Office goes to bat for man with social security benefit issue

Editor’s note: The Dayton ombudsman’s office provides weekly columns to the Dayton Daily News to bring awareness to issues it sees. Read this in print on Thursdays.

The Ombudsman received a call from a man who lives in downtown Dayton. The man stated that he stopped receiving about $250 of his Social Security Administration (SSA) benefit, and he has no idea why this happened. He has tried to reach the Social Security Administration, but all he can learn is that the matter is under review. The man is seeking an explanation as to why this change has happened, and he contacted the Ombudsman for assistance.

The Ombudsman contacted the SSA on the man’s behalf. Initially, the staff at the SSA responded that there is no appeal pending regarding the man’s benefits. After further investigation, the staff person at the agency said the man’s benefit was reduced because he was earning too much money from his employment. Upon learning this, the man responded that he is 75 and is not working at all. The Ombudsman reported this to the SSA who then contacted the man directly to verify the information and then adjusted his account. The man was advised by both the SSA and the Ombudsman that the employment record received by the SSA may constitute an instance of identity theft. The man was also advised to monitor his accounts. The man’s benefits returned to his original amounts. He was grateful and did not know how he could have resolved his problem without involvement from the Ombudsman Office.

The Ombudsman Column, a production of the Joint Office of Citizens’ Complaints, summarizes selected problems that citizens have had with government services, schools and nursing homes in the Dayton area. Contact the Ombudsman by writing to us at 11 W. Monument Ave., Suite 606, Dayton 45402, call 937-2234613, or by electronic mail at ombudsman@daytonombudsman.org.