The Social Security Administration has found a way to save significant taxpayer money by suspending benefits to any recipient they find who has an outstanding arrest warrant. Section 202(x)(1)(A) and 1611(e)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act authorizes this federal agency to halt payments if they can confirm the existence of:
- an active warrant for any felony offense, or
- an active warrant for a violation of misdemeanor or felony probation.
Media outlets have criticized the practice of using a "fugitive felon dragnet" that has resulted in the termination of benefits to the aged, blind and disabled. Surprisingly, the total number of people effected number in the hundreds of thousands. As it also turns out, many of the warrants are decades old.
The AARP is condemning this practice and calling the policy "An Outrage of Criminal Proportions." The AARP complains that many recipients who have suddenly lost benefits, were unaware that a warrant even existed. They also question the fairness of a knee jerk reaction when the criminal guilt or innocence of the recipient has yet to be determined. The National Senior Citizen's Law Center recently filed a Class Action law suit challenging the Social Security Administration's policy. In the mean time, the revocation of benefits by the SSA continues.
If you receive a letter from the Social Security Administration terminating your benefits as a result of an active Pinellas County warrant, you should contact my office at once. We can confirm if a warrant exists. We can also determine the nature of the criminal charge. More importantly, we can provide you with an experienced Pinellas County criminal defense attorney who can take immediate action to petition the court to withdraw the outstanding warrant. Once the warrant is withdrawn or canceled, your Social Security benefits will be reinstated.
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