SE Kentucky News

U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) has expressed his approval of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) decision to provide additional relief to former clients and victims of attorney Eric C. Conn. SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley informed Congressman Rogers that Conn’s former clients will not be required to repay the government for wrongfully assessed overpayments, and those who have already made payments will be refunded.

“The federal government has ripped up an unfair social security bill for hundreds of eastern Kentuckians! This is long-overdue news for Conn’s victims who were awarded money, and then billed to pay it back with no due process. This is a good step towards justice for our people,” said Congressman Rogers, representing southern and eastern Kentucky where Conn’s former clients reside. “I have been demanding justice and action from the Social Security Administration since this fiasco began more than seven years ago. While some legal relief has been provided over the years, this clear bill certainly brings a breath of relief for hundreds of families.”

Rogers has consistently urged the SSA to improve its treatment of Conn’s former clients, most recently through a letter to Commissioner O’Malley earlier this year. During his call with Rogers, O’Malley apologized for the delayed resolution.

“I’m sorry it took us, as an agency, so long to catch up with the equities of this situation. The whole system was traumatized by the scale of this event. We will not be putting anybody in jeopardy of being assessed an overpayment, and those that were already assessed one, we’re going to waive those and refund those who might have paid a little bit on it,” said O’Malley.

O’Malley confirmed that ongoing disability cases would focus on present medical status rather than requiring proof of previous disability.

Congressman Rogers also succeeded in pushing SSA to restore all benefits during the lengthy redetermination process for Conn’s victims, ensuring their paychecks were not unjustly halted.

“I also want to applaud the pro bono attorneys in Eastern Kentucky who have donated countless hours and resources to provide legal representation for hundreds of victims in this case who otherwise could not afford to fight this battle on their own,” added Congressman Rogers.

For further information about Congressman Rogers' work both in Washington and Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.