SSI Stopped because they don't have my right address?

[PursuitandTie]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NY

So I've been receiving SSI for the better part of my life, and have never had any issues. I recently moved in May, and contacted the 800 number to inform them of this. The woman on the phone told me after a few minutes that there was an inquiry on my status because I had changed my address too recently after having moved so soon already. (I have moved four times in the last two years due to things outside of my control. In January, I returned to NY from Florida and changed my address almost immediately, and once more in May. Before that, it was changed once in early 2012, and again in mid 2013)

Anyway, upon returning to NY I was still getting the FL amount for four months before they finally got my address right. I was calling them every week trying to speed things up. And in May, when I was told the above, I figured things were squared away because I received notification that I was to get the correct NY amount. However, just yesterday I get a letter saying that my SSI was stopped because they don't have my correct address information. (Despite the letter actually coming to my correct address)

I'm on edge because I have bills to pay, and worried because I'm paying for their inability to get paperwork in order. I intend to go to my local office first thing tomorrow and both file an appeal and (once more) give them all of my correct information. I was just wondering if anyone here could help put my mind at ease with any information they might have. This is incredibly stressful.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NY

So I've been receiving SSI for the better part of my life, and have never had any issues. I recently moved in May, and contacted the 800 number to inform them of this. The woman on the phone told me after a few minutes that there was an inquiry on my status because I had changed my address too recently after having moved so soon already. (I have moved four times in the last two years due to things outside of my control. In January, I returned to NY from Florida and changed my address almost immediately, and once more in May. Before that, it was changed once in early 2012, and again in mid 2013)

Anyway, upon returning to NY I was still getting the FL amount for four months before they finally got my address right. I was calling them every week trying to speed things up. And in May, when I was told the above, I figured things were squared away because I received notification that I was to get the correct NY amount. However, just yesterday I get a letter saying that my SSI was stopped because they don't have my correct address information. (Despite the letter actually coming to my correct address)

I'm on edge because I have bills to pay, and worried because I'm paying for their inability to get paperwork in order. I intend to go to my local office first thing tomorrow and both file an appeal and (once more) give them all of my correct information. I was just wondering if anyone here could help put my mind at ease with any information they might have. This is incredibly stressful.

Have you thought of setting up an account for direct deposit? That would solve any future problems with address changes.

 

[Onderzoek]

There is much more than an address needed when you move as an SSI recipient and the 800# employees don't always have the authority or ability to resolve the living arrangement questions. So they send a message to the local office. That is then put on a list of things that need to be resolved, into a backlog of sorts. Then, in your case, by the time someone has time to try to resolve it and sends you a letter, you have moved again and then the mail comes back. Puts your SSI record into suspense. Then, the system puts the record into suspense.

My guess is that although you have provided addresses, you have not provided rental agreements and names of all household members for all of these addresses and SSA is behind in trying to get in contact with you.

Since the 800# method is not working well, next time you probably should go to your local office with your rental agreement and take care of it in person.

 

[Onderzoek]

Have you thought of setting up an account for direct deposit? That would solve any future problems with address changes.

No it won't. If mail is returned, records can go into address suspense. SSI also requires living arrangement information so direct deposit doesn't solve that either. Payment can change if living arrangements change. Anyway, direct deposit or debit cards are already required by SSA.

 

[PursuitandTie]

Yeah, I messed up

I guess I do have myself to blame for this complication, and I do intend to sort it out when I talk to an agent in person tomorrow. It was just annoying to get the notification on a Saturday when I have to wait all weekend just to speak with someone.

 

[quincy]

No it won't. If mail is returned, records can go into address suspense. SSI also requires living arrangement information so direct deposit doesn't solve that either. Payment can change if living arrangements change. Anyway, direct deposit or debit cards are already required by SSA.

Ahh. Thanks for the clarification. I thought perhaps my solution for the future seemed too easy a one.

