We realize it may be a stretch for ordinary people to want to keep up with the comings and goings of the Social Security Administration, but sometimes circumstances permit where someone does want to follow the latest news regarding the agency due to a possible retirement or disability interest. This blog is an ongoing piecemeal of recent stories that have involved Social Security. Some are tidbits and some are important things that should be known in the world of retirement or disability and others are just interesting stories and nothing more.
Limits On Social Security Card Replacements
A recent article found on Forbes.com identified a little known fact that most Americans are probably not aware of. The fact is their Social Security card is not infinitely replaceable. This was confirmed by Darren Lutz of Social Security’s National Press Office. Lutz informed that people are limited to three replacement cards during a calendar year and 10 replacement cards in a lifetime. Lutz said that all requests for replacement cards are tracked electronically and once you reach your annual or lifetime limit on replacement cards, you have provide an “exception” to the rule to get a new card. The following are exceptions Social Security uses in allowing a replacement card once someone has reached their limit.
- Legal name change;
- Change in immigration status or citizenship
- The need for a replacement card due to an error made by the Social Security Administration;
- Hardship of Social Security number holder.
Considering Social Security has been in existence since 1935, it is important to understand this was not always Social Security’s policy. At one time Social Security cards were infinitely replaceable, but that all changed with the passage of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2004. This new law amended the National Security Act of 1947. Lutz claimed that this change better protects Americans against identity theft.
“Restricting the number of replacement Social Security cards strengthens the integrity of Social Security,” Lutz said.
Social Security Employee Accused Of Stealing $680,000
According to an article in the Daily Herald, a newspaper that covers suburban Chicago, Ann Aroste, 42, was indicted on charges that she stole at least $680,000 while working as a claims specialist for the Social Security Administration.
Officials said Ann Aroste, 42, faces five counts of wire fraud and five counts of aggravated identity theft in connection with five instances between August 2013 and May 2018, according to an indictment filed in federal court Thursday. According to the indictment, Aroste began working for the Social Security Administration in April 2008 as a claims specialist processing and approving applications for social security benefits. Authorities said Aroste used her position to approve fraudulent applications for survivor benefits for people she falsely claimed had been married to deceased workers. Those five fraudulent claims resulted in at least $680,000 being paid by the U.S. Treasury Department to bank accounts Aroste controlled, officials said.
On each count of wire fraud, Aroste faces up to 20 years in prison, and each count of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence.
