Dave Says: Social Security Calls Her Twice for Being Overpaid

Dear Dave,

My husband and I adopted our two grandchildren a few years ago. Since that time, we’ve been called into the Social Security office every year about them being overpaid by this department. No one has ever explained to us why or how this is happening. We want to be fair, but we feel something is wrong here. What would you do?

-- Kitty

Dear Kitty,

You’re not wrong for wanting to know the details of this matter. Anytime someone says you owe them money, you deserve to know why.

If it happens again I’d demand to speak with a supervisor. If you don’t get a good answer from this person, then go straight to your Congressman and explain the situation. Make a case for your representative by documenting every conversation and every correspondence with the Social Security department.

In the meantime, don’t take “no” for an answer and don’t send them any money. Just make yourself a big, nasty thorn in their side until you understand what’s going on and that it’s all fair and accurate.

-Dave