Disability Law Claims Blog

Social Security Survivors' Benefits Paid to Wrong Person

A recent case of Social Security fraud involves a woman collecting Social Security disability survivors' benefits on behalf of a child. However, the SSA neglected to realize that the child was not entitled to the money and that the money was instead being given to the fraud suspect.

According to WOWK-TV, a 39-year-old West Virginia woman filed a claim more than eight years ago for survivors' benefits. Authorities say that she claimed to be applying for the child's benefit, but because the child was not the son or daughter of the deceased, the benefits should not have been disbursed.

An error in the SSA system allowed for the woman to collect roughly $62,000 over the course of eight years, all of which she has been ordered to repay. This doesn't change the fact that a failure in the system led to a mismanagement of a deceased disabled individual's benefits, which could have potential impact on their family.

Using a deceased person's Social Security account to profit is not only illegal, but, as this tragic case demonstrates, it is potentially damaging to the deceased and their survivors.

Negotiating the intricacies of Social Security disability benefits is complex and difficult enough without having to cope with such issues of fraud and dishonesty. If you are having trouble getting the disability benefits that you deserve, you should contact an experienced disability attorney.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida disability lawyers, LaVan & Neidenberg, represent over 5000 disability claimants. Our disability attorneys have experience with cross examining agency-appointed medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your disability claim. Call us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.