Unexpected Windfall
On our recent bank statement, I noticed a significant deposit from the SSA dated August 6. This deposit turned out to be an adjustment due to an error where my husband had been underpaid since his retirement in December 2019. I do recall the events of 2020 when we did experience a glitch with SSA. During the pandemic, the situation escalated to the point where the SSA offices here were shut down completely. At one point, they were not even answering their phones. So, after reviewing his mail, I found the SSA notice that detailed this oversight. The August 6th payment was an extra payment for back benefits. We'll be getting another one on the 20th of August. Starting in September, he will receive the adjusted amount, which includes another deposit, and the last deposit scheduled for October. The error was identified in 2023, and the credits were applied without any actual payouts. So it just sat...money owed to my husband. Additionally, this adjustment incorporates cost-of-living adjustments for those years as well. My husband is going down to talk SSA in person this afternoon.
First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt praise and gratitude to God, acknowledging Him and Him alone for all that has transpired. We were completely taken by surprise; this was beyond anything we could have anticipated, or even imagined. I'm thankful the error was found. I’m happy that we can bolster our savings which is important to me.
Was this a Miracle?
I was thinking about this - Although it does not align with the conventional notion of a miracle - typically seen as a supernatural occurrence that transcends the boundaries of natural laws - I embrace it as a blessing, recognizing that He really does operate within our lives, always watching over and working on our behalf. Even in moments when we may be oblivious to injustices and mistakes, because we sure were, He is faithful to provide for us in His perfect timing. With each step we take, we can find comfort in the knowledge that He is always by our side and steadfastly watching over us.
He's got our back!
I call it all AMAZING because we have an AMAZING GOD.
My son had all their windows replaced in their home yesterday. This is Harry, who wasn't too pleased, being locked in the back room all day.
Ed on the left and Harry on the right.
They love boxes.
Aren't they cuties? I've had two ginger kitties in my life. They have the most adorable expressions and tend to be very comical.
Sad to say, my next-door neighbor's kitty, Sully, has not returned. How heartbreaking, and one reason I do not let my cat out. No way, no how is she getting past me.
Can you believe we’re already halfway through August? Time really flies! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming the summer.
We really must cherish these days and live with intention and purpose, embodying Christ in our actions. Our goal is to positively impact those who do not know Jesus - by sharing the transformative truth of the Gospel and being a light in a dark world. Let's do it!
Until Next Time,
Debby
That is great that your husband is getting what is owed to him! The kitties are cute!
ReplyDeleteFinally. The more I think of it, only the Government can get away with this type of incompetence. In the private sector, they would go out of business.
Deleteyaaay, for this unexpected surprise your husband will be getting. So good of you to give gratitude to God alone, Debby. He always makes things right again. This was, indeed, a blessing. Sorry to hear Sully has not returned to his family. It's been warm this week, but we got a little wind today. Did you?
ReplyDelete~Sheri
No wind here. Cooled down to 98. 🥵
DeleteWhat wonderful news about the money! ALL things are from God, or allowed to happen by God. Ed & Harry are adorable! Are they litter mates? Our Simba was a ginger.
ReplyDeleteNo, Ed was their first and then a couple years later they got Harry. They wanted them to match. Ed has the short hair and Harry is long haired.
DeleteThat is good news indeed!!
ReplyDeleteHarry looks huge in that one picture.
Harry is a big cat.
DeleteMy mom has a calico cat that will sit or get into any box, bag or turkey roasting pan that you set down. I tried the thing with putting a tape square on the floor to see if she would sit in it but she just sniffed around it. She is an indoor cat but gets out now and again because my mom with her dementia doesnt always notice. We have both a air tag collar and a scan tag that will show her picture and a phone number to call if she ever gets lost. So far once she gets outside she has never really wandered off the property. Mom's house is in the country on a dirt road so traffic is not a worry. Normally she is waiting at the door or gets under the deck if she is out long. Standing at the back door and rattling the box of treats has her running right back into the house.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in San Mateo it was populated and very urban. My cats were both inside and out and never had an issue. Here, neighbors keep losing cats to coyotes or foxes and even mountain lions. Who knew it would be safer in the city for cats.
DeleteI always wonder why they don't pay interest on the money they make a mistake with. Pretty sure all government monies for things like this are held in an interest bearing account. Oh well, thank heavens your Hubby gets what was owed to him.
ReplyDeleteLove the cats. So cute. Ours loved bags rather than boxes.
God bless.
I was thinking about that as well - no interest to us. I also think it’s crazy to be happy because you’re finally getting your own money. 💰 and to think, the can get away with it.
DeleteThat was an amazing blessing indeed!
ReplyDeleteLove the cat pictures. We've had several ginger kitties too and loved their personalities.
They are cute.
DeleteI think the unexpected windfall can definitely be called a miracle!
ReplyDeleteWe’ll take it either way.
DeleteOh, Debby, how I can identify with that windfall story concerning social security! I taught for years in a county in Georgia where we could pay into a retirement fund instead of social security. Mind you, I'd had plenty of jobs before I even entered teaching where I'd paid into the SSA system. Finally, my back pay arrived and my income from social security each month has doubled! I would call that a miracle, too! Our God is so good, all the time.
