The former clients of Eric C. Conn may get their Social Security benefits back after years of going without them. Hundreds of people had their monthly benefits stripped after Conn was discovered orchestrating a massive fraud scheme. Conn was convicted in 2018 of bribing doctors to falsify medical records and a judge to approve the benefits.
Now, volunteer lawyers have reached an agreement with the Social Security Administration to help the victims of the fallout from that crime.
Prestonsburg Attorney Ned Pillersdorf said getting benefits reinstated is straightforward.
“The way its going to play is AppleRed legal aid here in Prestonsburg, they've been part of the great volunteer legal team. They'll basically submit a form. And if they requested a new hearing, the benefits are reinstated now,” said Pillersdorf.
Pillersdorf explained that complicating the matter is that many of these 500 former clients aren’t aware that this work has been going on.
“I think that's an especially big problem along the Pike County, West Virginia, Virginia border. These people simply don't know if this is going on. And I know that I get an occasional phone call. And when I tell the clients oh, by the way, we follow the class action on your behalf. I know you lost your benefits six years ago, they have no idea what I'm talking about,” said Pillersdorf.
Under the agreement, monthly payments will resume immediately after a new hearing is requested. If people are successful in their new hearing, the Social Security Administration will provide back pay for people for the years they did not receive benefits.
Pillersdorf said those who do not win their new hearing will be made to pay back the reinstated benefits they received.
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