Jump directly to the content
BENEFITS BATTLE

Veteran endures Social Security ‘nightmare’ waiting years for payments after being told staff ‘lied’ about crucial date

The situation was only resolved after a major intervention

AN American veteran was forced to wait years to receive his Social Security disability benefits, enduring a back-and-forth nightmare.

The 53-year-old veteran was left in the dark after staff lied to him about when he would receive an important notice from the administration.

Social Security Administration building sign.
3
Many Americans have run into issues when applying for benefits through the Social Security AdministrationCredit: Getty
A Virginia veteran discussing his experience with Social Security disability benefits.
3
Virginia veteran Joseph Carle shared his struggle to receive Social Security benefitsCredit: WTVR

Social Security is a social insurance program that provides financial support through retirement income, Supplemental Security Income, survivor benefits, and Disability Insurance.

Securing your benefits, however, is not always an easy task.

Navy veteran Joseph Carle struggled for over three years to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, according to CBS 6 News.

The Virginia resident first applied for disability benefits back in 2021, but was confronted with a "never-ending nightmare."

Read More on Social Security

"I've gone through multitudes of doctor's appointments, just question and answer sessions, things like that, but made no real progress," said Carle.

After waiting for almost a year and resubmitting his documents multiple times, the veteran finally got a hearing date - but the judge experienced computer issues when the day finally came.

"Somebody in that whole catastrophe put down that the hearing never happened," Carle said.

The veteran's claim was ultimately canceled, and he had to take steps to get the administration to reinstate his claim.

"I proceeded further, and I'm wondering what's going on, what's going on, and then I get an approval letter, but no real information about pay or anything else," said the Navy veteran.

When Carle finally received his approval letter, he called the number provided and was told to expect the payment details by a certain date.

MONEY MOVES Social Security demands disabled man pay back $36,000 immediately after they overpaid him for 24 years

However, the date passed, and the veteran had received nothing from the Social Security Administration.

"I called back up there, and the gentleman I talked to, I told him that they said I was supposed to get some sort of notice or something by the 18th," Carle said. "And his only response was, 'Yeah, they lied.'"

The veteran shared that the hours he spent on the administration's website and on hold on the phone took a toll on him, combined with his back injury from years ago on a Navy ship.

"The combination of all of it just really maxes out my anxieties, depression, and I'm not afraid to admit that because of the Social Security stuff, at one point, I did attempt suicide," Carle said.

SECOND CHANCE

After years of waiting for his disability benefits, Carle contacted CBS 6 News as a last resort.

The news station reached out to the Social Security Administration for insight into the Virginia veteran's lengthy application process and was informed that although it could not comment on individual cases, someone would reach out to Carle.

The administration kept its word and an employee quickly contacted the veteran.

Filing a waiver with the SSA

Those who cannot afford to pay back the overpayment amounts noted by the SSA or feel they should not have to can file a specific form.

  • The form is identified as SSA-632 on the SSA website and can be filled out and submitted at a local office.
  • "If you agree that you have been overpaid, but you feel you should not have to pay it back because you did not cause the overpayment and you cannot afford to repay it, you should file Form SSA-632," the SSA notes on its website.
  • It also lists multiple repayment options.
  • Recipients with additional questions are urged to call 1-800-772-1213.

"I finally got in touch with you all, and ironically and thankfully, it only took one phone call," said Carle. "It's as if somebody just took a look at it and said, 'Oh, okay, approved. There you go.' That's all that needed to happen. It means so much. And I can't tell you 'thank you' enough times for this."

The veteran reflected on his extended application process, sharing that the most confusing aspect of the mess was that he was never informed of what was wrong with his application.

Carle's advice to others applying for disability benefits was to keep track of all documents and contacts with the administration.

The U.S. Sun reached out to the Social Security Administration for comment.

Other Americans have experienced horror stories with the administration.

Read More on The US Sun

It waited over two years to tell one beneficiary she owed $40,000, giving her just 30 days to repay.

Another couple felt as if "they’ve been failed" as the Social Security Administration demanded $30,000 back after claiming their children were overpaid.

Social Security card and US currency.
3
The Social Security Administration provides retirement income, Supplemental Security Income, survivor benefits, and Disability Insurance to millions of AmericansCredit: Getty
Topics