SUCH AS UNDERSTANDING PAPERWORK THAT HE RECEIVES FROM SSI, HAS TO CALL ME OR FAX ME THE PAPERWORK SO I CAN TRY TO HELP HIM UNDERSTAND IT AND HE HAS TROUBLE WITH MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS. NOW THAT HE IS HIS OWN PAYEE, HE WILL HAVE TO FILL OUT THE YEARLY EXPENSE REPORT, WHICH HE WILL NOT UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO IT, SO IT WILL BE ME THAT WILL HAVE TO FILL IT OUT FOR HIM. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE DOCTOR HE SAW FELT HE WAS CAPABLE OF BEING HIS OWN PAYEE. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE SS CAN LET THOSE WITH THESE DISABILITIES DECIDE ON THEIR OWN BEHAVE THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THEIR PAYEE. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IF A PAYEE IS ABUSING HIS MONEY HE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN AND REQUEST A NEW PAYEE, BUT I FEEL THAT HE, HIMSELF SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO JUST CHANGE PAYEE. I FEEL THAT THE SITUATION SHOULD BE REVIEWED BEFORE A PAYEE IS CHANGED. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SYSTEM?? HE WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE A DOCTOR THROUGH SS FOR EVALUATION TO SEE IF HE STILL QUALIFIES FOR SSI. HE JUST RECIEVED A LETTER FROM SSI THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE 2 MORE CHECKS THEN WILL BE CUT OFF OF SSI, AS THEY SAY HE IS ABLE TO WORK NOW. HE IS HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING A JOB AND HAS TO HAVE HELP FILLING OUT AN APPLICATION. I AM APPEALING THIS DECISION AND WILL FIGHT IT TILL WE GET A LETTER STATING THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE HIS SSI. I GUESS THERE WAS A MIRACLE THAT HAPPENED, THAT WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT THAT HE IS CURED ALL OF A SUDDEN!!! I AM THOUROUGHLY UNHAPPY WITH THEIR DECISION AND WILL FIGHT THIS ALL THE WAY TO SEE THAT HE CONTINUES TO GET HIS SSI THAT HE DESERVES. BEINGS THAT HE IS NOT OF RETIREMENT AGE, HE CAN NOT TO MY KNOWLEGE GET DISABILITY THAT I KNOW OF. I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW SSI CAN PICK JUST ANY DOCTOR TO REVIEW A DISABLED PERSON AND SAY, “NOPE” HE DOES NOT NEED SSI ANYMORE.
I AM NOW GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER BATTLE ON MY BEHALF.
Hi Lorna. Social Security reviews SSI cases from time to time to make sure the individuals receiving checks are still eligible to get them. There are many variables in determining when and how often we review SSI cases, including but not limited to changes in resources, income, living situation, or medical conditions. How often your son’s medical condition is reviewed depends on how severe it is and the likelihood it will improve — see SSI Continuing Disability Reviews for more information. The yearly expense report is used to monitor how the representative payee spends or saves the benefits on behalf of the beneficiary, so if your son now his own payee, he will not have to complete the report. However, if you’re still concerned that he needs help with paperwork and managing his benefits, you can re-apply to be his payee. We require a face-to-face interview with the person who wishes to apply to be his new representative payee. To appeal his SSI decision, he must do it within the time indicated in the letter he received. He can also request that his benefits continue while we review his case again.
In your son’s situation, it is best to visit his local office. You can go with him to help, and can also apply to be his new payee. We hope this information helps.
It won’t help…just be glad they didn’t charge you or your son an overpayment!
Trying to understand the web site. Our 10 year old neighbor believes her SSN was used by someone else. She obviously does not work. So how can she check if there is activity using her number? Is there some link I have missed.
Note: I know this is not a “reply” to the above comment but I also see no place to start a new subject.
Bill, if your neighbor suspects someone is using her Social Security number, her parents should immediately report it to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT(1-877-438-4338).
Left us seek peace!!!
Re-checked the new website; it’s good. I found everything.
On another front, SSA is so concerned about fraud, it’s becoming very difficult for disabled to qualify. It’s reached the ‘beyond a reasonable doubt standard’ rather than the substantial evidence standard. One must have medical backing, but they can’t afford medical care. The ACA has been a godsend for some.
Why are people who have a New Jersey address and are on Medicare allowed to lie about their address? When they really live in Pennsylvania? Are the rates for insurance higher or lower?
It’s disheartening to hear the Right Wing, GOP & teaparty harp about benefits like retirement and disability and all SSA awards as if they are undeserved entitlements that should not be paid. Then they get to add overpayments, whatever fraud exists and costs as if SSA is robbing them and “their children’s futures”. The worst thing I know is that the efforts SSA will continue to make to be efficient and watchful are undercut by what I saw at SSA’s ODAR in Region IX that was the most flagrant disregard for resources and claimants by management and some staff whose wasteful and illegal activities rivaled GAO, DEA and Secret Service employees who were caught stealing in terms of timekeeping and more: not working, not even present at work sometimes while being paid. That fraud, the misconduct of staff and management is impossible to report effectively to SSA’s OIG and it goes on and cannot be even reported without attacks on the messenger, period. As long as that kind of protection and permissive treatment of cheaters and time-keeping theives continues what hope is there? Protection of bad staff and mgmnt additionally ends up costing so much HR and professional time and pay to produce less than nothing, by attacking any whistleblowers as if that alone is an actual job.
Mike on August 20, 2015 at 5:12 pm said:
The site can be a double edge sword. Anyone who has an ax to grind with you can use this as a vehicle to smear your name by submitting lies and non truths damaging your character and forcing you to defend your name provided your are innocent of any wrong doing. SS must vet these people to ensure the caller does not have a vendetta. Normally this occurs when people close to the person on disability has a grudge and knows enough about the person to fabricate wrong doing. If this is not done great harm could result
Thank you, Mike, for your comments and concerns. Social Security takes protecting the public’s personal information very seriously. While we want to provide an opportunity for everybody to express their opinion freely, we also ask that participants in this blog respect the privacy of others as well as to conform to our comment policy. We do not have access to personal records in this blog. Our goal is to provide general information, educate our readers about our programs, answer general questions about Social Security and direct readers to the appropriate resources. Please Do NOT enter any personal information in this blog.
just have a question if someone is receiving a monthly ssi check that means they cant work due to restrictions right? I need someone from fraud to contact me as I know first hand someone who has been working and collecting a ssi check
Hi Rose and thank you for your question. Special rules make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments and Medicare or Medicaid. Social Security calls these rules “work incentives.”
The law requires SSI beneficiaries to report their wages monthly, and that we monitor their work activity and pay them benefits accordingly. The amount of their SSI benefit is based, in part, on their income and available resources. Although the Social Security Act sets out a very strict definition of disability, we also have work provisions that can encourage people on disability to return to the work force and fulfill their desire to be productive.
