If you receive an overpayment notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA), it means you were paid more benefits than you were eligible to receive. While this can be stressful, you have several options to address the situation. You can choose to repay the overpayment, appeal the decision, or request a waiver based on your financial situation.
Understanding your overpayment notice
Your overpayment notice will include important details, such as:
- The amount you were overpaid
- The reason for the overpayment
- Your options for repayment
- Your rights to appeal or request a waiver
Once you receive the notice, it’s important to act promptly to avoid further complications.
Option 1: Repay the overpayment
If you agree with the overpayment and want to settle the debt, you have multiple repayment options:
- If you are currently receiving benefits, you can have the overpayment deducted from your monthly payments until the debt is fully repaid.
- If you are not currently receiving benefits, you can make a payment using Pay.gov, your bank’s online bill pay service, or by sending a check, money order, or credit card payment.
- Flexible repayment plans are available, allowing payments as low as $10 per month if you cannot afford a lump-sum repayment.
Option 2: Appeal the overpayment decision
If you believe the overpayment is incorrect or that you were not actually overpaid, you have the right to appeal. To do this, you can:
- Submit a Request for Reconsideration (Form SSA-561) online or in person at your local Social Security office.
- Provide any supporting documents or evidence that prove you were not overpaid or that the overpayment amount is incorrect.
It’s important to file your appeal as soon as possible, as delays could result in automatic deductions from your benefits.
Option 3: Request a waiver
If you believe you were not at fault for the overpayment and cannot afford to repay it, you can request a waiver. To qualify, you must show that:
- The overpayment was not your fault.
- Repaying it would create financial hardship.
- It would be unfair to require repayment in your situation.
To request a waiver, you must submit Form SSA-632 (Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery) to your local SSA office. If your overpayment is $1,000 or less, the SSA may be able to process your request quickly over the phone.
Option 4: Request a lower repayment amount
If the repayment amount would make it difficult for you to afford basic living expenses, you can ask for a lower monthly payment. To do this, you will need to:
- Complete Form SSA-634 (Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate)
- Provide proof of your income and expenses
- Work with SSA to set up a repayment plan that fits your financial situation
Where to get more information
If you need additional help understanding your options, you can:
- Visit the SSA website’s Overpayment section
- Read the Overpayments fact sheet and Overpayments publication
- Watch SSA’s Overpayments video
- Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
- Visit your local Social Security office
Final thoughts
Receiving an overpayment notice can be overwhelming, but you have multiple ways to handle the situation. Whether you choose to repay the amount, appeal, or request a waiver, acting quickly will help you avoid additional financial stress. The SSA provides flexible options to accommodate different financial circumstances, so explore the best solution for you.
