WEAAD 2021: Building Strong Support for Older Americans
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: February 21, 2023
On June 15, we come together again to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). We continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of older adults—especially during the pandemic. We remain committed to addressing challenges—and working together with our state and federal partners to break down barriers of injustice or inequality for older adults.
Over the past year, individuals and communities across the country stepped in to support those older adults most in need. We recognize that this outpouring of support also gave rise to individuals and entities looking to scam unsuspecting older adults and persons living with a disability. The members of the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) work together to stop scammers and fraudsters and prevent exploitation through education, and enforcement. The Social Security Administration is an important EJCC member and contributor.
The Social Security Administration—including the Office of the Inspector General—has experienced a rise in fraudulent phone calls and letters, including beneficiaries. These calls and letters threaten people with suspension of benefits—and even arrest. We’re pleased to join them in an awareness campaign to combat this government imposter scheme.
To learn more about these types of scams go to Social Security’s Scams page. You can learn more about identifying and reporting these scams on the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) website.
On June 9 at noon, ET, our National Center on Elder Abuse is sponsoring a webinar, Coming Back Strong after COVID-19: Federal Elder Justice Innovations and Resources. The webinar will feature presentations by me—and speakers from the Department of Justice, Social Security, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We will discuss tools and tips to enhance elder abuse outreach and response efforts—and strategies to spark community engagement. To register, click on this link.
On this 15th commemorative year of WEAAD, let’s focus on what we can do to stop abuse and neglect of older adults. Elder justice is everybody’s problem and we each have an important role to play. Please share this important resource with your family and friends—and post it on social media.
Social Security’s posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization or author.
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Tags: COVID-19, General Information, Office of the Inspector General, People Facing Barriers, scams
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Julie.
I would think that you guys would stop YOUR elder abuse!! You expect people to live on a tiny pittance while you live high on the hog. How about putting the money back into the social security that was borrowed and never paid back? Is that logical? Yes, yes it is. But I see that logic seems to be lost in our government these days. You can’t believe that SS $5-$10 a year raise keeps up with the cost of living. We have to pay bills. Food stamps of $70 a month? Seriously? So basically if you starve us out you won’t have to worry about the elderly any longer.
Tariq B.
I agree with you. when you ask them questions, they use FORM REPLY.
They should allot an advocate for senior citizens, like IRS. Us seniors are drownings in debt and nobody seems to care. We are not pegging for money, we wants our own money we put in.
Best
Bonita G.
I would love to see more affordable housing for seniors. Most apartments price us out within two year. I’m old and don’t have the energy nor funds to move every two yrs. I’d love to see susidized housing for seniors in the west end, where my support system resides in Virginia.
Linda
I am do not know why you cant give them a advocate to these issues as they seem so non respondive to what seems to be extreme stress, and the only recourse is telling then to keep trying, NOTHING hopeful at all or helpful to them, tuff luck guys,
Shame ful I think
BETTY G.
vonda, this is a FORM reply with the same answer to 2 people above! why can’t you give DECENT, SPECIFIC answers to these folks?
just very disappointed in the answers i see SS staff give to the posters.
Tariq B.
Exactly!
FORM reply.
I don’t think they have answers or ….
Thank u for your support.
Hope one day SS will change and become responsive for senior needs.
Best
Marilyn C.
I am 71 yrs old. You have my e-mail. Question,
My husband went to prison in 2014 and I was denied ANY benefits while he was incarcerated because Reno, NV office told me that I was not eligible because I had my own SSA money. His was more. Alot more… What is this all about. Sorry to complain so many yrs but he just passed August 2020 of dementia and I am receiving his benefits, No problem. My SSA was only like $800 a month and I could barely survive. Not fair..I could not afford Part B when he was incarcerated so when I could when he was released in 2017 SSA penalized me and now I have to pay 164 a month. I wrote to you people and still penalized me. PLease look at this.
My rent went up as of this month $80.00 and food stamps is a joke. Do you realize that all seniors ONLY receive $19.00 monthly for food and a family with Kids gets $600.00. Where to the seniors come into play here???
Jeanne M.
when you’re coming to play there that is the most repulsive thing I’ve ever heard of my life the seniors are who we learn from the seniors have gone there before us it is our duty to take care of them that’s ridiculous in sad
Tariq B.
I am 66 years old on SS. I applied for my son benefits on my SS. Its been 4 months and have not heard any thing. Every time I called, answer is still processing.
On SS web site it says it takes 30-60 days. Its been 4 months.
Please request SS to look into my case. We are low income SS recipient and waiting on additional benefits due to take care of a dependent.
Thanks
V.V.
Hi Tariq, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience with Social Security. Please continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor regarding your situation. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Tariq B.
Thanks for the reply.
I have done all this. U can never talk to supervisor. When u ask for them, agent will tell u. supervisor will not know any different.
They are not suffering, we are!
I think, SS needs to appoint an advocate to deal with senior issues who has problem with SS.
It will be nice to provide specific info, who to talk to ( name of supervisor ) via email
Thanks again
Miguel A.
$20050 $450
McDuffy R.
I have worked my whole entire life and paid into the SYSTEM, the system have failed me at the age of 65 yr. I applied for my Social Security in January 1, 2021. And i have two phone interview. This is the second time the system have failed me, I had lost one home and look like I’M about to lose my place where I’M Staying in today. Because i can’t pay my rent LAST month i had to use my 401K to catch up my rent I thought maybe i would be drawing my Social Security checks by now but no results.
THE ONLY THING I HAVE BEEN DOING IS FILLING OUT PAPERWORK TRYING TO GET HELP, BUTCAN’T GET HELP EVERY TIME I ASK THE GOVERNMENG FOR HELP CAN’T GET HELP. AND ALSO I APPLIED FOR FOOD STAMP PROGRAM IN APRIL I GIVE THEM ALL MY PAPERWORK AND WAS HONEST WITH EVERYTHING. SO YOU TELL ME WHAT DO I SUPPOSED TO DO !!!!!!!!!
V.V.
Hi McDuffy, we are sorry to hear about your experience with Social Security. Please continue to work with your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.