How do you receive accountability from the Social Security Administration?

Question

I am a US citizen, retired and living in Europe on a reduced income....In May of 2006, I received a letter informing me that my monthly benefit was being reduced by almost $300......no explanation accompanied this notice!......I filled out the required form for a reconsideration of this reduction and to date have received no answer......I have been in contact with the Rome branch of the SSA for assistance, but their records and inquiries to Baltimore show no reason for the reduction........they also have sent 2 or 3 postal mailings with no response......this week after sending an e-mail to Baltimore, they received a one line reply which completely avoided any explanation of the reduction.....over the past few years, I have received almost 10 letters from the SSA displaying disturbing inconsistencies in their professionalism and accuracy. I am at the point where I am considering getting legal assistance, but I can't afford a lawyer. How do I receive a response from these people?

To Laura: Thank you for answering my question, but I do not believe living outside the U.S. results in a reduction in SS benefits......leastwise, in my research, I have not found any information on this in the SSA website......Steve

Answer 1

Write a letter to the US President so that appropriate action will be taken against the Social Security Administration in your favor.

Answer 2

Did the letter ask for your ssn? other personal info about you? I heard about a scam where this is exactly what the crooks did, said your benefit was being reduced and you had to file this paper to fix it, if so you better look into your finances and safeguard your finances, this was the exact scam, I hope I'm wrong, but this sound exactly like the one reported here a year or so ago. Go on the intranet and search the news archives and see if you can find the story which was reported know it was on kabc in los angeles, and also on fox and CBS news here too, good luck.

Answer 3

It happens when retirees move out of the country. Same goes when they move to Mexico. To gain full benefits, you have to remain in U.S. where you are a citizen. That's what it all boils down to.

To get a real response it doesn't seem that you can trust the mail. Letters never seem to get where you want them to go and if they do...they usually fall off the desk their piled on, down to the circular file which sets upright on the floor. Best to just come back and visit for a week and sit in the SSA offices till you get an answer.

Answer 4

I wish I knew the answer; what they are doing is outrageous. Did you try calling them? Maybe it would be better to handle this over the phone than mail.