A MAN with autism was left financially and emotionally devastated after the Social Security Administration requested $35,000 back.
The back-and-forth financial battle with the government agency was draining, with no results even after appealing five times.
Max Silber, a 32-year-old Wisconsin resident, had received Social Security benefits due to his autism for most of his life.
He received Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, payments, which are administered to millions of Americans with disabilities and older adults with minimal financial resources.
However, the Wisconsin resident was abruptly notified that the SSA would stop his benefits.
Max was “devastated” in the aftermath, his father Jeff told Newsweek in June last year.
“In a matter of days, his world came crashing down,” said Jeff.
To worsen the situation, Max was informed that the adminisration had overpaid him by $35,000 due to a mistake that started in May 2022.
His father said he had appealed and followed up with the government agency five times, but it had yet to respond.
“Here is a person that followed the rules,” Jeff said. “He even worked full time during Covid when others refused to.”
As Jeff worked to appeal Max’s case, he became increasingly frustrated, especially regarding the requirement to determine if his son was still eligible for SSI benefits.
“In other words, did he still have autism?” Jeff said. “To imply one recovers from autism is an insult to my son and an indication of the lack of knowledge about illnesses of the decision-makers.”
His son was first diagnosed with autism in pre-school and applying for benefits the first time was “exhausting,” said Jeff.
“He qualified for Social Security disability benefits,” Jeff said. “His test scores classified him as retarded. No political correctness at the time. At that point, I knew I had to get involved.”
Max became more independent under the help of private tutors and now works full-time in housekeeping, able to drive and handle his finances.
However, the 32-year-old still needs structure and can become “obsessive” about certail things, according to Jeff.
“Mostly as is considered not possible with autism is that he has a heart and cares about others,” his father noted. “On the flip side, he has always lived with me and will likely never want to live alone, something that worries me as I age.”
BROKEN SYSTEM
When Max was informed that his benefits would stop, it was just four days before he normally received payment.
“He’s always followed the rules and was never told that he was being overpaid,” Jeff said. “Their basis was that he was gainfully employed and made more than the amount allowed to earn and still get benefits. They also concluded that he would have to prove he still had autism. This put us over the top.”
Jeff, currently retired and on Social Security himself, formerly worked as an autism therapist and still works as an advocate for families impacted by autism, so he fully understands the struggles that families like his face.
Families of children with autism already have to deal with a myriad of education and support options, and also face complications from the SSA if their child works too many hours.
Who can receive Social Security Benefits?
In addition to retired Americans, the following categories of people are eligible to receive Social Security payments:
Someone with a qualifying disability A spouse or child of someone getting benefits A divorced spouse of someone getting or eligible forSocial Security A spouse or child of a worker who died A divorced spouse of a worker who died A dependent parent of a worker who diedSource: Social Security Administration
The administration had a monthly income limit of $1,971 and asset cap of $2,000 last year for individuals receiving SSI.
These stipulations frequently lead to beneficiaries getting kicked off without knowing, according to Kevin Thompson, finance expert and CEO of 9i Capital Group.
“SSI ‘unknowingly’ kicks many needy people out of the program,” he told Newsweek. “…The system in itself needs to be modernized and a substantial effort needs to be undertaken to improve the system.”
Max’s father agreed, arguing that Social Security needed to recruit employees such as subject matter experts and doctors who understood the complexities of disabilities.
“If Social Security does not possess the staff and the knowledge to perform their jobs then they should not make random decisions affecting the lives of so many who then have to wait for months for resolution,” Jeff said.
“The overpayment was their mistake not Max’s, yet he is the victim like so many others. Social Security needs to be held accountable and responsible.”
The U.S. Sun has previously shared stories on Americans let down by the Social Security Administration.
A veteran endured a Social Security “nightmare” waiting years for payments after being told staff “lied” about a crucial date.
Another woman, 64, faced eviction despite claims that Social Security owed her hundreds – and she’s “getting nowhere.”
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