Initially we visited the Lake Mary branch in my area & we recvd accurate info, background info, benefits & services info, & clear instructions we didn't know about prior to our visit.
Because of my Sisters address, this fed/state agency set up an appt for the branch in her area.
We had to visit the Winter Haven office after my sister died. I had to sign her 5 kids up for survivor benefits & disibility benefits.
We visited the office 12 times in 2- mo. Each time we had to wait in 2-dif lines because we were told the staffers cd only handle 1-type of benefit at a time, not all staffers were trained to handle more than 1-type of service (SSI & SSDI), the case was too complex for the staffers, they were short staffed, staffers were in training, & they're not replacing the retirees.
We were perplexed because nothing happened for 2-mo. Ea. time we arrived a new person handled the matter.
Granted we md 2- mistakes...declaring benefits too early for a child turning 18 in the latter part of the mo. & my late sister's child inherited her cell phone & missed important calls.
However, the staff misfiled the kids info because of a name error, combined or crossed the names of the kids, canceled applications, didn't assign survivor benefits until the 12th visit, & mixed up the benefits info bet parent & child.
After the 10th visit we decided to go bk to the Lake Mary office. They refused to get involved in the mess & I don't blame them. They were kind enough to give us the corrective measures.
We went bk to WH office & tried to provide them w/the correctve steps provided by LM office.
The female supervisor tried to shun us, yelled at us, tried to humilate us, belittled us, intimidate us, tried to divide us, & tried to silence us all to cover up 6-major errors...in a very public fashion in a crowded space filled w/people.
The female supervisor even went so far as to try to blame the Lake Mary office for helping us & telling us how to fix the prob...during this most dif time....the death of a parent & sister.
We were in that chair for 3 hrs & rather than spending valuable time providing service to the hoards of people inside, those standing in line outside, or helping us fix the prob, the supervisor got on the phone to the Lk Mary office, with a mission, to get the guy who helped us with their mistakes fired.
She stated, "He wasn't suppose to tell you all that info. He wasnt suppose to show you anything."
She chastised & interrogated us like we were children. "I want to know who gave you all this info. What did he look like? What was his name? Who told you we md mistakes? Did he have a beard? What color hair did he have? Did he have an accent?"
We even showed them physical evidence of their errors. The supervisor stated, "Those are just small things. Not real big mistakes." However, the supervisor had no prob exacerbating the slightest error on our part.
The supervisor stated, "You shd have contacted the office. You shd have replied to the letter. You shd have ans the phone." Granted...we had hosp vigil & burial arrangements to handle 1st.
She went on nonstop in front of all those people...."We dont like the way you present yourself. You talk too fast for us. Why are you here any way? We don't want to hear you talk. Move out of that seat. You're sitting straight in front of us. We don't want to talk to you. We'll deal with the kids not you. How are they suppose to learn?"
I replied, "I am their aunt, their late mother's sister, their advocate & they are learning thru apprenticeship." Both the rep & supervisor md sure I got their msg ea. roled their eyes at me right in front of all present.
I was so shocked, I tell you, I almost got on a plane....to Woodlawn, MD with all my paperwork, death certificate, & the 5 kids. read more