I was wrong to indicate “this site” when I submitted my blog on August 20th.. I was meaning to say that the reporting system should weigh this when information on someone was reported. My apologies
Mike
WHAT ABOUT MY LAST NAME. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IF SOMEONE DESERVE HELP FROM SSI, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET IT. BUT IF SOMEONE IS FAKING ILLNESS SO THEY GET RICHER WITH THE AMERICAN MONEY, THEY SHOULD BE PUNISHED. FRAUD IS FRAUD AND I DON’T CARE WHO THE PERSON IS. BECAUSE SOMEONE HAVE CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY AND THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH LYING TO GET MONEY IS WRONG. I SAY MY PEACE AND HOPE YOU CHECK THIS LADY UP. I KNOW I HAVE THE SAME AS HERS, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE BENEFITS BETTER THAN HERS WHO DOES NOT NEED A DIME FROM THE GOVERNMENT. LIVING IN HAITI WITH ALL HER MAIDS AND CHEAT PEOPLE WHO NEED THE MONEY HERE IS WRONG.
I have a social security person threatened me about my benefits because of my payee what do I do
I know a few people that collect ssd and there is nothing wrong with them but all they do is drugs with that money, so sad
I know someone who is committing SSI fraud for the last 8 years. I have turned them in 5 times to the Office Inspector General, the person committing fraud is still continuing to work, even posting internet solicitations on Google etc. There is so much evidence against this person, why hasn’t Social Security investigating this matter, I have given very clear, and concise information including their business numbers and addresses etc. to this day they are still in business and collecting SSI payments at the same time, what a shame this case is extremely easy to process all the evidence is clear, fraud is being committed and nothing for the past 8 years nothing has been done, and the taxpayers continue to “fit the bill” for this person who is criminal, please do something about this matter!
Tracy, thanks so much for helping us fight fraud. When allegations of fraud are reported to our Office of the Inspector General, they conduct the required investigations, but federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of information contained in law enforcement records even to the individual making the allegation. So unless you are contacted directly by one of our investigators, there will be no further communication from the OIG. Keep in mind, however, that it is possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive their benefits. The law requires SSI beneficiaries to report their wages monthly, and we monitor their work activity and pay them benefits accordingly. The amount of their SSI benefit is based, in part, on their income and available resources.
My father receives SSI/SSA benefits. He was in a horrible accident on the 2nd of July of this year. He was hospitalized and then sent to a Nursing Home. He is in a vegetative state and it’s just a matter of time now till he passes. He had a live in girlfriend when this happened, she has access to his debit card and has been spending all of his money. She claims it’s for their apartment and utilities..From day 1 we all knew he was never returning home… Can she do this? She collected July, August and September’s money. Now the Nursing Home receives it all for his care. I personally think its theft, they were not married and have only been together a very short time.
How long does it take for an investigation? My ex husband was getting a check for our kids that I have for over 7 years. I turned in school records to my local SS office.
I worked for a company last year , from July to November , when i receive the statement from social security administration , i see the employer dont report my earnings to social security administration. Please what can i do?
Hi Mathieu. One reason some or all of your earnings from last year may not show on your Social Security Statement is because we may have been processing last year’s earnings reports when your Statement was prepared. Earning statements are updated annually, when employers report their employees’ earnings for the previous year to Social Security. We recommend that you contact the human resources department of your former employer first. We also recommend that you create a my Social Security account, which allows you to review your earnings record, get estimates of your future retirement benefits, and show you the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. For further assistance call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
How do i get report of earnings from when used to work???
I worked for a company last year from July 2014 to November 2014 ,this year i receive my social security administration statement my earnings dont mention in it.what can i do?
My father received some sort of SS checks on the mail with my name on them, however he spent them in the bar and elsewhere. About 4 months before my 18th birthday he sent me away and kept claiming me to be in his home, under his care. But I have been living on my own, since I attend college and am paying it out of my own pocket. He also might be claiming my other siblings whom do not live with him, receiving their checks as well. What can I do?
Hi Maria, Generally, we pay Social Security benefits to the parent or the family member who is the primary care provider of the children, if the children live with them. If you think your father is misusing benefits, you must report it immediately. Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
My sibling made up ailments and receives disability payments and brags about it – I report it online and try to call but no one ever answers the phone and no one ever investigates it…it is disgusting that this person gets away with this theft….and the System doesnt seem to care….
I too see a neighbor who has one disability. She bought a fairly new Chrysler 300 and shops. Claims her arms are weak but she can carry in the packages from shopping.
In my opinion she could work but is simply lazy. I do in mind that karma will get her.
Thank you
If it was taken seriously , it would be addressed when reported. It’s a joke!
So many people do need it, but when you see the abuse it’s hard for the hardworking to sit back and watch nothing happen.
My friend gets ssi for her kid but she lied about her living status. Will they take it away from her
Hi Betty, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits can be affected by the beneficiary’s living arrangement. We also consider their total household income and available resources. If you suspect misuse of SSI, report it. Please call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or, you can contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
I continually read what the government says is my responsibility , but the government never prints what their responsibility is! This article states, that social security takes fraud against the social security office seriously, but they do not care if people on social receives their benefits. The social security will just say that it is out of their hands- no investigation and no action. If an American moves to another country, the American will lose his ability to communicate with American government offices. US foreign embassies hire personnel in the country that they operate and an American cannot go to or call the embassy and speak to an American. The only people that an American can actually talk with is not American and there is a high probability that the people from that country are actually spies in the embassy.
Did you know that if you are an American living in another country that your mail from the US will be searched for checks from social security or dividend checks; the embassy will take the checks from the mail. Two years ago my social security checks were collected in the embassy for 7 months. Then the woman that had them in her draw died and the checks were forwarded to me. My December 2015 checks for me and my 14 year old son were probably taken by embassy personnel in Jakarta but the embassy says that they were not received from the US. 33 social security checks for other people were held at the embassy for distribution, Now I have reported that we did not get our checks but I do not expect social security to take any action for maybe 6 to 9 months. Amazing service!!!!! So tell me, “Does the US government actually have any responsibility?” NO- that is what I thought.
I am not a US citizen and living outside US now back to my country, i was held by someone which is on SSI for 3yrs and didnt had the chance to report for FRAUD (2013) because he threatened me that somethings going to happen to me if i do that, so i keep my mouth shut. He’s physically fit to work since 2011 but still collecting disability benefits. when i decided to comeback here in my country Dec 7, 2014, he come with me, he didnt report to SSA that he’s going to leave US and last year he asked someone to forged his signature in the quarterly or annual report so the disability didn’t stop coming and still up to this day he’s still here in my country. I married him in US and stayed in US land for a year, but didn’t let me get a SS number and didnt report to change his status because its going to affect his disability pension. Am i qualified to file a report for fraud? Is there somebody from SSA can contact me thru email so i can give my report?
