Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Paralegal, now homeless woman proves Social Security owes her $100K

By: Associated Press//August 23, 2016//

Paralegal, now homeless woman proves Social Security owes her $100K

By: Associated Press//August 23, 2016//

Listen to this article
In this Aug. 10, 2016 photo, homeless woman Wanda Witter waits at her sleeping spot outside the Au Bon Pain on 13th and G Street in Washington, DC Witter, who is 80 years old, was recently attacked at the location suffering a black eye and two stitches. For 20 years she's carried suitcases full of paperwork that she says proves that Social Security owes her $93,000. A lawyer is working with her to get her money back. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post via AP)
Paralegal Wanda Witter waits at her sleeping spot outside the Au Bon Pain in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 10. Witter, 80, received back Social Security payments on Tuesday in the amount of $99,999.  (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — For years, Wanda Witter has lived on the streets in Washington, D.C., trying to persuade officials that Social Security owes her more than $100,000. For years, the 80-year-old woman says people dismissed her as crazy.

But finally someone listened — and on Tuesday she received a $99,999 payout, The Washington Post reported.

Witter moved to the District of Columbia in 1999 to seek work after losing her job as a machinist in New York years earlier, according to The Post.

But even though Witter had earned a paralegal certificate to prepare for a new career, she remained jobless. In 2006 she decided to draw Social Security benefits. However, the monthly checks varied wildly, from $900 to $300. Believing the checks were wrong, Witter didn’t cash them and sought help.

“If I just cashed them, who would believe me that they were wrong?” Witter said.

She remained homeless, bedding down on the concrete in a sleeping bag. She kept a tower of three suitcases, containing her Social Security paperwork, next to her.

In 2015 social worker Julie Turner listened. Instead of dismissing Witter as crazy, Turner patiently waded through her documents and verified her story.

“She had all the paperwork there, neatly organized, in order. She was right all along. They did owe her all that money,” Turner said.

Turner took Witter to attorney Daniela de la Piedra, who took on her case. In June, a Social Security official finally acknowledged Witter’s case and wrote her a $999 check — the most that could be written on the spot. Last week, Witter received her first full payment — $1,464.

Witter received a $99,999 Social Security deposit in her bank account on Tuesday.

On Aug. 16, Witter moved into a studio apartment on Capitol Hill.

Social Security officials declined to comment.

In this Aug. 10, 2016 photo, with suitcases in arms reach, homeless woman Wanda Witter beds down in her sleeping spot outside the Au Bon Pain on 13th and G Street in Washington, DC Witter, who is 80 years old, was recently attacked at the location suffering a black eye and two stitches. For 20 years she's carried suitcases full of paperwork that she says proves that Social Security owes her $93,000. A lawyer is working with her to get her money back. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post via AP)
With suitcases in arms’ reach, Wanda Witter sleeps on the streets on Aug. 10 in Washington, D.C. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post via AP)

 

Polls

Should Steven Avery be granted a new evidentiary hearing?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Legal News

See All Legal News

WLJ People

Sea all WLJ People

Opinion Digests