New widow to Social Security: I’m alive and not well

Robin Scott says the Social Security Administration has incorrectly declared her dead.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Robin Scott says the Social Security Administration has incorrectly declared her dead.

It was bad enough when Robin Scott’s husband of more than 45 years died in early January.

Now, the Social Security Administration says she’s dead, according to Channel 2 Action News.

“Social Security reports me as being dead, too,” Scott said.

She said the agency mixed up her number with that of her late husband. That denied her benefits and her monthly Social Security checks.

“They’ve made a mistake to the point that now I can’t do anything,” she said. “My hands are completely tied.”

Compounding the misery, the water heater in her basement caused a flood.

“Can’t pay my bills, my basement is leaking,” Scott said. “(Her late husband) was my maintenance guy, he was my go-to person. ... He’s gone now, so ...”

A Gwinnett County resident, Scott said she has been to the Social Security office in Winder three times and has gotten nowhere. Channel 2 also couldn’t reach officials there.

The regional office issued a statement that said, “Privacy laws prevent us from disclosing information on a specific person’s record.

“We have been in contact with Ms. Scott and are taking action to discuss her concerns,” the statement read. “We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.”

Meanwhile, Scott waits for the situation to get straightened out.

“So I don’t know how long it’s going to be till I get to be alive again."

In other news: