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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMan with HIV on disability has benefits cut (believes by DOGE) is ordered to pay back $200K
https://abc7news.com/post/bay-area-hiv-survivor-owes-back-201000-social-security-getting-disability-benefits-cut/16147446/This Bay Area man has been on disability since 2005. He just got a letter from disability stating that they believe he should not have received payments from 2014-2025, and are demanding he pay back over $200K. He believes this is the work of DOGE. He's also been removed from Medicare, which he needs for HIV meds.
Very scary stuff for anyone on disability.
MagickMuffin
(18,069 posts)This insanity has to stop. But who has the courage to stop it?
I hope Mr. Bay Area Man can find a solution to this madness. Id go to my local tv stations to address my concerns with them, as well as my representative. However, my representative wouldnt care because they are magaloongoons!
Bernardo de La Paz
(60,320 posts)intrepidity
(8,552 posts)My guess is they intend to try this on *everyone* and see who will (and can) fight.
Evil bastards.
AnnaLee
(1,348 posts)Remember when Trump said he could kill without consequence and then did so on when people died on Jan.6th. I guess after millions died of COVID (who knows how many his administration was directly responsible for), it became easy to kill. How many sent to Venezuela are still alive?
KarenS
(5,050 posts)SWBTATTReg
(26,026 posts)And he's not the only one I know that receive benefits due to their having AIDS. I know several of my friends, acquaintances that get SS benefits too, and they have all gotten them for a long, long time.
sheshe2
(95,835 posts)Because of course the pre-pubescent boys of DOGE are doctors as well.
No words.
BlueKota
(5,041 posts)PATRICK
(12,347 posts)and as I recall more than few were ordered to pay back. And this also took place when "mistakes were made" not always by the applicant. This might be a more gross application of the Reagan era abuses, without a Congress to care, of course.
pinkstarburst
(1,874 posts)don't have a lot of spare change lying around to hire a legal team. Many people, if not most people on disability, live in poverty, so unless there is a way to hire a lawyer to take on the federal government and that lawyer is willing to work for nothing...
wanderer54
(98 posts)to 25% of back benefits (from time of application) with a maximum of $9,200. This is a Social Security regulation
There is no up-front-fee to pay
turbinetree
(26,975 posts)LoisB
(12,353 posts)Baitball Blogger
(51,694 posts)wordstroken
(1,405 posts)yellow dahlia
(4,514 posts)Anyone can host an event. Here is a link to the call to action. https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/hands-off-social-security
One of the organizations behind this is Social Security Works.
wordstroken
(1,405 posts)Looking forward to your report with pics or video and details on how things go for you. And appreciate you posting the link to the Hands Off Social Security site for more info.
Excitingly anticipating the upcoming record-breaking turnout numbers across the globe. 🙏
yellow dahlia
(4,514 posts)what is expected on the 19th.
But we need to keep the grass growing. And Social Security warrants attention right now.
There are many other protests this week, as well.
electric_blue68
(25,810 posts)😑🤬😔
MichMan
(16,623 posts)Under the California Working Disabled Program, people who meet the federal definition of disability an AIDS diagnosis qualifies as a disability and whose net income is 250 percent of the federal poverty level can receive health coverage through Medi-Cal, Californias version of Medicaid.
Aguilar averaged $2,200 a month in income last year, he said. The Social Security Administration says disability benefits may cease for a person making $1,550 a month or more. But at times during the period covered by the letter, Aguilar wasnt working, he said. He didnt know why the administration chose the dates it did.
https://www.advocate.com/news/social-security-demands-activist-repay