 

[PursuitandTie]

Anyway

So, do you guys think my chances are good for getting this taken care of? I'd hate to permanently lose my only source of income because of what is essentially failure to get my paperwork in order. I have all sorts of bills to take care of, and I'm already aware that even if I do win the appeal, there's going to be a large delay as to when I start getting my money again.

 

[commentator]

So, do you guys think my chances are good for getting this taken care of? I'd hate to permanently lose my only source of income because of what is essentially failure to get my paperwork in order. I have all sorts of bills to take care of, and I'm already aware that even if I do win the appeal, there's going to be a large delay as to when I start getting my money again.

A kind of silly question, don't you think? What kind of reassurance do you think people on the internet could possibly give you? We do not have the resources to look at your individual case or to know where you are in the process, much less reassure you that you'll get this all fixed soon.

SSI is a needs based program, therefore they need all sorts of information about your situation, which is your responsibility to provide. If you mess up in the huge system, (which works amazingly well, when you consider the number of people and the amount of information that it actually processes,) then you have the responsibility for getting it straightened out. It is not their fault you had to move several times, or that you have bills to pay, and it's very unpleasant and frustrating when the money stops.

My suggestion, based on years of working with people in needs based and certification government systems? Try to be proactive, polite, professional and concise in your documentation. Deal with human beings if you have the option to do so. Keep up with the dates you talked with them, what you were told, and do what they tell you to do.

Remember, when you are dealing with systems of this type, that griping and being obstructionist and venting about your hatred of government, etc. toward the people who are trying to help solve the problem does not serve you well.

Yes, we know you have bills that need to be paid. Yes, we know you are frustrated. Yes, we understand that you got your notice on Saturday, and you couldn't get immediate gratification by calling RIGHT THEN!

But it's only human nature to want to be more helpful to polite and reasonable clients than with those jerks who find it necessary to take out their frustrations on the people who work in the system. You'll be worked with according to the law, and your determination will be made legally based on the information they need. But being nice while trying to get it fixed doesn't hurt you a bit, and may help relieve some of your stress about the situation.

 

[Onderzoek]

So, do you guys think my chances are good for getting this taken care of? I'd hate to permanently lose my only source of income because of what is essentially failure to get my paperwork in order. I have all sorts of bills to take care of, and I'm already aware that even if I do win the appeal, there's going to be a large delay as to when I start getting my money again.

Appealing is less important than providing all your living arrangement information for all four addresses that you have had in the last two years. Bring a list of the addresses, the dates you moved, the names of everyone you lived with, the amount of rent you paid. Apparently you knew you were being overpaid because you were getting money from Florida when you lived in New York.

If all you do is file an appeal without providing the information that should have provided two years ago, your chances of getting it resolved quickly are small.

 

[PursuitandTie]

Actually, the FL amount is less than the NY amount, so for a period of time after returning to NY I was being underpaid. However, they did realize the mistake after a few months and corrected it, and paid me the back owed amount for those few months. (Something around 350, I believe.) They also had my correct address in FL, along with (what I believe) my first address in NY after returning. I'm pretty sure the problem popped up between moving back to NY, and moving to a different location in NY.

But thank you for reminding me to bring that other information.

 

[BL]

If the local office can resolve the issues when you visit them,you can request an emergency check . It's only about $400.00,then you receive the remainder later.

 

[Ohiogal]

So, do you guys think my chances are good for getting this taken care of? I'd hate to permanently lose my only source of income because of what is essentially failure to get my paperwork in order. I have all sorts of bills to take care of, and I'm already aware that even if I do win the appeal, there's going to be a large delay as to when I start getting my money again.

Why can't you work?

 

[PursuitandTie]

I have severe anxiety, which includes nasty panic attacks.

 

[Proserpina]

Why can't you work?

Since he gets SSI they've already deemed him disabled.

 

[Nellibelle]

Since he gets SSI they've already deemed him disabled.

A person can get SSI even if they are not disabled, under certain circumstances!