Consumer complaint received 2018-10-09
Company: Nelnet, Inc.
State: FL
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan
Sub-issue: Problem lowering your monthly payments

Complaint:
I was awarded Social Security XXXX beginning XX/XX/XXXX. My letter said that I would have a medical review in 3 years. I began a self-sufficiency program ( PASS ) through Social Security in XX/XX/XXXX. I got some advice for filling out the PASS application from a person through the Ticket to Work program. In XX/XX/XXXX I got a letter from Social Security asking if I was or had been in the Ticket to Work program. I sent it back. I think that's the reason why I didn't have a medical review at that time. 

I still haven't been able to work for pay part-time or full time. I've never been given another medical review or been informed of when I might have one. 

I believe Nelnet has all my student loans now. There were some with XXXX but they've been transferred to Nelnet. In XX/XX/XXXX I requested and received a XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX discharge application from Nelnet. I also got a copy of my XXXX, which had a " next medical review '' date of XX/XX/XXXX, and a cycle of re-exam cycle of 3+ years. I sent this to Nelnet. 

I spoke to Social Security on the phone to try to get more information about when my next medical review would be, since we were already in XXXX and the XXXX said my next review would be in XX/XX/XXXX. I was told that they are way behind in scheduling the medical reviews. I gave this information to XXXX and they said I needed to have documentation from a doctor that I am totally and permanently XXXX. I really didn't know who to ask about this. I have a new primary doctor this year. I have mental health XXXX as well as physical XXXX but I don't have obvious mobility XXXX. I've never seen a psychiatrist before. It just seemed difficult to get the documentation with no doctor who knew me. Also I dropped the idea of applying for the discharge because I was concerned that the discharge would be considered taxable income by the IRS. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I turned XXXX and am no longer on XXXX but am now on Social Security XXXX benefits. I was looking online for tips for asking a doctor for documentation and I came upon a CFPB article about Options for XXXX student loan borrowers. I saw this section in the article : " Social Security award letter. If you receive Social Security XXXX insurance ( XXXX  ), you can prove your XXXX using your SSA award letter. The SSA letter must indicate that your next scheduled XXXX review will be within five to seven years of your most recent XXXX determination. If you previously received Social Security XXXX benefits but now receive retirement benefits, or your benefits notice does not indicate when your next XXXX review will occur, you can prove your XXXX by submitting a copy of your XXXX. You can request a copy of your XXXX  from your local XXXX XXXX XXXX office. You can also call XXXX and request to be mailed a copy of your XXXX. '' I called Nelnet and told them about this article from consumerfinance.gov but they are still saying I need the Physician Certification. I really don't like my new primary doctor and am looking for another XXXX. I now have XXXX XXXX and have been seeing a XXXX, but he really only knows about my XXXX problems. 

If the information in the consumerfinance.gov article on options for student loan borrowers is correct, it appears that I shouldn't have to get the physician 's certification, but Nelnet insists that if I don't have a medical review date of 5 years or 7 years, then the BPQY is not sufficient. If they are wrong or lacking proper training, I need to file this complaint. Also, since I am insolvent, it is my understanding that I would not be taxed on any XXXX discharge. 

I'm attaching a copy of the XXXX report I received earlier in XXXX. I have not requested a copy more recently than that.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation