Social Security Erroneously Lists Thousands as Dead
By: Newsroom Solutions
Updated: August 18, 2011
Thousands of Americans every year are listed as dead by the Social Security Administration, even though they are still very much alive.
The error causes a massive tangle of complications that can result in the termination of benefits and financial hardship.
A report by CNN says some 14-thousand people annually are incorrectly placed in the agency's Dead Master File.
The list contains information such as Social Security numbers, birthdays and last known residences of millions of deceased Americans.
Officials say the first step in coming back to life in the eyes of the Social Security Administration is to obtain a copy of the erroneous death certificate.
The document will include the name of the person reporting the death.
It's also advised that a face-to-face appointment be made with the local Social Security office.
The error causes a massive tangle of complications that can result in the termination of benefits and financial hardship.
A report by CNN says some 14-thousand people annually are incorrectly placed in the agency's Dead Master File.
The list contains information such as Social Security numbers, birthdays and last known residences of millions of deceased Americans.
Officials say the first step in coming back to life in the eyes of the Social Security Administration is to obtain a copy of the erroneous death certificate.
The document will include the name of the person reporting the death.
It's also advised that a face-to-face appointment be made with the local Social Security office.
