A DISABLED woman has been forced to move back in with her parents at the age of 55 after her Social Security benefit was repeatedly denied.
Amy Farrell says she has been battling with the agency for months after her condition left her unable to work or even leave her home.
Amy Farrell has been forced to move in with her parents at 55[/caption]
She says she was wrongly denied her Social Security payments[/caption]
Despite battling rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 30 years, the woman from Bonner Springs, Kansas has been able to live independently for most of her life.
But now she has been forced to move in with her parents because of what she calls a paperwork mistake for her disability benefits.
She was first denied her Social Security benefits in 2023, and now is struggling to pay for her prescription and doctors’ bills.
Farrell’s condition has cost her most of the feeling in her hands and left her unable to bend her knees.
Despite that, Farrell is praying for a miracle this holiday season.
“I do believe that this is going to work out,” she told ABC affiliate KMBC. “It’s the when.”
State and federal Social Security officials did not respond immediately to The U.S. Sun’s requests for comment.
The U.S. Sun also approached the Kansas Department of Children and Families, which oversees disability determination services for Kansas.
A spokesperson earlier said that they were looking into Farrell’s case.
The Social Security Administration says it will reach out directly to Farrell to help with her questions and concerns.
In the meantime, she is keeping her spirits up.
“I have to have the faith just to keep going and keep believing for something bigger than me,” she said.
Farrell’s loved ones have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for her medical expenses.
“Recently, she was admitted to the hospital due to excruciating pain, and doctors discovered blood clots in her heart, lungs, and left leg,” the appeal reads.
“Amy’s struggle is made even harder by the loss of her insurance and Social Security income a year ago.
“This unfortunate situation left her without coverage, forcing her to receive critical treatment in the hospital without insurance.”
What are the different Social Security payments?
Social Security provides a source of income when you retire or if you cannot work due to a disability.
There are four main types of Social Security benefits:
- Retirement – a monthly check that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or “disability” provides monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources.
- Survivor benefits – monthly payments to eligible family members of people who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died.
The appeal goes on to say that Farrell was able to secure new health insurance through the help of a social worker that started in July.
But the insurance doesn’t cover her most recent treatments, nor her hospital stay in June.
Earlier this month, Farrell’s friend shared a message from her thanking people for their support.
“We all have to keep believing for the Christmas miracle and dreams and restoration,” she said.