ReplyDeleteOh, and the kitty photos made me smile. I do miss the kitties we used to have. Blessings always!
It's good that your husband is receiving what's owed - a nice surprise and a bonus, even though he's entitled to it.
ReplyDeletePretty cats. I had a ginger tom when I was a girl. He was called Ginger! Inspirational! 🐈
It’s hard to trust a government institution that makes such a huge error and then once they found the error, they did nothing from April 2023 until the present. That really infuriates me.
DeleteWell, congratulations on your unexpected windfall. That happened to me a few years ago although it was not very much. Still, I was glad they fixed it! Funny you mentioned about your son getting new windows and his cat My son also was getting new windows in his house last week and his cat, Frank, was not too happy to be locked up! He howled the time, every day until they were done!
ReplyDeleteThat is funny about our sons getting new windows and Frank the cat - not too happy. 😊
DeleteThis is such wonderful news, I'm so happy for you and your husband. What a great and unexpected blessing. It's truly amazing how things like that can happen when you least expect them. It sounds like a huge relief to have that sorted out. I love your perspective on seeing it as a blessing and not just an accident. It really makes you think about how things work out in the end. And oh my goodness, your son's cats are so adorable. I'm a big fan of ginger cats too, they have such unique personalities. I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbor's cat though, that is just heartbreaking. I completely understand why you keep your own cat indoors. Do you have any plans for what you'll do with your windfall.
ReplyDeleteIt was either 2020 or 2021 we had a trip to Israel set and given the pandemic it was cancelled. So we bought a car instead. It will go back into our Israel fund.
DeleteWoo-hoo on that unexpected blessing! Like my mother-in-law used to say, spend it in go health. Your grand-kitties are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThey’re definitely characters!
DeleteOh wow, so great to get back what was owed you for such a long time. The incompetence of some of our Government places is truly mind boggling.
ReplyDeleteI do hope this will boost your Israel fund so you can go soon.
We were there in 2000. It was thrilling to see and walk where Jesus walked. I have never regretted that money being spent.
I feel another blog post coming on sometime soon ... (:0)
Stay cool
Sue
We had our trip planned in 2020. lol. So we bought a new car instead! Need to get it replenished once again.
DeleteYou are so right in saying we are to embody Christ in our actions. How we live is a sermon in itself, and our attitudes and words should stem out of that.
ReplyDeleteI am not really a 'cat' person, but these two look very sweet.
They are sweeties.
DeleteI simply call it a God Wink.
ReplyDeleteThat’s cute!
DeleteIt's good when things like this happen
ReplyDeleteYes very good.
DeleteHi Debby. Adorable kitties. Thanks so much for visiting Writing Straight from the Heart and commenting, too. You are a dear blog friend. Susan
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. You are a dear blog friend as well.
DeleteCongratulations on your windfall. Praise the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused ... those two in the cardboard box don't look like mushrooms to me. They look like cats. Over here mushrooms are much smaller and look different!
God bless.
Okay that was pretty funny Victor. Yeah those are catrooms or mushcats. We speak differently over here!
DeleteWe had a ginger cat named Tanner. He was the most friendliest kitty I ever had. So glad of your windfall. Miracle maybe that it came at a time you needed it. I always say there is a reason for everything and god only gives you what you can handle. Any way kudos on you for getting the monies your hubby deserved all along. Janice
ReplyDeleteWe’re fine but perhaps the Lord knows something down the road that we’ll be needing it.
DeleteThat is great about the SS. Wishing you a lovely Saturday my friend.
ReplyDeleteWe’ll see tomorrow
Deleteoh my goodness! yes it is a true blessing. so happy for you it was found and deposited..savings are a real blessing and if we did not have ours we would be up the creek without a paddle at this time... I love ginger cats and your sons are so handsome
ReplyDeleteI’m a saver more than a spender so having a little breathing room always pleases me
DeleteThat is very good news. The cats are so cute. Love them sitting in the box. Yes, time is going by so fast. However, I am waiting for some tests to be done and that is moving too slow. : (
ReplyDeleteWaiting for important medical tests that forever it seems.
DeleteI just came back here after reading today's post about the Social Security. I am behind in reading, so didn't know about this. I pray everything goes well when you talk to them about this. I pray it all works out in your favor. It's kine of like playing Monopoly, when they say "there is a bank error in your favor, collect $200." That sounded like a lot then! Praying all is well. I love the pictures of the kitties. As you know, I have our porch kitty, Sunshine, who is a Ginger, and Blackie, who is a black cat. Sunshine is so full of character and charm. I could watch him all day. Blackie is cute in his own way, but he isn't as photogenic as Sunshine. It's harder to see his expressions, but I love watching both of them. I'm thankful our little area seems to be safe enough for them to stay outdoors. No sign of coyotes here, but yes, I know what a danger they are to cats. Our kitties are pretty content with being able to watch the birds from the back porch and go hunt around the woods and pond as they wish. So far so good. Take care, and I pray all goes well tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHa ha I just wrote you on your blog.
Delete