Just a rant on Social Security

[Kapohocat]

Although this is Federal related - the bank and SS office are In Hilo.

So in Dec my mom passed away. SS "asked" BOH to reverse the payment which BOH happily did. (Bear in mind since SS is a month behind and this was her November benefit and two visits to SS in Hilo both clerks said BOH was NOT supposed to do that).

Okay so 1 form later, filled out, DC attached, and taken into Hilo SS office in person - ok - good to go - 3-4 months will be returned.

Form is returned - now need BC of all 3 children. Okay collect those up from my brothers - original certified copies mind you - again take them into SS office in Hilo. Okay form looks fine. They will forward to correct Dept.

Fast forward 10 weeks. Get form back. Missing one address. (Only two lines and three children so SS clerk wrote 3rd address on paper and attached it to form.)

Two children received 1/3 checks - 1 sibling needs to start process over again.

Seriously.

So I take info into SS office again (because I still have BC of sibling) and start again. Ok, 8-10 weeks and now they have to contact 3rd sibling to make sure he didnt get check.

First of all - I want to say NO THANKS to BOH.
and let me see how much SS budget did they waste just on this one person?? and I wonder why our fed gov is going broke.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

I've always heard that you can't take it with you. But the SS office sure is doing their best to keep you from leaving it behind too.

[punaticbychoice]

They should pay as much attention to "Wall Street and Bishop Street" as they do ordinary people.
What BS for ordinary people who have paid into the system, or, who the system is designed for.
Make the criminals on Wall Street and Bishop Street pay their share, like the rest of us.
It is only fair. Just a statement of fact.

[Kapohocat]

It isnt the money.

The Hilo clerk totally bungled what was already a error created by BOH.

When I asked her why we couldn't get this straight - all she did was look at me with a blank stare like I dont really care I just am putting in my hours - and I was really polite.

If I thought it would even help, I would write to someone ? But who? and I am tenacious and now it is a goal of mine, so we are getting through it. What about families who dont and really do need to have the money now or a older person in Hilo whose spouse died, and they dont want to make waves so they dont follow up? Thats what really gets me!

[Lupie]

That's just the way social security works. They like to hold onto that money as long as possible.
I signed my kids up for benifits under my disability. What was supposed to take a month... Took 7 months.
I wouldn't bother complaining to them or they will make it take a lot longer.

[JG-HPP]

Not that I agree with this but BOH was only following the SS mandate. Whoever told you that they shouldn't have returned the $$ is misinformed. All financial institutions must return the deceased's SS or face fines.

Too bad SS can't give a month of leeway for newly grieving survivors but that is not their concern. That would be, well, too humane.

1 island 2 another

[cwaters]

I was a teacher for 27 years and paid into a state pension. Then I moved to Hawaii and put in over 40 units to qualify for SS in another type of job. I receive 1/4 of what any one else can receive after 40 units. Ronald Regan did this to teachers, as he was mad at them. Not so fair I think.

[Kapohocat]

quote:

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Originally posted by Julie

Whoever told you that they shouldn't have returned the $$ is misinformed.

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Two different employees at Hilo SS office.

One told me they have sent memos, emails, and letters to BOH and they do it anyway.

So that is all I know is what I was told by SS employees.

[gakeating]

If someone has a problem with Social Security or any other federal agency, write your congressman. Congressional staffs have people who do nothing but expedite things. Before doing this, though, it is good to ask to speak to a supervisor. Supervisors are the ones who end up dealing with congressional inquiries. You are going to end up there most of the time, so it helps to begin there.

The hangup in this particular case is that when there is money owed to anyone other than a recipient or recipient spouse you enter into a kind of mini-probate where state inheritance laws apply. This involves all kinds of manual processing and documentation. If the bank had not returned the check that was due......