I had something similar happen to me.   The 'Great State of Alabama' tagged my first marriage as a death.  At some stage, Alabama's computers talked to SSA's. I got a call from SSA stating um, er... our records show you are dead.  I finally had to get Diane Feinstein's (CA Sr senator at the time...) office involved. I have a letter from SSA "all good now but we can't promise it won't happen again".

This is the cliff notes version of a two year process, and a 3" file I have on the mess.

So my suggestion is to try a Congressman/woman that would love a 'PR' story of helping out a little old lady. 

Keep us posted..