Thank you for contacting us C. Reporting is easy, safe and secure. If you suspect or know of someone committing fraud against Social Security, report it. If living abroad, you can also contact the local U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance.
Thank you so much for your reply, what you said was a big help for me. i already sent email at the FBU here in my country today and they replied to me at once.
Dear social security I been taken advantage of since I been on ssi my bro supposed to be my payee but he never even wanted to be or get involved period it was my dad’s big idea to make him payee but he needs to get cut off so my dad’s been taking my checks and cashing them for himself I’m tired of not being able to buy me things I want and need and always looking and feeling like s**t and causes me to have suicidal thoughts and emotional disstress im sick of being taken advantage of enough is enough I’m not getting any younger I would also love to move away from him I wanna be free and happy again cuz i been really really unhappy for a long time so please help me get my sanity and happiness back please need your help badly
Hi Jesus Carlos, if you think your father is misusing benefits, you must report it immediately. If necessary, we may help you find a new representative payee for you or pay you directly. If you would like to become your own payee, we generally will need a statement from your doctor. The statement should say that you are now mentally and physically able to take care of yourself and that you are able to keep your finances in order. Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. For more information, visit our “FAQs For Beneficiaries Who Have A Payee” web page. Thanks!
My brother in law is taking money from his mother’s bank she is on ssi and so is he. He takes is entire check of $763 and buys pills on the street with them. He steels his mother’s pills course he is a drug addict. I work for a living and it bothers me that the cash that we pay each week goes to someone to buy drugs.
My fiancé is 22 years old and as been in college since he got out of high school. He’s got CP and he’s been trying to get his checks from his mom since he turned 18. She doesn’t give him any money or help while he’s at college living on Dorm. He only at her house maybe 3 months a year. He’s had to take out loans and struggle thru college life while his mom spends his money on other things. He doesn’t even know how much he gets. What should he do?
He’s more then capable of being his own payee. He’s half way through college to become a college English Professor. She even fills out her taxs and takes the money she gets on him and the money he spends at college. He has been begging her for the $600 she’s getting back from taxs that he spent at his college for tuition and book fees that he paid for by taking out loans.
When he talked about us moving in together and getting married they flipped. Especially about him changing his address to mine and marrying me
Hi Brittany, your fiancé would have to provide us with a statement from his doctor if he would like to become his own payee. The statement should say that he is now mentally and physically able to take care of himself and that he is able to keep his finances in order. Your fiance can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. He can also contact the local Social Security office. For more information, visit our “FAQs For Beneficiaries Who Have A Payee” web page. Thanks!
The real thief is the government.
If your retired at age 62 receiving Social Security and continue to work, they place a limit on how much you can make and have to pay them back SS money if you go over that amount. keeping the elderly at a poverty level.
Than if your working at 62 or 66 receiving Social Security they continue to take SS and medicare tax. Why ? your not getting anymore for your money, your already set at a fixed rate. So this is stealing millions of money from the elderly. Should be a class action suit to sue Social Security.
So yes they take fraud seriously, as long as it’s in there favor. The make you pay for medicare out of your SS check but you already paid in Medicare tax?
The real fraud is the government, They steal billions
and go after the little guy for $1
Recently I went to the Orlando SS office to check on a problem about Medicare provider overbilling and after waiting 2 hours on a line outside and inside, was told by a CSR that they didn’t handle medicare claims in the office and that I have to call in other to give help.
Why they the have a person to work with medicare complaints locally instead of by phone that makes it very difficult to solve.
I work at a small pawn shop. Upwards of 90% of my customers are getting monthly government benefits. Many claim disability (and even boast about it) for non-existent illness. Almost all are collecting various welfare programs and healthcare. All seem to have more disposable cash, nicer cars, phones, and so forth that I can afford working 40+ hours a week. In my opinion anyone under 50 applying for disability should face serious scrutiny and random audits. Meanwhile if you’re getting any sort of “welfare” checks and you’ve got a newer car registered to your name that also should warrant a serious inspection. The fact of the matter is so far as I can see most of the recipients of these services are in better financial shape than I am, and I won’t even go into the insane tax “refunds” that they seem to get every year. In short, the system is more abused than used and due for a serious overhaul.
What makes me SICK are the millions of people that receive disability that DON’T need it at all. No doubt, there are ones who most definitely deserve it. I see it all the time these supposed disabled people collecting. I have someone in my family she’s 47 and has only worked maybe 4 years of her life and manages to be able to get on disability all the time. Yet she does drugs (been in and out of jail I can’t tell you how many times), smokes, drinks, goes from food bank to food bank. She can be classified as being disabled for OCC but she can do all this. I feel if you’d make the brunt of these people work they would not have the time to keep on getting into trouble!! Leave it for the people who REALLY need it including the senior citizens who REALLY deserve SSI too!!
I have a family member that get social security and spends all of his money on drugs made report and nothing was done what is really happening with our country this people that have aids are claiming they cant work and the doctors should be evaluating the aids person alot of them are way to health to be at home
My dad is disabled and receives a $1200 Social Security check for me. I moved in with my mother in August of 2015. He is still receiving my check and I only get $100 a month from him. Is this okay? Should he be getting my check even though I don’t live with him?
That check belongs to you!! I went through the exact same thing. At first my father never even told me about the check. Until one day someone found out he was on ssn and asked me how much I got?? So long story short I asked he told me and ever since I got the check. Even had the check sent to me instead. This is in Alabama. All states might be different. Does he have custody of you? If so then technically he doesn’t have to give it to you. But if someone else has custody of you or your older than 18 and still in college than you are definitely due this money!!!! I even had to fill out a form once every 6 months to prove where the money was going penny for penny. Hope this helps
I have a small business and customers come to change their checks with me, three days ago I noticed that some of the checks I been cashing are made to a person with a fake name and fake social security number. can that affect me in any way since I have deposited does checks in my account?
One of the most ridiculous aspects of this article is that while it states that SSA is serious about fraud, there is a blanket policy against the use of social media when evaluating disability claims! When one files for public benefits and posts their activities on social media, those activities are relevant. Most other federal agencies have no such ban, nor do most state courts. One of the dumbest policies in existence.
How about fraud committed by SSA. Inaccurate information, incompetence, lack of transparency, no sense of mission statement of helping people. A ridiculously low resource level that does not match inflation. A rigid draconian system with no human element. Lack of respect and dignity for the people who have the least amount of power of influence. Every member of Congress and the Senate should be forced to go through the system to have a first hand experience of the dismal and broken condition of SSA. Even with the paper reduction act, I have a half of a forest pile of never ending paper work piling up. I have no email contact except the lame customer contact email which takes way too long for a reply and only offers vague and generic answers. Nobody grows up hoping to one day be on disability, and I would not wish this depressing experience upon anybody. Good luck to all who have the misfortune to need this so called safety net which is full of very big holes.
What happens if after 20 plus years I just found out I wasn’t legally adopted by my step father and my mouthed had my name changed on my social security card? My bio father never gave up his legal rights to me or my sister and never signed anything saying our names could be changed? Is this fraud?
My fiance has been hospitalized since mid of March, and just started talking yesterday. For a while he was communicating by blinking his eyes. Someone has filed for his SSN, and it wasn’t him, or me. Is someone else allowed to file for him?
I know a woman that is using her adult Childs SSI to support her drug habits. And he is not mature in his mind enough to care for himself. What can be done sense she is in control of his money?
Hi John, if you suspect misuse of SSI benefits, report it. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. If we find misuse occurred, SSA may find a new representative payee. Generally, we look for family or friends to serve as representative payees. When friends or family are not able to serve as payees, Social Security looks for qualified organizations to be representative payees. Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
I have a payee…But i believe a man that has been stalking me.Has stolen my name,birthdate,and phone number.I am terrified that he might go in the ssi office and steal my money.Can he do this since I have a rep payee??
We are sorry to hear of your situation Karen. We will protect your privacy, your Social Security records and benefits information at all times. Your Social Security records are confidential and we do not disclose information, unless we have proper authorization or consent. Remember, if you suspect any illegal or criminal activity, you should contact your local law enforcement agencies.
For the 2nd time in 3 months and the 3rd time in 2 years, someone has wiped my SSI benefits clean. On the 29th they went on an all day shopping spree in Chicago and had to have had a duplicate card made to be able to do things like pay at a parking meter. Who do I call and what do I do? UsDirectExpress (who my money goes through) does nothing!!!!
Wow… no reply, go figure!
Hi! Unfortunately, your situation is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. Please contact your local Social Security office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for assistance. For help regarding Direct Express, please contact 1-800-333-1795. Thanks!
I’ve been trying to find out if my aunt is still living or has died. I have been having little success with getting information from SSA. The thing is I do not have her SS#, as she cut off all contact with the family in 2000. There is a possibility that she died but the man that she was living with didn’t report her death and is collecting her benefits.
Is there any way that I can get assistance with this issue? The guy could be committing social security fraud.
Hi Debbie. As of May 19, 2014, Social Security discontinued letter-forwarding services to aid in locating missing individuals. However, you may still submit a request of information through our Freedom Of Information Act web page.
Also, if you suspect or know of someone committing fraud against Social Security, we ask you to report it. Thanks!
Hi. I never asked for a SSN. I had it before I could even read & write but yet im told it’s voluntary to have. I don’t want the government that began while my race was enslaved to “Social Secure” any for me. I can do that for myself.
How can I keep the money that I work for in my checks without any government meddling and social security witholdings? I do not want a ssn anymore and all the money I have paid in (fraudulently) I would like back as soon as possible.
Hi Trevor. People generally cannot voluntarily withdraw or stop participating in the Social Security program. Unless specifically exempt by law, everyone working in the United States must pay Social Security taxes on earnings from covered employment. Only members of certain religious groups may be exempt from paying Social Security taxes. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more information on this topic.
my son got arrested because I would not provide the full social security number. I provided the last four and was told that I wasn’t cooperating and for that reason they took him. is that legal
I know someone who is using her deceased husbands name and social security number to obtain credit at online stores. Is this illegal???
Generally, reports and investigations of identity theft are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. You can find more information from their website: http://www.idtheft.gov. If you have reportable information on the victim; from the website, please go to “Get Started” and select “I want to report identity theft” then choose the options that best fit your issue. Or you may call them at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of Social Security benefits, we encourage you to report it here. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly.
My doctor accidently mailed my personal information ”ssn” etc to my employer. Even though my employer already has this information and its really not a big deal. I was just curious if people actually sue over this? I’ve done a little research and everyone this has happened to is getting the same offer. 1 year of life lock ”credit monitoring”. I’m not going to sue my doctor. But is this a fair resolution? Or should I bargain for 3 year monitoring?? Normally I would shrug something like this off. But If I made a mistake and ” forgot ” to pay my bill. They wouldn’t be as kind to just ”shrug it off”. Let me know what you think..
I was getting my ssi when i turned 18 but then my foster family lied and said i would be put away if no-one managed my money….I had no idea what she was talking about and made my mom my payee.Ever since then they have treated me nothing like dirt.And put me out on the street.I have been trying to get back what’s mine.What do i do from here.??
My fiancé was made my payee last year. He left me today for another woman and took my benefit account info with him! Who do I call?
Hi Jordan, if you think you need a new payee, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office directly. Generally, we look for family or friends to serve as representative payees, but if necessary, we may help you find a new representative payee or pay you directly. Visit our “FAQs For Beneficiaries Who Have A Payee” web page for more information. Thanks!
SSA gave my social security number ot my daughreter on her blue and red card and on letters. They say they do this when a person up to age 21 or whatever gets disabiilty under their parents income. So now a mentally ill daughter who does not live wiht me has my number…she’s committed crimes int he psat. She hangs out with criminals. When calling SSA they had an attitude wiht me, refuse to give me a new number. So like I told them I guess I am not worht anything inthe country. They can pass out my number to anyone regardless of if they are related to me and I’m a sitting duck. Yeh, I contacted Experian, yeh I put on fraud alters of which I had to PAY Experian $10 in my state!! I WANT a NEW ss number?? Can eny one help. I’m a citizen and have a right to pretected not compromised personal info. What do you do when it’s SSA them selves that committed the compromise???!!!
I know atleast 4 people who are fraud in the system but nothing happens to them and if ssi disability would do their dang jobs they would know also. The people whio deserve it don’t get it and the frauds DI UNBEARABLE. How messed up our syst is SICKENSE.
Hi Kathryn. The Social Security Act sets out a very strict definition of disability, much different than the requirements for other government programs. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. In addition, Social Security conducts periodic medical reviews to make sure individuals receiving checks are still eligible to get them. If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of Social Security benefits we encourage you to report it. Thanks.
HI,
My sister, who has been calling Soc. sec. office for a week, cant get any help concerning her benefits as an ex spouse, of 15 yrs. who’s husband is about to die. He has been living in the USA, on a green card, for the last 40 yrs, and has paid into the Soc. Sec. and Fed. Tax. all throughout his life here. Even though he will be survived by his 2nd wife, will his first wife, my sister, receive also ? She has not remarried.
Hi Sue, a Surviving Divorced Spouse could get benefits just the same as a widow, provided that the marriage lasted 10 years or more. Please visit our Survivors Benefit Planner for more information.
