Social Security checks
didn’t get to isles

If you didn't receive the payment,
let the national office know,
a spokesman in Hawaii advises

By Susan Kreifels
Star-Bulletin

Retiree Jerry Murphy and many others in Hawaii have waited three days for late social security checks. Murphy has spent a lot of time hanging on a phone to get an answer, but so far with no success.

"This is a serious matter," Murphy said yesterday. "People who live from paycheck to paycheck ought to get a better explanation."

Social Security officials here also are looking for answers and tracking them down on the mainland.

Hawaii Social Security spokesman Tim Walsh couldn't estimate the number but said "lots" of the 156,000 recipients in the state have not received their checks.

Walsh said, however, that all checks that made it to Hawaii post offices were delivered. Usually they are delivered on the third day of the month.

"We don't know the scope, but we know it's a lot," Walsh said. "Thirty (post office) facilities around the islands have reported not receiving checks. Many people have called."

If officials determine there is a problem, they will re-issue checks immediately.

Walsh said delivery would take seven to 10 days. "We're taking this very seriously," he said.

People who have not received checks should call the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213. Walsh also suggested that people arrange direct bank deposits to avoid mail delays.

If checks don't arrive on time, recipients can file for emergency funds, but it takes a week or longer to receive them, Walsh said.

Regarding long phone waits, Walsh said the Social Security line has "enormous" capacity but gets 70 million calls a year. "Patience is the biggest factor," Walsh said.