Social Security Disability Lawyers Discuss Overpayments of Benefits

October 28, 2013

While hundreds of thousands of disabled individuals are battling through the process of filing to receive Social Security Disability benefits, some of those who have been approved are continuing to have to fight and struggle for the assistance they so desperately need.

An audit conducted by the Government Accountability Office has shown the Social Security Administration (SSA) made a total of $1.3 billion in wrongful Social Security Disability Overpayments during a two-year period; however, many of the recipients of those payments are now being asked to repay the money the received from the agency, despite some continuing to struggle.

An article from CNN Money told the story of a 33-year-old woman who received roughly $750 per month in Supplemental Security Income to care for her two Autistic children. When her husband received a raise in pay, the family’s income became to high to qualify for the benefit and the change was reported. The SSA later informed the family the agency had made a mistake and they never should have received the benefits to begin with. Furthermore, the family would need to pay the entire $20,000 sum of benefits they received back to the government. The matter is currently being disputed.

The Social Security Disability Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin would urge anyone who is being asked to repay disability benefits to the government to consult with an attorney regarding your legal rights and options.