Learn about Overpayments and Our Process
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 13, 2023
The Social Security Administration works to ensure that we pay the right person the right amount at the right time, and our payment accuracy rates are high. Given the magnitude of the benefits we pay each year—$1.4 trillion in benefits to more than 70 million people—and complexity of the programs we administer, overpayments can happen.
Social Security is required by law to adjust benefits or recover debts when people receive payments they weren’t entitled to. We take seriously our responsibilities to our customers and to taxpayers to safeguard the integrity of our benefit programs and be good stewards of the trust funds.
Overpayments can occur for many reasons, like when someone does not timely report work or other changes that can affect benefits or when an individual chooses to continue receiving payments during an appeal. Each person’s situation is unique, and we handle overpayments on a case-by-case basis.
Getting an overpayment notice may be unsettling or unclear, and we work with people to navigate the process. We inform people about the fact and amount of the overpayment, their right to appeal, and the options to repay or, in some cases, receive waivers for the debt.
People have the right to appeal the overpayment decision or the amount. They can also ask Social Security to waive collection of the overpayment, if they believe it was not their fault and can’t afford to pay it back. We examine every waiver request to determine if the person caused the debt and their ability to repay. If we can’t waive the debt, we have flexible repayment options—including repayment of as low as $10 per month.
Social Security is working to prevent overpayments and make the process easier.
For more information about the overpayment process, please see our Overpayments Fact Sheet.
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Michele
I’m very upset with my situation. I had tried to go back to work, 2 weeks and 1 day into this job I was injured. Yes, I had called Social Security 2-3 times regarding the job and then do to the injury. By the end of each call, I was litteraly in tears do to the rudeness of each rep. They sent forms to complete which I did and returned them with a tracking number and social security said I didn’t. I had only received Temporary Total for my injury, only 1 full actual & physical pay on this job. As of this month, I’ll only get aprox: $20/$30 dollars, from the Temp Total as I really had no long employment before. Social Security has suspended my SSD pay for overpayment, which my opinion was not my fault as it was an injury at my job. Because they’ve stopped my SSD and I will no longer be working or receiving Temp Total, I should say nothing (as stated above). I now have zero income (myself) coming in. One pay check (from spouse) does not pay our mortgage, electric, gas bill, water bill etc…or my Medicare insurance. Just very upsetting to be treated this way and the worry is very overwhelming.
Sue
We’re sorry to hear about your situation, Michele. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to read our Overpayments fact sheet and continue to work with your local Social Security office. You may ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. Or you can contact us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You can also submit feedback by visiting our How can we help? webpage. From there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this matter is resolved soon.
Johnny l.
I have an overpayment was told 32000 I started drawing at 62 my family and I , I ended up making more then my limit so was not sure how the earnings limit worked s decided to call ssa office they said yes made to much and suspended my payments, although ssa sent me letters and collections calls did not have money to pay them back was reading on internet you can draw again at 66.5 FRA so I called the office to reinstate my benifits I was told they would submit it to see if it was approved so I go on my app to check status instead of suspended says Benefits on HOLD would received a letter telling me why so I called again they said I could go into office and Singh a letter and pay back my overpayment within 36 months said my over payment was 32000 and my payments would be 899$ a month out of my benifits so I go online to check again only to find out my overpayment is 35000$ so don’t know where the other 3000 came from also on my status says they are taking my whole check now I am really confused it’s like the system is rigged to screw you and when you get close they change the rules on you I really believe system is set up to keep half of what you and your employer paid in and why in the hell you ask a question you always get different answers from the government SSA always conflicting info I am really getting tired of the bureaucracy with this answers should be the same don’t they know the laws, also I really believe they can give u the wrong info down the road it could screw you if you don’t get it right so please everbody that works for ssa have the same answer
Sue
We’re sorry to hear about your situation, Johnny Lee. For your security, we don’t have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to review our Frequently Asked Questions and to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor during your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
Tina W.
I’m not sure about why you were over paid, or how it reached such an astronomical amount before being brought to your attention. However it obviously was not an Intentional action on your part. With that being the case, and Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to some of that amount being waived. With that being said, you most certainly are entitled to set up a payment plan that allows you and your family to survive. They must base that payment on the amount of money you have after paying the expenses that are necessary to provide you and your family with the basic needs you require. With the amount of the back payment I would suggest that you seek help from an advocate in which the social security administration will supply you information for upon asking. I personally would do a search for one first. Hope this helps. I’ve been dealing with their shady ways for nearly 20 years and in doing so you learn a little. Good luck to you.
