Simpsonville Woman Gets Nearly $50,000 Disability Payment After Long Wait

A Simpsonville woman is due nearly 50,000 from the Social Security Administration but she says getting that money has been impossible.

By: Dianne Derby | News Channel 7
Published: August 19, 2009

Thirty-six-year-old old Rebecca Jordan numbs the pain in her body with medicine every day.

"It's humiliating to be in pain management but that's where I am at," Jordan said.

She suffers from a condition called complex regional pain syndrome or RSD.

"If one of my pets licks my foot it hurts," Jordan said.

She said the pain is a result of a fall she took at work back in 2006 when she tripped over a laptop cord. The fall left her with nerve damage.

"I got up to send a fax and I went flying," Jordan said.

On May 4, 2009 the Social Security Administration gave her a "fully favorable" decision that she was disabled. Her back pay was more than $50,000. Now, more than three months later, she still hasn't seen a dime.

"The attorney got paid two months before I did and I was like 'Why wouldn't you release the funds on the same day?'," Jordan said.

Seven On Your Side sent her concern to SSA spokesperson Patti Patterson. Five days later the money was deposited into her account.

"I tried by myself, tried it though my lawyer and it took WSPA to make it happen," Jordan said.

Why such a holdup? Patterson said the average wait time to get back pay is four to six weeks, not the more than three months Jordan waited. Patterson said, "We just really could have processed this sooner. As I told Ms. Jordan I apologized to her it took longer than it should."

"It's a shame that you have to go to the length of getting media involved to make the SSA administration move," Jordan said.

As Jordan continues to cope with her disability she turns to God to get her through the tough times.

"He has plans for me plans to prosper me and not to harm me," Jordan said. "That's what it says in the Bible and I believe that."

7 On Your Side is not designed to handle the overwhelming number of requests for help we get for assistance with Social Security claims. That's why we give you other options for help. We urge you to contact your state and local congressmen. For their contact information click here. You also can hire an attorney for assistance. They do not get paid unless you win your case.