A local single mother struggling with health issues waited years to qualify for disability, only to have her lump sum benefits stolen.
Without that lifeline, her family had to move out of their home.
Struggling to keep herself and her three kids afloat, she turned to Nina Pineda and 7 On Your Side for help.
“My health started going downhill, really fast. I can’t get around that well anymore. I have a mobile cane. Sometimes I use a roller walker. I have spinal issues, so I can’t work anymore.”
Kimberly Mays has always worked to take care of her twin boys and her daughter. But in 2019, her life took a drastic turn.
Just as the world went into COVID lockdown, Kimberly applied for disability benefits — but it was no easy battle.
After years of proving her illness, she finally was approved to receive a lump sum payment through direct deposit.
“Why did you not want it to come in the mail?” Nina asked Kimberly.
“Because it’s a large check. $66,000. It’s literally four years worth of backpay,” Kimberly explained. “They mailed it anyway.”
Which is exactly how her check was stolen.
“It’s not fair. And I have a whole bunch of health issues. And that money was supposed to help me and my children,”
Kimberly said.
Without the funds for her family, they were forced to move into a more affordable apartment.
It wasn’t even furnished the first time Nina met the family.
“My sons just turned 18. They’re twins and we have nothing,” Kimberly said.
After a tough year of trying to keep up with her health and provide for her kids, she finally decided to call us.
“I saw a few stories that you’ve done recently. You sat there, you listened to them, you showed empathy. And I’m sorry, I’m tired of not being listened to,” she said.
7 On Your Side contacted the social security administration, which said they turned Kimberly’s case over to the U.S. Treasury. The Treasury Department apologized for the delay and finally deposited the money into Kimberly’s account directly.
“I am so grateful to you and your staff and the whole Channel 7. I finally got my back pay,” Kimberly said.
With $66,082, a fresh start; beginning with beds, a couch, and decorations for their new home.
“Thank you very much. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart,” Kimberly said.
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