A Social Security Windfall

Earlier this year, Wanda Witter, 80, was broke and homeless. Now, thanks to help from AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE), she has received nearly $100,000 in back Social Security benefits.

For 16 years, Witter disputed the amount the Social Security Administration was sending her and returned the checks. Due to her lack of an address, the checks eventually stopped coming. But she kept all of her paperwork, and LCE helped her straighten it out with the government. She now has an apartment and money for food.

“This case demonstrates the importance of keeping letters and documents in a safe place when you have a disagreement with a government agency,” said Daniela de la Piedra, LCE senior staff attorney.

To monitor your Social Security benefits, set up an account at ssa.gov/myaccount. For legal help, call the LCE hotline at 202-434-2120.