Hey Prezident Obama!! How about a massive hire of phone-available staff at Social Security Admin.

[99th_Monkey]

I've received some bizarre and seemingly inaccurate letters from Social Security and I need
to discuss these with a REAL PERSON who has the authority to straighted out the situation,
not a fucking automated voice that NEVER knows what I'm needing to know ... then put on hold
when I demanded to speak to a real person ... I've been holding now for over 1/2 an hour.
I've got other stuff I need to go do, but feel I've already invested 30 minutes to get this
far and am reluctant to hang up and go "to the back of the line" again later.

Oh, and there's a limited time to "appeal" anything in these letters. Catch 22.

This is a disgusting manner in which to treat beneficiaries who have legitimate questions,
and it can't help but breed internal inefficiencies and classic bureaucratic bungling.

How about a clause in Obama's stimulus package to hire-up with trained professionals to
answer phones at the Social Security Administration?

[wellstone dem]

1. Amen!!!!

I help recipients of SS and regularly am on hold for over a half hour waiting to talk with a live person. And Lord help you if you go in person to an office, bring food and drink and maybe a sleeping bag.

[99th_Monkey]

4. That's actually my situation too.

in that on this occasion, my questions have to do with one of my sons (he's on SSI and I'm his "representative
payee"). The letters they are sending him are quoting amounts to be received that are different from amounts actually
being received by my son. I did finally get through today gratefully ;-) .. and I think it's all straightened
out **knocks on wood**

[1776Forever]

2. And Amen!

I can't agree with you more! If and when others need to contact the SS Offices they will see what we are asking for!

[Bluestar]

3. I just went through this at the beginning of December

I counted and after talking to 14 different people at SS, I got (you guessed it) 14 different answers! I finally had to go to the local office and stand in line. Even then, the local office gave me a different answer than the national "hot" line and I got two differing letters in the mail. It is a mess, especially at the first of the month. Since it took me two weeks to get through, I can attest to the fact that the middle of the month is easier to get through on the line, but I doubt that the competence level is raised at all.

Good luck to you.

[99th_Monkey]

5. I guess I should consider myself lucky

cuz I did finally get through to someone (40 minutes or so into it) ... who after I asked my questions, put
me on hold for another 10 minutes ... but did finally come back with some semi-plausible answers. I think
it's all worked out, but will have to wait and see.

thanks for your commiserations. ;-)