There are a lot of places you need to call when someone dies – Social Security being one of them. The Funeral Home notifies them, but you are also told to notify them. Jeffrey was on Social Security Disability because he was blind. Social Security gets paid through a bank called “Direct Express” and they send you a debit card. One of the very first things that happens when Social Security is notified is that they freeze that bank account – and all the funds in there for “NON FRAUD SUSPENSION.”
I call the number that is listed on their web site to see how I can get these funds released. They tell me that they will have to send out a packet to me and that I would need to send documents back to them. Ok, fine.
At the end of January I received the letter from Direct Express Payment Processing Service. In this letter it states:
“It is very important that you provide documentation detailed below so we may process your request. Please sent legible copies of the following documents along with this letter to the address or fax number provided and allow 4-6 weeks for processing.
Please check which TWO documents are enclosed. Do not send original documents as we are unable to return them.
1) Copy of the Certified Death Certificate for the Card account owner (required) AND
2) Copy of one (1) of the following documents as evidence of entitlement to remaining funds:
a. Letters of Probate OR
b. Identification of the Estate Executor/Administrator OR
c. Letters of Administration OR
d. Letters Testamentary OR
e. Small Estate Affidavit”
There is a number on this letter to call if you have questions. The only problem is – it is a recording and there is no way to speak with a human being. One of the comments on this recording is that a Last Will and Testament is not sufficient for documentation purposes.
I call the County Clerk about getting one of the above documents. I was told that I would need to hire an attorney as Jeffrey’s will did not need to be probated. Great – I am trying to get them to release these funds but I need an attorney. So, I go back to the attorney that did our Wills. I was told that it was cost me more to get one of the above letters than was in the account – to just write it off. Are you kidding me? My first thoughts were – just how much money is being stolen from the people that are getting social security? Granted, what was left in that account wasn’t a great deal – chump change for the Koch Brothers, but it was due to Jeffrey. Our will named me as executor on his estate, but that isn’t good enough. I hope somebody within that organization chokes on what they stole.
Now on to Social Security. I retired from Civil Service, so I know the ropes – so to speak. I used to take offense when people to make comments about “Lazy government workers getting paid to do nothing…” I am seriously reconsidering my position on that statement after these last eight weeks.
Getting the lump sum payment of a whopping $255.00 was fairly easy, once I got through to the Social Security Office. Getting the $1744 that is owed Jeffrey is a horse of a different color.
They sent out a document for me too fill out and return. Honest to Pete, it has to be the most confusing and ambiguous documents I have ever filled out, and I’ve filled out a lot of paperwork. I filled it out and sent it back to Social Security.
Fast-forward a couple of weeks. I call to inquire about the money. I was told it should have been released at the same time as the lump sum. She told me she was sending a note to that department to have the funds released. A week goes by and I call again. This time I get a man and he asks if I have filled out the paperwork. I asked if it was the document that had asked for my mother in laws social security number. He says no, and that he will mail it out to me that day.
I get the paperwork about five days later. Good grief, I would have walked across town and back to get the paperwork and it would have been faster. I open the envelope and it is the same paperwork I have already filled out – twice! So again I call Social Security. I’ve about had it up to my eyeballs with the crap. I explain the situation yet again. She puts me on hold and then says, “We don’t have your paperwork.” I tell her that I have done the paperwork and returned it and it’s not my problem that she can’t find it. I asked to speak to a supervisor. She tells me she is a supervisor. She told me that I’d need to prove that I had filled out the paperwork and send it to them and then it would take 30 days to process it. I told her “Not a problem – I will bring you a copy of BOTH of the documents I had sent.” I tell her that I am bringing it to her personally. She said that I could just put it in a drop box. I tell her “No, for two reasons – 1) I want you to sign for these documents and 2- I want you to remember my face because if I don’t see these funds deposited in my account within a week, the next time you see my face it will be in the media. I’m done.” I hand carry all the documents there and have her sign for it. She stated that it would be about 30 days. I told her that the original signature date of the first paperwork was the 15th of January and her 30 days were up.
I have now come to the conclusion that the government has you jump through more flaming hoops than Carter's have liver pills. I honestly believe that a lot of our government employee's do not know their jobs and we're the ones to suffer for it. You get a different story each and every time. I was called by the Supervisor yesterday and they are releasing the funds.
I think the only reason they are getting it done is because I keep a journal of who I speak to, the date and time, and what the conversation was about.
Part III – Office of Personnel Management
Sat Feb 28, 2015 at 6:34 AM PT: A quick update - Social Security deposited the monies owed to my account this morning. A victory to be sure, but no one should have to fight the way I have had to when it should be a time to mourn. Thank each and everyone of you for your support, you have no idea how much it means to me.