Disabled Man Waiting For $14,000+ From Social Security Administration

By: Dianne Derby | News Channel 7
Published: April 27, 2010

Spindale, N.C. --

Thirty-one-year-old Kevin Smith has many problems with his shoulder and neck.

"I've got five cadaver bones in my neck, I have four disks in my back, I have a rod in my spine with a titanium plate, and I have 12 screws in my neck," said Smith.

Smith hasn't slept in a bed in years. He nods off every night in a recliner instead.

The Social Security Administration told 7 On Your Side that in March of 2009 Smith was approved for Social Security Disability Insurance which is based on money you've put in from work. SSA said he also was approved for Supplemental Security Income which is based on need. And he was due more than $14,000 dollars in back pay.

Smith said he didn't get a dime of the lump sum or any SSI payments until 7 On Your Side asked why.

"They finally admitted, and it took you, that they lost my SSI," Smith said.

We talked with the SSA's spokesperson Patti Patterson by phone from Atlanta. We told Patterson every time Smith called the SSA no one could give him answers. Patterson replied, "I apologize for that and certainly that's not the kind of service that we want to provide."

Patterson said a rare computer error kept smith from getting the money he deserved.

"Unfortunately we did not code our records correctly for both the Social Security Disability and the SSI," Patterson said.

Smith just wonders how he would have been treated if he had made the same mistake.

"If you or I owed the government this much money for this long I'd be calling you from jail," he said.

7 On Your Side cannot handle the overwhelming number of calls we get to help with social security claims. We tell viewers they have two options:

1. Contact an attorney. They don't get any money unless you win your case.

2. Contact your legislators. They have entire teams devoted to helping you. To contact your elected officials click here and type in your zip code.

What's the average amount of money someone declared disabled gets? The latest numbers from SSA show it's about $1,060 a month for those qualifying for disability insurance and about $500 for those who qualify for SSI. For a list of frequently asked questions click here.