[Nfbf-l] urgent request for assistance

[Kathy Roskos]

David,

You've got the scenario exactly right.  My appointment yesterday was like a 
nightmare.  They admit that the file is incorrect, but still suspend 
benefits until they "review" the case.  This supposed extra earnings 
happened in 2008, and I just heard about it last month.  I went yesterday to 
present my evidence and was told my benefits will cease immediately.  I 
tried to present records showing my earnings and impairment related work 
expenses, and the agent threw the papers back at me, saying "We already have 
all that."  I tried to tell them that I am not currently working or earning 
anything but Social Security, but he said, "The review will only take two 
weeks and your mortgage payments are only due once a month, so at least you 
won't lose your house."  Then he had the audacity to ask me, "Do you feel 
better now?"  The loss of benefits is very scary, and the thought of no 
income for many months is terrifying.  I am pursuing many different avenues, 
but right now there seems like very little I can do.

Not only have they cut off benefits, but they say I owe them $27,600+.  You 
are right about them causing a train wreck of your life.

It's nice to know that I have NFB to appeal to for support.

Kathy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2010 2:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] urgent request for assistance


>
> Dear Cathy,
>
> Contact your local Congressman's office right away and get them involved 
> to help you.
> This does not make sense as it sounds as if it was their mistake and 
> cutting you off from your benefits while they investigate is wrong.
> How do they expect you to live?  I have helped two other blind people get 
> their benefits restored, after Social Security cut off their benefits by 
> mistake and it still took 8 to 11 months to get them back even with two 
> congressmen's offices involved.
> These people did get their benefits restored and back payments for what 
> they missed, but it hurt them and their families, who had to step in and 
> support them in the meantime.
> It is not right the way Social Security handles these issues.
> They cause a train wreck in your life and then treat you
> Like it is your fault and as if you don't matter or you are a criminal or 
> something.
> You have to not only prove that they are wrong, at suffer for such a long 
> time until they feel like fixing it or not.
> I have seen it happen that if you forget to dot an "I" or cross a "T", 
> they kick back your paper work and make you start all over again, even if 
> it is their mistake.  You are the one made to suffer and if you get a 
> lawyer involved, they get a cut of whatever the government sends you.
> They commonly try to tell you that you are not disabled or not really 
> blind.
> They did this to both the people I mentioned before.  I told the one girl 
> to go to their office and place both of her glass eyes on their desk and 
> then ask them what part of "blind" they don't understand.
> It will take at least 6 months of an "expedited reinstatement."
> Get a lawyer from your local Center for Independent Living to help you 
> free graduss if you can.  Other wise they get anywhere from 30 to 40% of 
> what you get including the back payments.
>
> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Kathy Roskos" <kroskos at cox.net>
> To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 4:53 PM
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] urgent request for assistance
>
>
>> Dear list,
>>
>> I am urgently in need of an attorney to assist with a Social Security 
>> issue.  I had an appointment with Social security today, and although 
>> they admit that they have been judging my work income on the wrong code, 
>> one that does not take into account my blindness, they say that while 
>> they are reviewing the case, they have suspended my benefits 
>> indefinitely, effective immediately.  This causes me a very critical 
>> financial crisis.
>>
>> Does anyone know of an attorney that could help that is in or around the 
>> Gainesville area?
>>
>> Any advice would be deeply appreciated.
>>
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>
>
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