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It’s not easy to get by in San Francisco, especially when a medical condition means you can’t work full time. Thankfully, between a part-time job, disability benefits, and a Section 8 housing voucher, I’m usually able to just get by.

In 2018 though, the Social Security Administration told me they had been overpaying me for 20 years and that I owed them over $25,000. How on earth could I come up with that kind of money?!

Over the years, ALRP had helped me many times – in dealing with my landlord, employer, the San Francisco Housing Authority, and in drafting my will and my Advance Health Care Directive.

So, I called ALRP again.

I met with their Insurance Attorney, Lynnette, who quickly filed a waiver request on my behalf. A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders: While the request was pending, they at least couldn’t bill me for the overpayment.

A year later, the waiver request was denied, so Lynnette filed an appeal asking for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

Lynnette Baclig, former Insurance Attorney, ALRP

Then, COVID hit and hearings were canceled. The $25,000+ debt still hung over my head. For months that turned into years, Lynnette called and emailed the Social Security office, trying to get them to hear my case. For all of 2021 and 2022 they shuffled us around, requesting paperwork we had already submitted, setting and postponing appointment times over and over again.

Each time, my anxiety became worse, and my physical health did too. I couldn’t sleep, thinking about what would happen to me if I had to pay that money back. Would I become homeless? Would I die?

Finally, I had a hearing set for March 2023. Lynnette helped me gather bank statements, payment records, medical records, all sorts of evidence to support my case. She then worked with me to prepare my testimony, and together we explained how I had always done everything Social Security asked.

Three months later, the judge finally made her decision. She saw what ALRP knew all along: that the overpayment wasn’t my fault. After five long years, the $25,778 debt was erased!

Life still isn’t easy, but that one huge burden was lifted off my shoulders.

I am so grateful for ALRP’s help.