From David Weaver, a former Social Security executive writing for ICT (emphasis added):
Just-released data indicate that about 25 percent of children in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, have lost a parent or sibling to death.
The childhood bereavement picture is very different in Union County, South Dakota, where about 2 percent of children have lost a parent or sibling to death. Ninety-three percent of individuals in Oglala Lakota County are American Indian (alone) and 94 percent of individuals in Union County are White.
South Dakota is not an isolated example. In western states, childhood bereavement is far more likely in tribal areas. ...
Parents who work and pay Social Security taxes earn benefits for their children in the event of death. The benefit amounts are substantial, averaging $1,100 per month per child or $13,200 annually.
Unfortunately, a lack of awareness about these benefits and administrative errors by the Social Security Administration have left many bereaved children behind. Nationally, about 45 percent of bereaved children are missing out on Social Security survivor benefits.
Many families are simply unaware that bereaved children may be eligible for Social Security benefits. This, in turn, is because the Social Security Administration has scaled back its communication efforts.
For example, the agency no longer mails the Social Security statement to households each year. The statement provided detailed information on all types of Social Security benefits, including child benefits. ...
It's almost as if they need attorneys to help them file claims or something. They certainly need for someone to tell them to file.
8 comments:
Good that Frank is bringing light to this. His predecessor certainly did not. He’s been a terrific Commissioner so far.
The article was written by David Weaver who identifies as a former executive of SSA and the Congressional Budget Office. He seems to source this information from reports of the Social Security Advisory Board. and the Inspector General but neither report addresses this specific issue.
So, why are you crediting Frank for bringing this to light. There is absolutely nothing to suggest he had anything to do with this.
Frank hasn’t done jack to bring this to light, and the article in no way suggests that. In fact it indicates the opposite is true.
Please go back to the babies‘ table until your literacy improves. Your attempted participation degrades the discourse.
I am curious how the 45% figure was arrived at. There are
a) children who would be eligible for benefits who never apply
b) children whose claims were wrongly denied
c) children who lost a parent but can't prove that person is their parent (usually paternity), and
d) children whose deceased parent didn't have the earnings history for survivor benefits.
The solutions to each would be quite different, and I would guess that the number of kids who fall into each category is different too.
where in the article did you see anything that Bisignano is doing on this issue?
The report is from CBEM, a private organization, and David Weaver is with the University of South Carolina. What did Frank (or SSA) do? As far as I can tell, nothing.
Seriously are you on his private payroll? You sound like a sycophantic chat bot!
Thanks for the story. I sent an email to legal aid in the area and hope it does some good.
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