A Social Security recipient from Oklahoma City, Romaine Fantroy, has expressed frustration after struggling to access her benefits, which she claims have left her unable to afford basic necessities.
Fantroy, who receives monthly payments, encountered issues in October when her $943 payment was not loaded onto her Direct Express card, a payment method designed for federal benefits without the need for a traditional bank account.
After visiting the Social Security office, Fantroy was advised to abandon the card and open a checking account. However, after following these instructions, she claims she received only $93 instead of the full amount. The issue continued into November, and it wasn’t until she visited the office again that she was able to receive her payment.
Now, as December progresses, Fantroy continues to face difficulties in receiving the financial support she depends on. “It’s December 10th, I can’t eat, I can’t clean, I can’t do laundry,” she told NBC affiliate KFOR, explaining the toll the issue has taken on her daily life.
Fantroy, visibly distressed, noted that her routine had been completely disrupted and added that she can’t even afford a haircut until she receives the necessary payout.
Fantroy is not alone in her frustrations. Other Social Security recipients have also reported problems with their payments. One anonymous individual shared that he is owed $1,800, but each time he attempts to resolve the issue, he is left on hold for hours.
Direct Express, the financial services company that manages the payment cards, has recently come under scrutiny.
On Friday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit against the company, accusing it of failing to answer customer calls and charging illegal ATM fees. The lawsuit also claims that the company refused service to elderly consumers without bank accounts.
Comerica, the company behind Direct Express, has denied the allegations, stating that the CFPB disregarded evidence in its investigation. Comerica has filed its own lawsuit against the CFPB, arguing that the bureau’s actions amounted to “regulatory overreach.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to both the Social Security Administration and Comerica for comment, but as of now, no response has been received.
