Overview

• Nicole Paulino, a mother of three from Maryland, discovered she was mistakenly declared dead when attempting to renew her driver’s license in November 2024.
• The error originated from a funeral home employee entering an incorrect Social Security number, which matched Paulino’s instead of the deceased individual’s.
• The mistake led to the cancellation of her health insurance, leaving her unable to access necessary medical care, including asthma inhalers, and causing financial strain due to mounting medical bills.
• Paulino also received a letter from the IRS labeling her a 'deceased taxpayer,' further complicating her ability to manage her affairs.
• The Social Security Administration corrected the error on January 14, 2025, acknowledging that while such mistakes are rare, approximately 10,000 similar cases occur annually across the U.S.