Homeless woman proves Social Security owes her $100K

For years, Wanda Witter, 80, says people called her crazy. But on Tuesday, she received $99,999.

Washington (AP) — For years, Wanda Witter has lived on the streets in Washington, D.C., trying to persuade officials that Social Security owes her more than $100,000. For years, the 80-year-old woman says people dismissed her as crazy.

But finally someone listened — and on Tuesday she received a $99,999 payout, The Washington Post reported.

Witter moved to the District of Columbia in 1999 to seek work after losing her job as a machinist in New York years earlier, according to The Post.

But even though Witter had earned a paralegal certificate to prepare for a new career, she remained jobless. In 2006 she decided to draw Social Security benefits. However, the monthly checks varied wildly, from $900 to $300. Believing the checks were wrong, Witter didn’t cash them and sought help.

“If I just cashed them, who would believe me that they were wrong?” Witter said.

She remained homeless, bedding down on the concrete in a sleeping bag. She kept a tower of three suitcases, containing her Social Security paperwork, next to her.

In 2015 social worker Julie Turner listened. Instead of dismissing Witter as crazy, Turner patiently waded through her documents and verified her story.

“She had all the paperwork there, neatly organized, in order. She was right all along. They did owe her all that money,” Turner said.

Turner took Witter to attorney Daniela de la Piedra, who took on her case. In June, a Social Security official finally acknowledged Witter’s case and wrote her a $999 check — the most that could be written on the spot. Last week, Witter received her first full payment — $1,464.

Witter received a $99,999 Social Security deposit in her bank account on Tuesday. On Aug. 16 Witter moved into a studio apartment on Capitol Hill.

Social Security officials declined to comment.

LINDA DAVIDSON/THE WASHINGTON POST VIA AP In this Aug. 10 photo, homeless woman Wanda Witter beds down in her sleeping spot, with suitcases in arm’s reach, outside the Au Bon Pain on 13th and G Street in Washington, D.C. Witter, who is 80 years old, was recently attacked at the location,...