Schweiker v. Hansen

An SSA employee, Connelly, incorrectly told Hansen (plaintiff) she was ineligible for mother's insurance benefits, causing her not to file a written application that year, even though his statement conflicted with the agency's internal Claims Manual. Hansen filed and was approved the following year, then sought retroactive benefits from HHS (defendant) based on Connelly's bad advice; HHS denied retroactive benefits, but the Second Circuit reversed, holding HHS was estopped by Connelly's erroneous statement.