75-Year-Old's Social Security Benefits Restored
I-Team: Another Woman Still Waiting For Correction
POSTED: 6:48 p.m. EST November 7, 2003
UPDATED: 6:50 p.m. EST November 7, 2003
BALTIMORE -- The case of an elderly man who lost his Social Security benefits -- because the agency thought he was dead -- has been resolved.
WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team reporter Barry Simms first reported in October that some local seniors have been listed as dead by Social Security -- even though they are very much alive.
That happened to Carl Bradford Jr., 75, of Glen Burnie (pictured, right).
In October, the 11 News I-Team has shown how the interpretation of three letters -- D.O.D. -- is causing lots of confusion. When people leave nursing homes and go to hospitals or other facilities, their records indicate D.O.D. as the date of discharge. But in some cases, an estimated 20,000, the SSA interprets the acronym as date of death, Simms reported.
In Bradford's case, Social Security received a letter from his nursing home with the letters D.O.D. marked on it, and interpreted it as meaning that he was dead.
"It was a terrible, terrible headache," Bradford's daughter, Jeri Whited, said.
Since the 11 News I-Team's last report, Social Security restored Bradford's benefits and the assisted living center received all of the money it is owed, amounting to about $4,500. Also, Bradford's wife is no longer receiving widow's benefits.
"So far, everything is fine. My mother is still very worried that they're going to come back six months from now and say, 'You owe me.' But Social Security has reassured me that that will not happen," Whited said.
But the news isn't as good for Clara Drisgill, 65, (pictured, left) who isn't sure what's happening in her case.
The same thing happened to Drisgill, who continued to receive medical bills even after her benefits stopped. Social Security claimed benefits have been restored, but she's still waiting for checks, Simms reported.
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger's office is working with Drisgill to correct the matter. A Social Security representative told 11 News that safeguards are in place to prevent mistakes.
Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest 11 News I-Team updates.
WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team reporter Barry Simms first reported in October that some local seniors have been listed as dead by Social Security -- even though they are very much alive.
That happened to Carl Bradford Jr., 75, of Glen Burnie (pictured, right).
In October, the 11 News I-Team has shown how the interpretation of three letters -- D.O.D. -- is causing lots of confusion. When people leave nursing homes and go to hospitals or other facilities, their records indicate D.O.D. as the date of discharge. But in some cases, an estimated 20,000, the SSA interprets the acronym as date of death, Simms reported.
In Bradford's case, Social Security received a letter from his nursing home with the letters D.O.D. marked on it, and interpreted it as meaning that he was dead.
"It was a terrible, terrible headache," Bradford's daughter, Jeri Whited, said.
Since the 11 News I-Team's last report, Social Security restored Bradford's benefits and the assisted living center received all of the money it is owed, amounting to about $4,500. Also, Bradford's wife is no longer receiving widow's benefits.
"So far, everything is fine. My mother is still very worried that they're going to come back six months from now and say, 'You owe me.' But Social Security has reassured me that that will not happen," Whited said.
But the news isn't as good for Clara Drisgill, 65, (pictured, left) who isn't sure what's happening in her case.
The same thing happened to Drisgill, who continued to receive medical bills even after her benefits stopped. Social Security claimed benefits have been restored, but she's still waiting for checks, Simms reported.
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger's office is working with Drisgill to correct the matter. A Social Security representative told 11 News that safeguards are in place to prevent mistakes.
Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest 11 News I-Team updates.
Previous Stories:
- October 22, 2003: Social Security Declares Patients Dead, Other Agencies Cut Benefits
- October 21, 2003: Social Security Incorrectly Records Elderly As Dead
- October 20, 2003: Social Security Thinks Woman Died, Stops Payment
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