Long Island Man Struggles to Prove He’s Alive After Social Security Declares Him Deceased

Wilfredo Pagan, a 77-year-old man from Long Island, has been living through a frustrating nightmare for several years. The Social Security Administration (SSA) claims that Pagan is dead. Despite being very much alive, Pagan has been denied his Social Security benefits because the agency has him listed as deceased. As a result, he has not been able to collect the benefits he has earned and is now struggling to deal with mounting medical bills and financial hardship.

“I am suffering because every day I say, ‘Why do I deserve what happens to me?’” Pagan shared with a heavy heart. “It’s a nightmare… I think they want to kill me.”

A Living Man Declared Dead by Social Security

Pagan, a resident of Far Rockaway, Queens, has spent years trying to prove to the SSA that he is alive and entitled to the benefits he earned through years of hard work. But instead of receiving the benefits that could help pay for his medical care and basic needs, Pagan has received repeated notices from Social Security stating that no benefits are available because he is listed as deceased in their records.

The entire situation has been not only confusing but deeply distressing for Pagan, especially as his health has been rapidly declining in recent years. He has been battling severe medical conditions and mounting bills, all while fighting to clear his name and prove that he is indeed alive. Unfortunately, despite his persistence, Pagan has yet to see any resolution.

A Struggling Family and Small Business

In addition to his personal health issues, Pagan runs a small store in Far Rockaway, where he sells spiritual candles and religious statues. The store, which provides a modest income for him and his family, has been struggling to stay afloat due to the ongoing issues with Social Security. Pagan’s family, including his goddaughter, Deana Bain, has been working tirelessly to help him prove his case. But their efforts have often been met with empty promises from the Social Security Administration.

“They say, ‘We’ll do an investigation, and we’ll call you. And—nothing,’” Deana Bain said, expressing her frustration with the lack of progress and follow-up from the SSA.

The situation has been a constant source of stress and anxiety for Pagan and his loved ones, who feel trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare with no clear path to a resolution. Pagan has spent years trying to get the SSA to fix its mistake, but despite providing the necessary documents and proof, the agency has not taken any substantial action to resolve the issue.

A Visit to the Social Security Office

One of the most troubling aspects of Pagan’s ordeal occurred when he visited his local Social Security office in Freeport, Long Island. Pagan took his Social Security card with him to show the office staff that he was, in fact, alive. However, instead of being helped, Pagan claims that his Social Security card was confiscated by a worker who insisted that the card was fake.

“I went in with my card, and they took it from me,” Pagan recalled. “They said it was fake and that I couldn’t use it.”

This encounter only added to Pagan’s frustration, as he tried to prove his identity and gain access to the benefits he is rightfully entitled to. To make matters worse, the Social Security Administration has not provided clear explanations for the mistakes in their records or the continued denial of his benefits.

An Unsolved Mystery

Despite Pagan’s repeated efforts to reach out to the Social Security Administration for assistance, the case has remained unresolved. The SSA has offered no definitive answers, and each attempt to get the situation fixed has been met with delays and bureaucracy. Pagan and his family are left in limbo, unable to move forward with their lives due to a mistake made by the very agency that is supposed to help them.

This case is not unique. There have been several instances where individuals have been wrongfully declared dead by the SSA, leading to problems with benefits, bank accounts, and other services that require proof of life. While the SSA has processes in place to fix such errors, cases like Pagan’s highlight how difficult and time-consuming it can be to get a simple mistake corrected.

The Consequences of Being Listed as Dead

Being incorrectly listed as deceased can have serious consequences for anyone trying to receive Social Security benefits. These benefits are essential for millions of Americans, especially seniors, who rely on them to cover living expenses, healthcare costs, and other essential needs.

For individuals like Pagan, who are still alive but listed as dead, the financial and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Without the benefits that they are owed, they are left to struggle with mounting debts, medical bills, and the inability to access basic services. The longer it takes to fix these issues, the worse the consequences become, as people’s financial situations worsen and their health deteriorates.

In Pagan’s case, his health has been rapidly declining, and without the benefits he needs, he faces even greater challenges. The financial burden is only made worse by the fact that he has not been able to access any assistance, even after providing proof of his identity and submitting countless forms to correct the SSA’s mistake.

The Need for Reform

Wilfredo Pagan’s story is a powerful reminder of the need for reform in the way the Social Security Administration handles records and benefits. While mistakes are bound to happen in any large system, the fact that Pagan has been unable to resolve the issue for several years shows the inefficiency and lack of accountability in the system. For many individuals like Pagan, the consequences of such mistakes can be life-altering.

The SSA needs to improve its processes for handling identity verification and ensuring that errors in records are corrected quickly. In addition, there should be more transparency in the way cases are handled, so that individuals don’t feel lost in a system that is supposed to support them. As it stands, Pagan’s case is a perfect example of how a simple error can spiral into a long-term struggle that impacts a person’s health, finances, and overall well-being.

The Importance of Access to Social Security Benefits

Social Security benefits are an essential lifeline for millions of Americans, particularly older adults and those with disabilities. These benefits help provide financial stability for people who are no longer able to work or who are facing health challenges. For people like Wilfredo Pagan, having access to these benefits is a matter of survival, and being denied benefits due to a clerical error can be devastating.

This case underscores the importance of ensuring that the Social Security Administration is accountable for the records it keeps and that individuals who are entitled to benefits are not left in the lurch due to bureaucratic mistakes. It also highlights the need for reforms in the system to prevent errors like this from happening in the future.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

Wilfredo Pagan’s ongoing battle with the Social Security Administration is a heartbreaking example of how bureaucracy and mistakes in the system can wreak havoc on the lives of vulnerable individuals. As he continues to fight for the benefits he deserves, it’s clear that something needs to change in the way the SSA handles cases like his. Hopefully, his story will raise awareness about the need for reform and lead to a more efficient and accountable Social Security system in the future.

Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.

About The Author