[ct] Can I Challenge Ssa's Refusal To Repay $51k In Survivor Benefits?
Location: Connecticut
I’m 17. My father passed away in 2023 when I was 14, and we later found out I was entitled to Social Security survivor benefits.
My mother had been receiving around $2,136 a month as my representative payee, even though I hadn’t lived with her or been in her care for years. From what we were told, she claimed I was living with her. Once we discovered this, SSA changed my representative payee in 2025 to the person actually caring for me.
SSA later told us that approximately $51,000 in benefits had gone to my mother. After months of being told the money was still processing, SSA told us in October 2026 that we wouldn’t receive it unless she repaid it first. I’ve since filed a fraud report with SSA’s Office of Inspector General, but we haven’t received any written decisions or a complete payment history.
I found 20 CFR 404.2041(c) and (d), which seem to require SSA to replace misused benefits when its own negligence contributed to the misuse, even if it hasn’t recovered the money.
Could SSA’s failure to properly investigate my living arrangements when appointing the representative payee support a negligence finding? How do I obtain a formal written determination, and if SSA finds it wasn’t negligent, can I challenge that through reconsideration?
[link] [comments]
Popular Products
-
Put Me Down Funny Toilet Seat Sticker$33.56$16.78 -
Stainless Steel Tongue Scrapers$33.56$16.78 -
Stylish Blue Light Blocking Glasses$85.56$42.78 -
Adjustable Ankle Tension Rope$53.56$26.78 -
Electronic Bidet Toilet Seat$981.56$490.78