Database Error Costs Social Security Victims $500M 299
Hugh Pickens writes "The Washington Posts reports that the Social Security Administration has agreed to pay more than $500 million in back benefits to more than 80,000 recipients whose benefits were unfairly denied after they were flagged by a federal computer program designed to catch serious criminals. At issue is a 1996 law, which contained language later nicknamed the 'fleeing felon' provision, that said fugitives were ineligible to receive federal benefits. As part of its enforcement, the administration began searching computer databases to weed out people who were collecting benefits and had outstanding warrants. The searches captured dozens of criminals, including some wanted for homicide, but they also ensnared countless elderly and disabled people accused of relatively minor offenses such as shoplifting or writing bad checks and in some cases, the victims simply shared a name and a birth date with an offender." (Read more, below.)
"The lead plaintiff in the class-action suit, Rosa Martinez, 52, of Redwood City, Calif., was cut off from her $870 monthly disability benefit check in January 2008 because the system had flagged an outstanding drug warrant in 1980 for a different Rosa Martinez from Miami. Officials said it is difficult to estimate how many social security recipients might be affected by the agreement but said the number is fewer than 1 percent nationally. 'What's remarkable about this case is thesheer number of individuals who were unfairly denied benefits and the size of the financial settlement they will receive,' said David H. Fry of Munger, Tolles & Olson, one of the pro bono attorneys who represented victims."
Re:Not a database error (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Not a database error (Score:4, Funny)
If they're not already burning in hell, I'd quite like to shove a bottle of Dave's Insanity Sauce up their ring.
Any
I don't have the words to describe how shite it is.
Smiff: "But it does send emails!"
Cut to aerial camera view... (Score:4, Funny)
I look up and shake my fist -- COBOL!!!!!!
Re:And that's what happens (Score:3, Funny)
That would explain why there are potholes big enough to stop any gataway car in its tracks.
Re:Not a database error (Score:2, Funny)
Well, it could if it suggested that the government be put in charge of life-and-death healthcare decisions. But given TFA that might look silly.
What they needed was a primary key... (Score:2, Funny)
What they needed was some sort of primary key for their social security tables, with which to match against. Perhaps a number, unique to each individual?
Re:How on earth... (Score:4, Funny)
On the one hand, are you under some delusion that your health insurance company is somehow doing a better job? With greater reliability, efficiency, and accountability? Fewer errors, fewer denied valid claims?? Do you just take it on faith, or do you have any evidence at all that your insurance company is doing a better job?
Well they're making tons of money, so they must be doing something right! =D
Re:Defending the SS admins (Score:3, Funny)
You shouldn't cut people's benefits because they share a name with someone with a bench warrant
Ah, yes, and now you understand the real problem.
next they'll make up a scret list of names that keep people off planes.
Hehe.
Lady behind the counter, just after telling me that I was on a TSA Watch List: "There must be an evil Chris Burke out there."
Me: *shifty eyes* Yeah, some other Chris Burke must be evil...
Re:$500M/80K = how much? (Score:4, Funny)
More zip!?
Re:Not a database error (Score:1, Funny)
You can be number 1.
Does the oldest person alive get number 2? What about the youngest? Finally, which numeral system would we use? (I seem to have a strange affection for unary.) :)
(Oh, tally marks, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.)
Re:Um - No, not yet at least (Score:3, Funny)
Liar, I called that number and he didin't answer. It was some damn La Rasa member! Probably in training to be a supreme court justice.