A Wisconsin man with autism, Max Silber, was told by Social Security that he must repay $35,000 due to an alleged overpayment error from 2022. Despite his father’s repeated appeals, the decision remains unchanged.
Max received Social Security Income (SSI) benefits for years due to his autism diagnosis, but recently, he was informed that his payments would be stopped and the debt must be repaid. The issue lies with the “error” made by the agency, which claims that Max exceeded the allowed income limit.
However, Max’s father, Jeff, argues that this is not Max’s fault. Jeff is a retired autism therapist who deeply understands the struggles of individuals with autism. He believes that Social Security needs more expertise in handling disabilities like autism and should take responsibility for its decisions.
The system has been criticized for various issues, including strict income limits, asset caps, and the risk of beneficiaries being removed from the program due to excessive work. Additionally, the agency faces a funding shortage, which may lead to reduced benefits by 2033.
As advocates argue that the system needs modernization and improvement, Max’s case highlights the need for greater understanding and support for individuals with disabilities like autism.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/wisconsin-man-autism-devastated-social-115500584.html