A Social Security mistake almost cut her check to $163—could it happen to you?
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One day, you’re budgeting for groceries and bills.
The next, you receive a letter claiming your income has skyrocketed—and your benefits are being slashed.
That’s exactly what happened to one woman, who hadn’t worked in years but was suddenly accused of earning over $100,000.
The error nearly cut her only source of income down to just $163 a month.
Her story is a wake-up call for anyone who depends on Social Security to make ends meet.
Audrey Richardson, 65, had been receiving Social Security benefits after years on disability and survivors’ programs.
But in 2024, she opened a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) claiming she’d earned $114,572 in reported income.
Because of that, her monthly check was being reduced to just $163. “I just busted out laughing,” she said.
“This is a joke, because I have not worked since 2019.”
But the stakes were no laughing matter.
Audrey lives alone in Raleigh, North Carolina, and her Social Security check is her only source of income.
Trying to fix the issue, Audrey called the SSA.
They gave her the name of the company that supposedly reported the income—but she’d never even heard of it.
She tracked the company down herself and spoke to their HR department.
Not only had they never paid anyone that amount, they confirmed Audrey had never worked there.
The company provided a formal letter backing her claim, which she sent to the SSA.
Still, it wasn’t enough to resolve the issue right away.
Even with written proof in hand, Audrey was told she would need to file a formal appeal.
It was at that point she reached out to Diane Wilson, a local news troubleshooter known for helping seniors deal with complex bureaucracy.
With Diane’s help, the SSA finally reviewed the case.
The error was corrected and Audrey’s full benefits were restored.
“I am so grateful,” Audrey said, relieved to have her check back where it belongs.
Audrey’s case is still a mystery.
Was it a clerical mistake? A reporting error from the employer? Or could it have been identity theft?
The SSA processes millions of wage reports every year, and sometimes mistakes do happen.
In some cases, income is accidentally reported under the wrong Social Security number.
Other times, fraud or data entry errors cause red flags that can delay or reduce your benefits.
If you receive a letter from Social Security that doesn’t make sense:
Even if you haven’t had issues before, it’s worth taking a few preventive steps:
For retirees and disabled individuals, Social Security isn’t just a check—it’s stability, housing, medicine, and food.
An error like Audrey’s could have left her unable to pay basic bills.
That’s why it’s essential to speak up, stay informed, and know what to do when something feels off.
Government systems don’t always move quickly, but persistence—and advocacy—can make all the difference.
Read next: Could a SNAP benefits error cost your state millions? Here’s what taxpayers need to know
Have you ever spotted a mistake in your benefit letter? Did you need to file an appeal with Social Security? Share your experience in the comments—your story might help another GrayVine reader know what to do next!
The next, you receive a letter claiming your income has skyrocketed—and your benefits are being slashed.
That’s exactly what happened to one woman, who hadn’t worked in years but was suddenly accused of earning over $100,000.
The error nearly cut her only source of income down to just $163 a month.
Her story is a wake-up call for anyone who depends on Social Security to make ends meet.
Audrey Richardson fought back after a Social Security error nearly cut her monthly benefits to just $163. Image Source: YouTube / ABC11.
A shocking notice from Social Security
Audrey Richardson, 65, had been receiving Social Security benefits after years on disability and survivors’ programs.
But in 2024, she opened a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) claiming she’d earned $114,572 in reported income.
Because of that, her monthly check was being reduced to just $163. “I just busted out laughing,” she said.
“This is a joke, because I have not worked since 2019.”
But the stakes were no laughing matter.
Audrey lives alone in Raleigh, North Carolina, and her Social Security check is her only source of income.
Also read: One clerical error, total disaster—could Social Security erase you next?
A company she never worked for
Trying to fix the issue, Audrey called the SSA.
They gave her the name of the company that supposedly reported the income—but she’d never even heard of it.
She tracked the company down herself and spoke to their HR department.
Not only had they never paid anyone that amount, they confirmed Audrey had never worked there.
The company provided a formal letter backing her claim, which she sent to the SSA.
Still, it wasn’t enough to resolve the issue right away.
Also read: Social Security sends out wrong notices—did you get one, too?
Stuck in the system
Even with written proof in hand, Audrey was told she would need to file a formal appeal.
It was at that point she reached out to Diane Wilson, a local news troubleshooter known for helping seniors deal with complex bureaucracy.
With Diane’s help, the SSA finally reviewed the case.
The error was corrected and Audrey’s full benefits were restored.
“I am so grateful,” Audrey said, relieved to have her check back where it belongs.
Also read: Mistakenly declared dead? Social Security errors cause disruptions for some recipients
How could this happen?
Audrey’s case is still a mystery.
Was it a clerical mistake? A reporting error from the employer? Or could it have been identity theft?
The SSA processes millions of wage reports every year, and sometimes mistakes do happen.
In some cases, income is accidentally reported under the wrong Social Security number.
Other times, fraud or data entry errors cause red flags that can delay or reduce your benefits.
Also read: The $213,000 mistake: The crucial Social Security rule that cost this widow a fortune
What to do if this happens to you
If you receive a letter from Social Security that doesn’t make sense:
- Read it carefully. Check the dates, dollar amounts, and any employer listed.
- Call the SSA right away. Use the number on the letter or visit your local SSA office.
- Collect documentation. If an employer is named, contact them for a formal statement.
- File an appeal. You have the right to challenge any changes made to your benefits.
- Seek outside help. Local news troubleshooters, legal aid clinics, and senior advocacy groups can often escalate the issue.
Also read: Social Security cuts are leaving some Americans with half their usual benefits—here’s what’s going on
How to protect your benefits
Even if you haven’t had issues before, it’s worth taking a few preventive steps:
- Check your SSA earnings record every year at ssa.gov to make sure it's accurate.
- Protect your Social Security number—only share it when absolutely necessary.
- Watch for unexpected letters about benefit changes, especially if you haven’t worked recently.
- Report any signs of fraud to the SSA and the FTC at identitytheft.gov.
Also read: A simple oversight, a lifetime of consequences–How a simple error slashed this woman’s Social Security to just $14
Why errors like this matter
For retirees and disabled individuals, Social Security isn’t just a check—it’s stability, housing, medicine, and food.
An error like Audrey’s could have left her unable to pay basic bills.
That’s why it’s essential to speak up, stay informed, and know what to do when something feels off.
Government systems don’t always move quickly, but persistence—and advocacy—can make all the difference.
Read next: Could a SNAP benefits error cost your state millions? Here’s what taxpayers need to know
Have you ever spotted a mistake in your benefit letter? Did you need to file an appeal with Social Security? Share your experience in the comments—your story might help another GrayVine reader know what to do next!
