A Dallas woman will continue to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) following a FOX 4 report that highlighted her struggles with the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding her citizenship status. Ramona Rakestraw, 59, who has been battling cancer and kidney disease, faced the abrupt suspension of her benefits amid claims that she was not a legal resident of the United States, despite being a lifelong citizen.
Rakestraw had her benefits suspended in October, leaving her distressed and confused. She has lived in the U.S. her entire life, having been born in Dallas County in 1966 and never having traveled outside the country. The cessation of her SSI payments was particularly alarming, as she has depended on this support as her sole income during her serious health challenges.
After the suspension of her benefits, Rakestraw received a notification from the SSA stating, “We cannot pay you benefits because you are not lawfully present in the U.S.” This message contradicted her lifelong residency and citizenship status.
Fortunately, following the coverage by FOX 4, Rakestraw received two calls from the Social Security office the very next day, during which officials apologized for the interruption in her benefits. They confirmed that her payment for the current month would be processed.
However, the specific reasons behind the initial pause in her benefits remain unclear, and the SSA has stated that it cannot disclose details about individual cases due to privacy regulations.
