Aunt Millie's social security check didn't arrive either Tuesday or yesterday, so I did as told on Monday...called SSA back, only to be told to "give the mail another day" (so either the SSA agent gave me false info on Monday, or the one yesterday gave me false info).
Okay.....today...three days later, my aunt's S.S. check still didn't come. When I called SSA this afternoon, I put aunt Millie on the phone, and guess what? The woman with SSA claimed they wouldn't send aunt Millie a replacement check....and the reason why? Aunt Millie wasn't able to give the agent her S.S. number....she's 89 yrs old, totally blind, and several light strokes have left her unable to remember anything. I offered to assist my aunt (read the numbers off her S.S. card), but was told that wasn't possible....my great aunt had to do it herself...either read/ say her S.S. number or they wouldn't send her check.
I was forced to take aunt Millie out in the cold rain, and drive her to Marietta, over 30 miles to the nearest SSA office....where we stood in line for almost an hour, then sat waiting another hour before being told she'll finally (hopefully) get her Social Security check....in 7-10 days (or over two weeks late).
I just wonder what happens to poor old folks who are blind and have no younger family members to depend on for transportation. If aunt Millie had taken a taxi to and from the Marietta SSA officer, it would have cost her $100 bucks.
What really ticks me off.....none of this was aunt Millie's fault. She (or I) are always waiting for her postman on the day her check comes. We know it was either stolen or lost BEFORE entering her mailbox. She can't help being blind, and cannot help being unable to remember anything anymore (i.e.- her S.S. number); yet to get a replacement check, it costs me $10 bucks gas, 4+ hours of our time; left an 89 yr old blind woman weak and worn out...and both of us totally disgusted with the system.
I just thank God aunt Millie isn't one of the unfortunate elderly Americans who are in poverty and living from "check to check". Her replacement check won't arrive until January 13th at the earliest. Such a delay could concievably mean an elderly person/ couple being evicted from their apartment, having their electricity or heat turned off...or possibly not eating until the replacement S.S. check arrives.
thats more reason why the money should belong to the individual in the first place. no one should be put in the position of begging the govt for anything. that money should be in her bank with her name on it
