What if the Government Thinks I’m Dead?
In a classic conundrum that could only be created by our government, an Indiana man is fighting for his life despite being relatively healthy other than a few kidney problems. Since 2017, however, he has been fighting with the Internal Revenue Service to prove he is alive. That is right, along with the government now deciding whether you are a man or a woman, the government can decide if you are alive or dead.
The problem started when he received an erroneous condolence letter from the Social Security Administration, which made a mistake by classifying him as deceased. This triggered the IRS to deny more than $10,000 in stimulus checks because they thought he was dead.
Amazingly it is estimated that the government or credit reporting agencies erroneously declare 12,000 -14,000 people dead each year.
MISTAKE BY SOCIAL SECURITY ERROR
If the SSA thinks you are dead, your name and Social Security number are entered into a “death master file.” Once your information is in the database, you are no longer eligible to receive benefits. Therefore, any Social Security or disability payments stop.
You also lose Medicare coverage, which happened to a Texas woman mistakenly thought dead by the SSA. Furthermore, banks and other lenders rely on the death master file, so they will freeze your accounts and not extend credit to you. And if the IRS thinks you are dead, you can’t file tax returns or get refunds. But don’t dispair under the law because you are actually alive you are still required to file taxes, even though you won’t be able to because according to the government you are dead (you just don’t know it yet).
Funeral directors or family members report deaths to Social Security, but mistakes can occur when an agent types in the wrong Social Security number into the database.
IF SOCIAL SECURITY MAKES THE ERROR
If you realize you are considered dead by the SSA, you immediately need to correct their error. These are the steps to take:
Visit your local Social Security office.
Bring an original form of identification such as a driver’s license, passport, military record, or school or employee ID card.
Request an “Erroneous Death Case – Third Party Contact” letter. Yes, there is a form for that.
Present that letter to banks, credit reporting bureaus, doctors, and insurance companies that believe you are dead.
IF A CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY MAKES THE ERROR
When a credit reporting agency mistakenly records your death, it is called “death by credit bureau,” and it creates a host of problems. It hurts your credit score (why do you need a credit score if you are actually dead) and prevents you from borrowing money (again, if you are actually dead how are you borrowing money). You can get free credit reports from the three credit reporting agencies and contact them to correct the error. The agencies are:
Equifax.com
Experian.com
Transunion.com
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM MISTAKENLY CONSIDERED DEAD?
The most obvious way is if you receive a letter from the Social Security office or your bank. That is how one Philadelphia woman found out. She received a letter from Wells Fargo forgiving her student loans due to her “death.”
Another drastic way is if you are suddenly locked out of your bank accounts or can’t use your credit cards.
Finally, if you notice that you are not receiving benefits such as Social Security checks, stimulus payments, or other government benefits, it may mean the government thinks you are dead.
If you are having difficulties getting the SSA, the IRS, or credit reporting agencies to realize you are not dead, you should consult a lawyer. By the way before you really do die contact Winslow Law for your estate planning, because lets face it, it may happen without you knowing it. Then if a loved one does die let Winslow Law help you through the probate process. Of course if you don’t agree with the probate process, then let Winslow Law help you litigate through the processing of the estate and estate document interpretation.
You got it, Winslow Law covers you before you die, when you die, and when the government says you died.
