At 66 years old, most people expect to enjoy their retirement benefits. For James R. Klass, known as Jimmy, from Florida, that moment took an unexpected turn. After paying into the system for decades, Klass says he was shocked to be denied his Social Security retirement checks.
“I feel that they’re robbing me,” Klass told PEOPLE. “Here’s [a] person that’s been here 64 years, and I’ve paid [for it], you know what I mean?”
Why was James Klass denied social security benefits
Klass moved to the United States from Canada when he was just 2 years old. His mother was Canadian, while his father was an American born in New York. For more than six decades, Klass lived in Florida and never had a single issue regarding his citizenship.
But everything changed when he applied for Social Security retirement benefits. Instead of a first payment, Klass received a letter stating he had not proven he was in the U.S. legally.
- His application triggered questions about his citizenship status.
- The Social Security Administration said he did not have enough documentation.
- U.S. immigration law requires the American parent to live in the U.S. for at least 10 years before the child’s birth for automatic citizenship.
In Klass’ case, authorities claimed there was not enough evidence that his father met this requirement.
Recommended:
COLA forecast may push 2026 average Social Security check to $2,062
What is James Klass saying about his situation
For Klass, the denial feels like a betrayal. He points out that he has lived, worked, and contributed to the system just like any other American citizen.
“I’m overwhelmed very much so,” Klass said. “My anxiety level is through the roof. I’m just looking to get some [resolution].”
He explained that he was even accepted into the Marine Corps and served with the state police. The only documents he was ever asked for in those cases were his driver’s license and Social Security card.
“I don’t have the documents from the Marines, but I have the documents from the state police,” Klass said. “The only thing they ever requested was my driver’s license and my social security card, proof of citizenship, and proof of who I am.”
What steps has James klass taken to fight back
Klass has not given up. To try and secure his benefits, he has:
- Spent thousands of dollars hiring attorneys and a genealogist.
- Collected historical documents for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Created a GoFundMe page to cover legal and document fees.
On his fundraiser page, Klass wrote, “As I am getting older and not collecting what I am do it’s becoming a financial burden and before I lose my home I am looking for charitable assistance any help would be greatly appreciated.”
So far, he has raised more than $1,500 of his $10,000 goal.
Recommended:
Has the government responded to James Klass’ case
Klass says he has not received any direct response from the Social Security Administration. In a 2022 letter, USCIS claimed he had not provided enough evidence of his father’s residency before his birth.
In search of help, Klass contacted Senator Marco Rubio’s office. A genealogist later uncovered documents linking his father to the U.S. during the required time frame. Still, Klass is waiting for final confirmation.
For now, he has gone back to work just to stay afloat. He admits it has been an exhausting journey.
“I even said to them, ‘Well, if you’re not gonna pay me monthly, give me everything that I paid with interest, and we’ll call it a day,’” Klass recalled. “And they go, ‘Oh, we can’t do that, either.’ I said, ‘Well, what can you do?’”
Related article:
Latest inflation data suggests 2026 Social Security COLA could be higher than forecast
How can I get a replacement form SSA-1099/1042S, Social Security Benefit Statement?