If someone is recieving retirement checks from working the RAIL ROADS, & that person is making money at a job under the table, is that fruad
Hello Mrs. Esco. If you wish to report or discuss any suspected misconduct relating to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), its program or employees, you can call the RRB at 1 877 772-5772 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to speak to an RRB representative.
We believe that my nephews Back Payment Check for his SSI has been stolen. We also suspect that the same person stole his State ID and his SS Card. Since he does not have a payee on his account, we are running into walls trying to get anyone to investigate. (He is not available to call or be on the call to his local office.) We know who may be responsible for the theft. What can we do? Very frustrated.
Your nephew should really try to contact his local Social Security office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Remember, if you suspect any illegal or criminal activity, you should contact your local law enforcement agencies.
Will a person for which I beleive is comiting ssdi fraud be investigated with the following information:
– I do not know her alleged diaability
– she works with her husband as secretary
– she has been recieving ssdi for the last 20 years
– i know her job and home adress
– i know her last for digits of ss
Hi Joey, thank you for your concern. We take allegations of fraud very seriously. If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of Social Security benefits, we encourage you to report it. Keep in mind, however, that it is possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive their benefits. Thanks again!
I have recently found out that my ex wife filed for SSI for our disabled daughter that we have joint custody of, but when she applied for SSI she said that she had full custody. She was denied due to her income. I have also found out that she did the same with IHSS. I would like to know how I can get a copy of the application for SSI where she stated that she had full custody. I am going back to court to request more custody and my attorney would like to submit the application as a character reference for the judge to know what she has been doing.
Hello Mike, unfortunately, your situation is a bit more complex than we can handle in this blog. For security purposes, we do not have access to personal records in this venue. We recommend that you contact your local office for assistance with this situation. Thanks
Someone is my payee and is taking all my money and giving me nothing, I’m about to lose my apartment, what do I do..
Hello William. A representative payee is required to keep records of all payments received and how they are spent or saved. Usually, we will send a “Representative Payee Accounting Report” once a year. The payee can mail the paper form to us or use the online version.
If you think a representative payee is misusing your benefits, tell us right away. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. You will receive a letter from Social Security telling you what we found. If we find misuse, Social Security may name a new representative payee for you or send the benefits to you directly. We will then take action to recover any misused money.
If you have specific questions, or want to make an appointment, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. Or, you can contact your local office.
My elderly neighbor lives with her son; both from Iraq. I saw her letter from the Social Security office informing her that, as a non-citizen, she would receive SS benefits for only six years. Why is she getting any at all? She didn’t put a dime into the system. This stupidity is one thing that is draining the SS funds. If people come to the United States for some reason and are not citizens, they should come with money and not live on handouts from our government. I don’t like or trust her arrogant son and I’m keeping my eyes on him. He paid cash for his house, drives a Jaguar, and lies about everything.
i beleive that you lie about it. you hate those peoples, he has to wait 5 years as a green card holder in order to receive benefits any benefits.maybe they have 5 years being legal, DONT HAVE TO BE CITIZENS OF USA.
For years ive been on SSDI and for years I believe my inlaws who are illegally in this country have been working in my social and filing taxes and ive been investigated for suspected fraud! Who can I call to stop them from using my social security number? Please help me.
My daughters dad had been collecting her benefits since 2006 up until yesterday when I found out (she has lived with me since birth) I recently did the application to become her representative. Will he have to pay back what he took and will my daughter get back pay since 2006? She is not disabled she is just a beneficiary because he is disabled.
Sarah, thank you for your question. When we select a new payee, a beneficiary becomes his or her own payee, or a beneficiary’s entitlement ends, we notify the former payee to return to SSA any money saved for the beneficiary unless the payee made other plans with SSA for handling it. For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) For Representative Payees, please see: https://www.ssa.gov/payee/faqrep.htm#&a0=-1
Yes I am new to Ssi I’m getting it for my son and I’m not sure how to reported at the end of the mouth about how much my man brings home and I want to make sure I’m doing things right and not wrong when it says monthly dose it mean like his last pay check or what he brought home in all his pay checks? Please let me know I will be so greatful I just want to make sure I’m doing this right and not wrong
Thank you for your question Jazmine. You can report wages by visiting, calling or writing your local Social Security Office. Generally, we use the worker’s most recent pay stubs. You should ask about our options to use the automated toll-free SSI Telephone Wage Reporting Service or the free SSI Mobile Wage Reporting Smartphone app.
Okay so I am doing it right thank you so much and I do use the Ssi mobile it is amazing thank you so much for letting me know and taking time for answering my question Thank you and have a great day
The system is a joke. I know someone whos mother had a lot of addictions. She told her son, to fake mild retardation and she would give him gifts. Now she died of a drug over dose and he continues the story with his father and brother testifying fir him. In his 30 years, he has not worked a day in his life and all his bills are paid. He smokes weed (illegal here) daily, sells his prescription pills to people, and uses food stamps that are meant for the starving (which he has sold many times for cash). Meanwhile, i work as much as i can, just to pay outrageous bills from bad luck, and i barely feed my son and I. Yet, if I want to complain, my personal info is scattered everywhere so many people can retaliate against me and my son. No thank you!
I know exactly how you feel! Its ridiculous! I know people who actually work for their food assistance, and since its only a part time job, welfare automatically thinks they dont need it and cut their food assistance down to nothing. And they even have to take classes or find anothet job. But, i know a girl, whose on ssi, abd gets a lot in food and cash assistance just because she has a child. And no questins asked, what so ever. She doesnt have to do a thing, but sit on her lazy arse all day, and party from night till morning most of the time. Shes not even disabled, and goes to bars and places, and is just fine. She pretended to take medication, but just threw a pill away a day to make it look like she was taking it. She even acknowleged that she uses one of her family members food assistance as well, because, in case, “if its free, then why not?” Pathetic right? Well, she has been reported, and i hope disability reviews her case soon and will obviously see the truth that shes milking the system. She said the only reason why she applied for disability was to see if she could get it. Otherwise, she said shed still be working. She also said shes getting a hundred dollars a month from her brother living with her, and disability doesnt even know that or the fact that shes trying to work under the table. Its crazy how shes gotten away with this for so long.
I commence to collect SSI in 1991. I had admitted myself in the hospital when I was expecting my third child and commence to see a psychiatrist but later things seemed to be going wrong. I call it a shower. Opportunist taken advantage of that. But it has not stop. Now each time someone was to apply for Social Security benefits they go and give me a terrifying terrorist downsizing harassment so that I could look bad and they get approved for the income by using my name. I get depress, enforced to lose work and all the negativity in the list in order for someone else to get what they want. I am so frustrated with this ongoing habit. And when we is honor some service the others defense is that it is just a one mentally ill, and one crazy and every sick of me. After they done doing their goodies. I mean like when does this vicious harassment stops. They bark about you in your presence and no one respect you not even people that you service with just as landlords. And police can just go and shoot people and just say to not worry only one mentally ill. JAJA FUNNY STUFF.
I know of a friend who gets ssi but cheats the system. She says she gets it for all these reasons like anxiety and depression. She was put on an antidepressant but never took it and threw it away. She’s fine and always goes out and parties and goes to places without any problems. She’s just a lazy piece of cheap. The doctors and ssi people still thinks shes on her medication but she never was. Is there any justice in this life for the people who actually need it?
Thank you for contacting us. If you suspect or know of someone committing fraud against Social Security, report it.
When I filed for my Social Security benefits (I turn 65 in Sept) I answered the disabled adult child section and as a result I was told by Social Security that my disabled daughter (who has received SSI for a disability that was diagnosed before she was 22) had to go on my SS record and that she would be getting more money. The issue is that we were told that the new application which we were forced to submit would cut off her from her Medicaid that she had because of her disability and that Medicare would not start for 24 months because the SSA had to determine once again that she was disabled. So now she has to have a gall bladder operation and we don’t know if the filing of the application cut off her Medicaid immediately on Sept. 1. We were also told that the Part B Premium would be deducted from her SS benefit immediately. This makes no sense in that she will not have Medicare benefits for at least two years. Her disability is bipolar disorder and if she cannot afford her medications or even to see her psychiatrist, this could be a disaster. I have tried repeatedly to contact the person who took the new application for clarification on the Part B Premium but he has not returned my phone calls. I am ready to go to my Congressman with this issue because it appears to be a very dangerous rule implemented by the SSA. I would appreciate being contacted by a supervisor from the North Dallas Office to clarify this horrendous decision.
Generally, eligibility for Medicare benefits begin with the 25th consecutive month of entitlement to disability benefits (SSDI). Please review our Program Operations Manual (POMS) for more important information on this matter, specific to your daughter’s claim. In addition, current law requires individuals receiving SSI benefits to apply for all and any other benefits they may be eligible to receive. Please contact Medicaid for additional information in regards to eligibility requirements based on your daughter’s new income amount.
For security reasons, we do not have access to personal records via this blog. However, we understand your frustration and strongly suggest that you contact your local office again. You can request to speak with the office manager to discuss your situation. Also, remember that when you file the application for benefits for your daughter, you will receive an official determination of your claim from Social Security, which will provide you appeals rights, if in case you wish to seek legal advice to verify our decision. We hope this information helps!
My mother died of kidney failure when I was 2. My father was my representative payee until the social security checks stopped when I reached age. I always heard the term “we use it to help raise him” from my father and step mother whenever a family member asked if I was receiving benefits from deceased mother. As I reached high school I became more aware of my father and stepmother being addicted to alcohol and cocaine. I never recall receiving any of these funds as they were very strict with money even if i asked for lunch money which resulted in myself packing a lunch for school until I was old enough to work and buy my own lunch. On top of this once I was receiving my own paycheck my father continuously “borrowed” money when I would get paid and to this day never paid back around 1500.00 that was owed to me. Due to my home life of physical and verbal abuse from both of them, I never pressed the issue of my mothers social security checks meant for me or the money that was still owed from borrowing my hard earned work money. At the age of 18, without warning, I removed myself from this situation to live with a relative. I am now 27 and in the last few years ran into another issue of finding out my father took multiple Credit cards out under my name and maxed out these cards. I am a junior so it was easy for him to use these cards in my name. I have since been able to clear my credit of anything he did but this social security issue has lingered in the back of my mind and I wonder if its to late for any sort of action?
I am almost 100 percent positive that these funds from my deceased mothers social security benefits were used as extra money for booze and drugs and just another way I wad used as a minor for financial gain. I do fear at this point it’s too late but any information or direction would be appreciated.
Question, I’m married and receiving SSI, my wife keeps threatening to leave and not tell me where she’s going.
Will SSI restore my benefits completely if she just moves out? Also will I have to prove that she has moved out even if I don’t know where she has gone?
Thanks
Hi Jay, if your wife moves out of the household, you will have to report the change to the local Social Security office. Visit our “Reporting Responsibilities” page for more information.
I started recieving SSDI about 2 years ago. I had been in a terrible violent crime situation and lost most mobility of one my legs. This paired with the childhood full of abuse I went through, I fell into a severe deep depression. The sadness and anxiety and enormous weight gain nearly killed me. Since recieving the benefits (mainly the health insurance) I am getting better. I M able to get the much needed counseling, had weight loss surgery and even have a part time job now. I am able to leave my house which is something I had not done in a long time. While I am getting better, I’m not there yet. I’ve lost 200lbs but still have a ways to go and in need of several more surgeries on my leg before I will be able to work full time. If I work longer than 3 hours my leg swells up and actually leaks fluid. A family member who is mad at me has threatened to report me for fraud?!?! My question is, how bwould this be handled? To my knowledge I’ve been truthful and have reported my earnings but from what people are saying I should be very worried. People don’t understand that going on disability is a very emotional thing to do for some of us. We live with a stigma of being on welfare. Something like this could derail two years of really hard work. I M doing my best to use the system as intended and better my quality of life by getting healthy. I’ve even gone back to school so that I can be qualified for a job that fit my physical needs.
I know someone who receives SSI benefits for being unfit to work but is working a full time job and still receiving her monthly SSI and living off of section 8 housing. Is that even allowed?
I was recieving the ssi along with SSDI for a few months but as soon as I was able to do any work at all , I did. I still can’t physically do a full 8/9 hour day but I can work part time and I do. I reported my changes right away and SSI ended quite promptly. I have heard other people say you get punished for going back to work but I never thought of that as a punishment. They were supplementing my SSDI because my monthly benefit is so small. Now I am getting healthier and can supplement that benefit on my own. I do wish I could have kept the Medicaid though, I need a few major surgeries and not sure how I will pay for the 20%.
Hi Andie. Special rules make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. Remember that the SSI program is a needs based program, and the amount of your SSI benefits is based, in part, on your total income. In some cases, your Medicaid coverage can continue even after your SSI payments stop. Please contact your local Medicaid office for more information. We recommend you read our publication “Working While Disabled – How We Can Help”, to learn more about this important topic. Thanks!
Hi Jo. Special rules make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive their benefits. Social Security calls these rules “work incentives“. However, if you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of Social Security benefits, we encourage you to report it. Thanks.
I have reported someone using stolen identity several times he is an illegal alien..born in 1972 when the social was issued prior to 1951…SS has does nothing about this fraudelent behaviour…So i don’t think they take fraud quite as seriously as they say… I have all the documentation and they just choose to ignore the isssue…
When the SSA/OIG make an inaccurate assumption that causes harm to a previous beneficiary of SSA entitlement are they held accountable for that error? Or must a person in this situation really take it to the US court system (out of Admin Law) and make a public mockery (black eye) out of the federal agents/Judge who made the erroneous assumption which caused harm to the previous beneficiary? For example: if a forged marriage certificate is used as proof that the alleged recipient of benefits has committed fraud when in fact they did not and the record is fraud due to forgery which had nothing to do with the beneficiary? Would this not be considered HARM based on the fact the beneficiary did nothing wrong but was assumed at fault and treated as if fault was evident? I would think this sort of issue would end badly for the Federal agencies in the end. IS there a process for resolving issue so they stay in Admin Law rather than end up in US courts?
