Disability benefits check disappears for man declared dead
Posted on:8/19/2009
Written By: Chris Robideaux
| In a story we hope is the last of its kind, but has happened before, a Bakersfield man is fighting to get his disability payments after he was somehow declared dead. James Evans' disability benefit check was taken back out of his bank account, setting off a nightmare he's not sure will soon be over. |
In a story we hope is the last of its kind, but has happened before, a Bakersfield man is fighting to get his disability payments after he was somehow declared dead. James Evans' disability benefit check was taken back out of his bank account, setting off a nightmare he's not sure will soon be over. "I looked at my bank account online," Evans said Monday, "and then noticed an entry on there of something reclaimed by the U.S. Treasury."
Evans has epilepsy, and he depends on the monthly checks to support himself and his two teenage children. When the benefit money disappeared, it was a shock and a hardship.
"It's been tough, having to borrow money. I really try to stay independent," Evans said.
He called his bank, and it gave him a statement showing the entry and a notice about a "death alert." It listed his death as being on June 5, 2005.
Evans went to the Social Security Administration office on Haley. Officials there told him the mistake would be taken care of and gave him a replacement check for his July benefits.
"Actually, they gave me a loan," Evans said. "That's what they told me."
He said that money is supposed to take care of July, but he's worried about what will happen next.
"I did a little research on the Internet and saw a lot of people that had the same problem," Evans said. "They're continuing to have the same problem."
Evans got his August benefit check a few days ago, but he's not convinced the problem has been fixed, or that he will get his September check. He got a letter from Social Security telling him the next check wouldn't come until October.
"They told me to use my money wisely," Evans said.
At the local Social Security office, district manager Ruben Varela admitted sometimes people are listed as dead by mistake.
"I can't say that it never happens -- it does," Varela said. "But we try to fix it real quick."
Varela said the mistake could happen for a number of reasons, and he could not comment specifically on Evans' case. Varela said the best course of action is to come to the office to get replacement funds.
He admits that can take time and patience.
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