Guy Grezet, a resident of Saint-Paul-lès-Dax, aged 71, was declared dead by mistake. A mistake by social security, but it is now up to him to prove that he is alive and well. With his wife, he must increase the number of administrative procedures.
Company
From daily life to major issues, discover the subjects that make up local society, such as justice, education, health and family.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the “Society” newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
Faced with a big blue file, the Grezet couple no longer seem to be surprised by anything. The wording and content of the letters they have received since December 15 show the extent of the grotesque situation into which they have been plunged, despite themselves.
“They put “Grezet family“, it's as if I were a widow…” notes Danielle with a sad little smile, her eyes fixed on yet another letter. The situation is not ordinary and since the announcement of his death, Guy Grezet has been somewhat upset. Like his widow, moreover.
The story begins at the beginning of December, when the retiree encounters a problem with his vital card at the pharmacy. “Your card no longer works, is no longer valid, or has expired“. The septuagenarian then decides to go to the Primary Health Insurance Fund. This is where his interlocutor will make a strange revelation to him. While trying to get into her file, she gives him a strange look and blurts out: “You are deceased, sir!“
There, the retiree admits to trying to catch his breath and, with a smile, feels his arm, indicating “touch me, I’m alive! I’m here!” For his wife, it is also a shock.
We were stunned! We said to ourselves: are we dreaming? What's going on?
Danielle GrezetWife of the “deceased”
They wonder about the cause of this fatal error, fortunately momentarily for the person concerned. His wife assures: “we provided nothing, no papers. How is this possible?“The news is hard to take.”We already had to accept this sentence!“, Danielle breathes, still moved just thinking about it. “And then we say to ourselves, what should we do now? Moving forward”, she summarizes.
This is why Guy Grezet seems relieved to have today this document which he holds before his eyes and which he reads and rereads. This is his identity, his date of birth, his address… A “Certificate of Life” drawn up at the town hall.
So, I'm in my period… Let's say: I'm alive!
Guy GrezetDeclared dead by mistake
The death certificate was issued at the town hall by presenting yourself directly with your identity card.
•
© France 3 Aquitaine
The story might make you smile, but the consequences of this death on paper are very real. By consulting their bank account, the couple noticed that Guy's pension had not been paid. According to the administration, Guy's death dates back to July 2023. However, he continued to receive his pension for almost a year and three months after his supposed death. Except for last month.
He must then justify everything in order to be able to restore his file and be able to receive his due for the month of November and the months to come. An anxiety-provoking subject for the couple who faces numerous more or less abstruse letters. Concerning his health reimbursements, we tell him, for example, that “lthe date of the benefit is after the date of death”. They had to be persistent on the phone so that agents could help them with these tedious procedures.
“We don’t understand what happened. It’s anger that lies behindtestifies Guy. When it's all over, we'll have to forget.” hopes Danielle, visibly affected by this deadly episode. She wishes that”doesn't happen to others, because it's not easy to live with“.
For its part, the Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM) of Landes claims to do everything possible to regularize the situation as quickly as possible. And thus allow Guy and his wife to peacefully enjoy their retirement.