I have Power of Attorney over my ex husband.
He is terminally ill.
My other ex husband contacted the local Social Security office and informed them that I had remarried my ex husband whom I have Power of Attorney over.
He did this to hurt us and cost my ex his Social Security disability.
What is my recourse on this? My ex who I have Power of Attorney over is in jeopardy of having his disability cut off.
He literally has nothing else.
What are my options?
Hi Judy. We are sorry to hear of the inconveniences you and your ex-spouse are experiencing at this time. Please note that having a power of attorney, does not give you legal authority to make changes or manage payments for someone receiving Social Security benefits. You must apply for and be appointed as a representative payee by SSA. A face-to- face interview is required, please contact the local Social Security office. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Thanks.
Ok someone tell me what to do..I no someone that is living with someone that’s get social benefits an possible foodstamps and a,medical card to..the person they had moved in is working full time an paying them 400 amonth but they don’t want this person to use Thier address.
Hi Jon. If you suspect or know of someone committing fraud against Social Security, report it.
So my mother is on disability and when she first got on it I was in high school so I revived benefits, I was aware that she got a lumpsome because she waited some years. But I wasn’t aware that I would get a lumpsome too (twelve thousand to be exact) I didn’t know of this until last year, years later she spent it on my other siblings and my brother in law and I received nothing out of it. She’s now putting me out of the house over not paying her 40 dollars when she askes for it. Is there anything you guys can do about this nonsense she basically stole my money
If someone is using my address to file and collect social security and they do not even live in the country anymore is that considered fraud. If so how do I report them?
I called to report fraudulent withdrawals of disability funds from the account of a beneficiary that was on life support at the time of the fraudulent direct express debit card withdrawals.
I was told by ANDREW that they didn’t care, that once they deposit the funds onto the card that their job is don’t and aren’t concerned whether or not the benefits were stolen or used fraudulently.
And here I was under the impression that SSA “takes fraud seriously”.
I’m still shocked.
Hi Tristan. Social Security takes reports of fraud very seriously. If you suspect Social Security FRAUD, please report it. The Direct Express card is a prepaid debit card offered to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income check recipients who wish to receive their benefits electronically. For help regarding Direct Express, please contact Direct Express at 1-800-333-1795. Thanks!
I don’t “suspect” SS fraud, I KNOW, and I have PROOF of multiple frauds.
I’ve already called SSA and reported it twice and filed online reports, twice.
-I have the 10/6/16 receipt from the bank with the fraudster’s signature thereon for $1,000.
-I have the hospital bill for “life support” “service date 10/06/2016”.
-I have the statement of the bank manager stating that “the beneficiary was not present” when the benefits were withdrawn.
I also have a whole lot more proof-
-Forgery of VA fiduciary’s signature on checks (bank has already CONFIRMED AMD REFUNDED)
-Theft of assets (a/v Recordings, photos, text msg confession)
I could keep going, but it’s useless, no one seems to care.
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” -Benjamin Franklin
SSA work abused his Fiduciary Duty against a diasbled person FELONY he TOLD ME WAS NOT GOING TO FOLLOW SSA POMS RULES AND DIDN”T. TOOK AWAY $9000 of my backpay and $245 of monthly check stating I received FREE RENT when I HAD IN POSSESSION Bone Fide Loans that required payback and he stated they were not valid loans-sitting before Judges court cases- must be pretty valid loans. Said I received free Rent did not these loans must be paid back-another SSA worker said “Did you list loans on your application when you applied that you had these loans? I said how was I to KNOW that 8 MONTHS LATER I WOULD be in auto accident and not be able to pay my rent 2 years later.– HOW RIDICULOUSLY STUPID IS THAT we must be able to tell the future – when we apply- but they got away with it I have to FIGHT via APPEALS- in the interium I suffer financially, medically and other. Due the SSA workers acting like GOD and NOT FOLLOWING POMS RULES. WRONGFULLY TAKING AWAY MONEY THAT IS RIGHTFULLY YOURS.
I have been on SSI for a few months now. I have to pay rent 374 out of the little 759 dollars a month. The issue is that my sister has moved back home with me and my mother for a few months now and hasn’t paid any rent for living there what can I do i don’t think it is fair that I have to give my mother all that money when my sister is living rent free. What should I do
I got approved fro ssdi just over a year ago. When I got the back pay I set a portion of it aside for specific purpose. My condition can very well kill me. I still have a midget left at home. I gave the understanding to my sons (all three over 21 now) that this specific money was to only be used incase of my death. It was enough for travel expenses toll fees food… there was even a notation on the transfer from my account to my sons… listing specifically it’s use was to have one of them in place here where I live thats1200 from the rest of her immediate family. My daughters name and the reason being the notation my youngest son spent it on his fiancées car repairs. I specified that it had to be paid back in a year …again should be noted in my bank account with that development. Now not only does my youngest ignore my queries he has flat out refused to repay the money and has my eldest son being verbally abusive and has the eldest stating the funds were never for them to come collect their sister in the event of my death…it was for them to spend as they wished and they did and that’s it. I can’t afford to set money aside like that again. I have too many medical bills and a child that needs things like food clothes shelter etc…. may I please inquire of possible options from ssa? Either way thank you for your time.
Is it fraud if someone uses your address and lives somewhere else.
And get ssd
If you suspect or know of someone committing fraud against Social Security, report it. Reporting is easy, safe and secure. Thanks!
I’m 18 and I get a ssi check but my mother don’t give me none of the money and she keep lying saying I don’t get one I have a photo of the ssi letter saying I get 733 a month what can I do to get my own check or change my who gets it ?
Hi Tyshieka, if you’re having problems with your current payee, you must report it immediately. If necessary, we may help you find a new representative payee for you or pay you directly. If you would like to become your own payee, we generally will need a statement from your doctor. The statement should say that you are now mentally and physically able to take care of yourself and that you are able to keep your finances in order. Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. For more information, visit our “FAQs For Beneficiaries Who Have A Payee” web page. Thanks!
Hello I have a question my son is autistic 5 yrs old and receives ssi each month witch goes to my ex wife and she spends on what she wants. She was the one who applied for him but she has no social due to the fact she is here ilegally . I later found out that to receive this help u needed a social and the parent had to have worked under it to recive anything on behalf of the child. I asked how she did this she didn’t tell me so I investigated turns out she used my social and falsified my signature and information without my knowledge or permission. I go to the social security office and bring this to there attention they said it was ok because she was my wife and could use my information even sign my name, and say it was me. I don’t understand how that is ok.
