HOUSTON — A Houston grandmother says the Social Security Administration has said she no longer owes them any money, after getting a letter in the mail saying she owed $65,000 because they overpaid her benefits.
Winnie Marshall, 89, has been fighting it for more than a year.
"Nobody could ever give us any answers when we called," her daughter Linda Stone said.
Marshall retired with T.R.S., the Teacher's Retirement System but was also receiving her late husband's social security checks. Years ago, when she went into a local Social Security office to clarify her benefits, they told her she could still receive both and even adjusted her Social Security payment to a lesser amount.
"We knew we had to do the appeal, and we did it," Stone said. "We did it first thing."
However, their appeal sat in limbo, and as the months went by they decided to call KHOU 11 for help. Our original story aired in December.
"Well, we were told not to speak to anybody but this one gentleman with Social Security," Stone said.
All of a sudden, they were getting some attention. More appointments and more letters from Social Security. Then finally, Marshall was notified the entire $65,000 bill was being waived.
"Well, I just want to thank you, I know that we wouldn't have gotten there if it wasn't for your help," she said.
Stone's children said it's important to be an advocate.
"Never give up," Stone said. "You have to protect yourself and especially your parents."
Marshal also received a refund, because the government had been garnishing her Social Security checks. However, then she got a call from a government employee saying the refund was a mistake. Since then, they've notified Marshall she can keep the money.
If you or a loved one has received a letter from the Social Security Administration about overpayments and want to learn more about the appeal process, click here.
