What’s a Social Security recipient to do when he receives two contradictory letters — one announcing a drop in his benefits and a second promising an increase?
That was the dilemma facing a 67-year-old Kew Gardens resident(name withheld) who learned from one letter dated June 26 that he received $886 more in benefits than he was due. The letter stated that he had been paid $1,021.80 in January 1998 and he should have been paid only $135.89.
Both conflicting letters, arriving on the same day, were signed by the same Social Security official, Anne Jacobosky, assistant regional commissioner of the government agency’s center operations in Jamaica.
"We plan to recover the overpayment…about Sept. 3, 1999. The reduced payment will be $103 and you will receive your regular monthly payment about Oct. 1, 1999," the letter said.
Disheartened by the news, the recipient opened the second letter dated July 6 although it arrived on July 3. It lifted his spirit, but left him bewildered.
"The next check you will receive will be for $1034.50 (a $200 increase), which is the money you are due through 8/99," it read. "After that you will receive $989 each month." (a slight increase in his monthly stipend).
Jacobosky could not be reached, but Allen Friedland, deputy director for public affairs of the New York Regional Office in Manhattan, had this to say:
"We should have sent only one letter. We’re looking into the two letters arriving on the same day," he said. "For now, I’d say that if you receive a notice you don’t understand, call our national information center at 1-800-772-1213. If that doesn’t work then call your local office and ask to speak to a supervisor."
Friedland said he’d submit a full report on the incident to the recipient within a few days.
Social Security Giveth & Taketh Away…On Same Day
By QNS News Team
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