Attorneys and advocacy groups are applauding recent positive changes made by the Social Security Administration years after Eastern Kentucky attorney Eric Conn defrauded the government in one of the largest Social Security fraud scandals in history. The changes include no longer demanding or collecting overpayments from former clients of Conn and potentially bypassing hearings for some cases.
The scheme orchestrated by Conn between 2004 and 2017 involved submitting falsified medical documents to fraudulently obtain disability benefits totaling over $550 million on behalf of thousands of clients, without their knowledge. Many of Conn’s victims, who faced distress and lost benefits due to guilt by association, are now receiving relief from the SSA.
The advocacy firm AppalReD Legal Aid and attorney Ned Pillersdorf are optimistic about the policy changes, which impact about 1,000 clients who may no longer need a hearing. However, the SSA is not changing policies for cases that have already had a hearing.
The SSA will also stop collecting overpayments, refund money already collected, and provide details on refunds for affected individuals. The agency will also halt collection activity on cases involving deceased beneficiaries. The process is expected to take several months, and the SSA is urging potentially affected individuals to update their contact information to receive notifications faster.
The changes come after Conn pleaded guilty to several charges and began serving a 27-year sentence. The scheme was exposed before all fraudulent payments were made, but many clients faced a long redetermination process of their eligibility. Pro bono attorneys from across Kentucky and the nation have volunteered to help victims of the fraud.
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