Problem Solver: Social Security Sends $50,000

By Dianne Derby
Anchor
Published: November 25, 2008

When you wait years for the government to approve your disability insurance request there’s no doubt you need that money. One woman who called us said the Social Security Administration took months to send her more than $50,000 in back pay. Our Dianne Derby got the money for her in no time. It’s a 7 On Your Side Problem Solver. 

“I hate being disabled but it’s a fact of life,“ said Gwen Ogburn.

Ogburn says she would rather be working right now. She says for decades she took care of others as a nurse practitioner but says her disabilities have forced her to take care of herself instead.

“I have a lot of arthritis and I’ve had two total knee replacements,“ said Ogburn. “I have chronic fatigue and chronic pain syndrome.“

She was approved for disability insurance earlier this year but can’t get the Social Security Administration to send her the more than $50,000 in back pay they granted. It’s money she needs after dipping into her retirement for 3 years while waiting for a final answer from the SSA.

“I called and they kept saying ‘Oh it just takes a while’,“ said Ogburn.

Our calls to SSA’s regional headquarters in Atlanta brought forth an apology to Ogburn from spokesperson Patti Patterson and an admission they should have moved faster.
“We do try to pay people as quickly and timely as possible,“ said Patterson. “Unfortunately, on some occasions things don’t get processed as quickly as they should. This is an example of that.“

Within days Ms. Ogburn was more than $50,000 richer.
“I was just so excited,“ said Ogburn. “I thank you so much because my lawyers tried, everybody’s tried, no one could get anyplace. It’s the red tape that you get lost in.“

And that’s exactly why 7 On Your Side stepped in.

We know many of you are waiting on answers from the SSA about your application for disability insurance.  Last week we shared some good news with you…finally! We found out the regional office in Greenville was breaking records on processing cases waiting for hearings in the weeks since our story “Denied for Disability” aired. The SSA did confirm to us that greenville moved from one of the worst out of -142- hearing offices in the nation to second place.

Remember if you are having problems getting your disability case the attention it needs you can do the following:
—Contact your local congressman for help. They have staff members that deal directly with this.
—Hire an attorney. They can’t collect fees unless you win!

For more information click here.