Overpayments overturned

Brian Capra, a clients’ rights advocate for consumers at Westside Regional Center (WRC), has succeeded in getting two overpayments waived. Social Security waived $10,000, and WRC waived $12,000.

Fugitive label led to overpayment

Ian L, who has autism, got notice of a $10,000 overpayment because the court considered him a fugitive. While he was on summary probation after an incident with the police, Ian L and his independent living skills worker did not follow up with his probation officer. Then Ian L did not appear in court when a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Marcy Gladson, Capra’s supervisor, wrote to the judge explaining Ian L’s situation. Her letter convinced the judge to nullify the fugitive order supporting the overpayment. Capra followed up with Social Security – filing paperwork, making phone calls and twisting arms. Ian L was a happy man when he learned that Social Security had waived the overpayment.

Parent vendor paid cash

The $12,000 overpayment from WRC arose because a parent vendor was paying a respite provider in cash. As a result of Capra’s opinion letter:

• WRC’s director overturned the accounting department’s decision and forgave the $12,000 overpayment;

• WRC saw that it needed to give parents and service coordinators more guidance in record keeping;

• The service coordinator explained to the parent her duties to keep better payment records; and

• The parent began paying her provider by check.