We understand your concern Juan. We assure you that we will protect your Social Security records at all times. Your Social Security records are confidential and we do not disclose information, unless we have proper authorization or consent. The Supplemental Security Income or SSI program pays benefits to disabled children with limited income and resources. We establish SSI benefits under the child’s Social Security number. Generally, individuals (including children) need a Social Security number to collect Social Security benefits, and to receive other government services. Also, children under the age of 18, must have a Representative Payee to manage their SSI benefits. We prefer to assign those duties to the parent or a family member living in the same household with the child. As a representative payee, you must use the money to take care of the child’s day-to-day needs for food, clothing and shelter. In addition to any medical and dental care that’s not covered by health insurance. We hope you understand our role in protecting everyone’s personal information. However, if you think your ex-wife is misusing your son’s benefits, you must report it immediately. Please continue working with your local Social Security office. You can request to speak to a supervisor in your next visit. Thanks.
Not all ssi cases are denied the first time. I applied for my son who is severely ADHD and ODD April 13 and was approved in July 13. no medication helps and therefore no doctor will try anymore. However, you need documents. I WAS taking him to therapy, had a 504 developed, and of course notes from school. I WENTback to work and we no longer qualified because income was too high. However I am home again to take care of him and to make sure things stay on track and will see if they reapprove him. DON’T give up hope, but realize if you have a serious issue you need to prove it to them.
I have a question if some one is retired and they are collecting ssi and have people living in the home paying rent and they are not reporting the income is this considered fraud?
Is it fraud if you know someone that’s claiming they can’t walk or stand for a certain amount of time knowing that they have a court hearing coming up but is walking every night delivering papers ? Not to mention the person lied to dss and the ssi mental eval just to get out of work just so they claim the ssi.even though that person hasn’t been awarded anything yet but if that person did win they would get retro for 2-3 years worth ????
Hi Jim, thank you for your concern. We take allegations of fraud very seriously. If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of Social Security benefits, we encourage you to report it.
Hello I have a question regarding sending mails to the SSA. My son’s case is being reviewed at the DDS office so I was sent 2 forms to fill out. One for him and one for me as the third party. The forms were sent with a self-stamped envelope. My questions is can I use the self-stamped envelope at the same time can I go to the post office to have it certified and registered so that I can keep track of whether or not they have received it. The reason why I want to do this is because in the past I have sent back forms that I need to fill out, but SSA claimed they have never received, and this incident happened twice so I had no choice but to go to the office and hand them the forms myself.
We apologize for previous inconveniences Nez. You can use registered mail or any other form of tracking system available through the post office. You can also take the forms to your local Social Security office. We always suggest that you make and keep copies of the forms for your records. Thanks.
My son was diagnosed with autism when he was 10 years old, when he turned 18 I applied for ssi and he was immediately approved. It has been six years now since he has been receiving ssi. Now his case is being reviewed so the DDS have sent me ( I’m his representative payee) and him function adult forms to fill out, one for him and one for third party. My questions is he has been working for 3 years now. He works for a non profit organization that provides work for adults with disabilities. He doesn’t make very much, the most he takes home in a month is $100. Is there a possibility his ssi benefits could be taken away because he’s been able about to hold this job?
hello, i just tried to us my card at atm machine to get my funds off to pay and it wont let me get it. I then tried to just take a little off and then it said insuffient fundsI really like to known what is goning on wiith my funds.
For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. Please contact your local Social Security office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for assistance. For help regarding Direct Express, please contact 1-800-333-1795. Thanks!
I just found out that my daughters stepdad filed for social security benefits for my daughter after her mother passed. I have sole custody of my daughter and have since talked to social security and have become her payee. What can I do about the prior checks that he received
I received a called from Social Security. January 2016. That my son has a lump sum of back money since 2005. I was told to report to the Social Security office with proper ID and bank book, with my son information. Social Security told me that they also have to gather the other children information. Before cutting my son his check. They finally gather the other children information and cut all children their checks. But, my son hasn’t receive anything. All Social Security tell me, we are working on it. I cant understand working on what. If Social Security told me once they cut all the children checks. All children get their benefits at the same time. Is now January 2017. And they tell me we working on it. Please somebody tell me what are they working on?. Because I already received a letter May 2016 . Of the break down.
I received a called from Social Security. January 2016. That my son has a lump sum of back money since 2005. I was told to report to the Social Security office with proper ID and bank book, with my son information. Social Security told me that they also have to gather the other children information. Before cutting my son his check. They finally gather the other children information and cut all children their checks. But, my son hasn’t receive anything. All Social Security tell me, we are working on it. I cant understand working on what. If Social Security told me once they cut all the children checks. All children get their benefits at the same time. Is now January 2017. And they tell me we working on it. Please somebody tell me what are they working on?. Because I already received a letter May 2016 . Of the break down.
I am rating 100% disable vet by veteran dr. and received compensation from VA, and was worked for federal government for many years, but now I get removed from my fed. job due to performance issue, am I qualified for disability retirement? If I do, do I still need a lawyer in this case, for what reason? The letter from VA to verify my disability, is not enough?
Thank you for your question Jonny. Please keep in mind that the Social Security Act sets out a very strict definition of disability, much different than the requirements for other government programs including veterans benefits. Social Security pays disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. In addition to meeting our definition of disability, you must have worked long enough–and recently enough–under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. For more information and to see if you should apply for disability benefits, we urge you to contact your local office or call us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and ask one of our representatives to assist you. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day or later in the week. We hope this information helps you.
so on jan 3 2017 my mthly deposit came in aprox. 1am by 1:30am was withdrawn without my consent or my card from a atm in Hollywood florida called immediately to report to direct express which is a horrible company with very poor customer service no fax machine to expedite any correspondences all mail goes to a po box meaning time sensitive mail potentially could be sitting in a po box for days before being picked up now 10 buisness days later as per there policy which might i add makes 0 sense i should been replaces my stolen funds but no also false as im being told they did not receive my return letter and now will soon be homeless due to this incompetent company. their lvl 2 so called security team is useless.i ask my self how does the federal government allow for this to happen to americas most vulnerable makes no sense to me.there needs to be a complete investigation on direct express and comerica bank since its name is on back of card but once i called Comerica was told they can’t help me that they have 0 to do with direct express funny how that could be true as their name is on back of card.sad part seems federal government does not have disabled Americans best interest’s in mind for if they did a full investigation would happen cause with very little reasearch i found a direct express not even bbb accredited not that im surprised. and yet there is several hundred complaints against this failed company on bbb web site never mind. hundreds of complaints on other sites.in short if the federal government won’t help and protect it most vulnerable who will.