Social Security to start cashing Uncle Sam's IOUs

[classicman]

Originally Posted by SamIam

The program where they are having the most problems is SSI - supplemental insurance to low income elderly and disabled. This program has so many rules, it's next to impossible to figure them out. Also, some rules are so petty that people just ignore them. For example, if a person on SSI receives a gift of $25 or more, they are supposed to report it and their next check will be docked accordingly. Since, SSI payments are only around $670.00/month, most people are going to ignore the rule and not report the $50.00 Mom sent at Christmas time. Even those who want to report it can't reach anyone to report to. The system is a mess.

I tried for over a month by phone - every day 6+ times a day. Forget it.


You must go to the office at least 1 hour prior to the opening and sit there, hopefully armed. When the doors open, you get in and wait... and wait... and wait...
When your turn comes up, you better have all your documentation ready in triplicate. Offer no more info than the bare minimum. They cannot handle anything more than the antiquated program they are using. You must resist trying to "tell the whole story" or adding information, no matter how pertinent. They simply have a box to check off. Once you get them off that track, their head will spin off. The level of comprehension couldn't be any lower.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by classicman

You must go to the office at least 1 hour prior the opening and sit there, hopefully armed. When the doors open, you get in

I assume you are talking about competing with the other determined customers for that first slot in line, and not talking about needing to be armed to deal with the overworked staff. Right?