Alina
I am the payee for my son and report my wages EVERY MONTH just to be told I am now overpaid by $28,000! When I call the SSA office I get NO assistance ! This in my opinion is abuse of power. They KNOW they are overpaying people yet STILL DO IT so they are put in debt. These stories I’m reading are horrible! SSA you should be ashamed! It’s gotten to to the point where I don’t know if I should be seeking legal counsel. I again will submit a form for this overpayment, just for nothing to be done.
Sue
We’re sorry to hear about your situation, Alina. For your security, we don’t have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor during your next call or visit. To learn about your wage reporting options, check out our Reporting Wages When You Receive Supplemental Security Income fact sheet. We hope this helps.
Angela P.
March 2023 I was sent a questionnaire regarding Worker’s Compensation and if I had been getting regular payments from them. I hadn’t. I completed the questionnaire and mailed it back stating just that. April 29 or so I was sent a letter stating they overpaid me by $47,902! The reason: Claimed I had been getting Worker’s Compensation payments weekly since October 2017 and that my monthly disability payment was drastically changing to almost nothing! I have filed an appeal and also a reconsideration. Finally in October I was informed that they now knew I hadn’t been collecting Worker’s Compensation payments and all that needed was the Payment Processing Center to correct and reissue my disability payments. I waited another month and called my local office for an update. I was told that this process takes “a long, long, long time” and I just need to wait. It’s now December and I still don’t have any resolve. In fact I am not getting anything insofar as SSDI payments. I had received a couple of letters explaining that in December my payments would stop and that I wouldn’t get another SSDI payment until June 2032!! This has ruined me. I went from barely paying my monthly bills to now having several things in collections, ruining my credit having my phone shut off and disconnection notices for my utilities. I am severely depressed and NONE OF THIS WAS MY FAULT!
Sue
We’re sorry to hear about your situation, Angela. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Please contact us again at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. Or, you may choose to continue to work with your local office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. You can also submit feedback by visiting our How can we help? webpage. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email Our Support Team” form where you can submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this is resolved soon.
Daniel M.
I have trying to get information about comp offset for 14 months now also I have been waiting for a answer on how they figured my monthly benifits for a year and a half .I have been o m hold for no less than a hour only tto be hung up on atlest half the time I call the national number? I been promised several times that a supervisor will call me back to explain the offset how they came to the amount I recieve and give me my status of offset still being taken out 10months after not receiving workmens comp payments. 796 dollars a month is alot of money and not one of your workers know or understand what’s going on with and why?well from what I found was this very simple problem tech people found in a report to congress back in 2018yes 5 years ago was the lawyers payment was freezing up and causing appeals from not being complete and able to sendout backpay.i call my local office same thing they just discoect you and tell last time I called the told me not to call anymore concerning offsets because only a specialist caanswer my questions and they do ot have any one at the local level office that can help me.when I asked for a appointment they denied me and promised I would get a call back from a specialist working from. A different location.more lies can someone help.
Sue
We’re sorry to hear about your experience, Daniel. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Please contact us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. You can also submit feedback by visiting our How can we help? webpage. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email Our Support Team” form where you can submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. In addition, you may find useful information in our How Workers’ Compensation and Other Disability Payments May Affect Your Benefits publication. We hope this is resolved soon.
Cassandra S.
This is horrible! Reading all comments!
My SSA Horror Story!
I just got the letter telling me to pay back 38k. Reconsideration was denied and I am waiting on an appeal before an ALJ.
Reading through all the comments is telling me my NIGHTMARE is just beginning! Tragic!!!!
1) Sending out overpayment letters in the month of December is very CRUEL! Fix it!
As I got the overcharge letter in December of 2022 and now SSA wants 38k payment and stopped my SSDI benefits in February of 2023.
I don’t have 38k! The whole year I been stressed out about this OVER Payment!
The best I’m getting is…it happens to millions of Americans yearly!
2) Unacceptable!
3) I’m living in very economic uncertainty with my mentally disable sister with a rare condition!
4) Sucks to be poor in America!
Lord knows I wasn’t trying to be in this bucket of life! I cannot even sleep at night!
5) Readers of this feed. Go to the media about this debacle! Don’t suffer in silence. This horrible situation needs a lot of squeaky wheels to fix this madness!
6) Cruel and Nefarious Treatment!
David T.
Let me say , I feel you .
My disability in Severe Anxiety , OCD with worry being the main symptom , every day is a struggle , $25.300 is killing me mentally & SSA knew my situ for years
I was connected to my Elderly Step Dads Bank accounts (Just in case of an emergency ) I told SSA each & every review & stated ” I was NOT The Primary on the accounts (Savings & Checking ) & they never stated it was a issue .
My initial appeal was denied ( funny I never got that letter ) , was lied to at the office (they told me I could not do another appeal cause it was not a medical issue = LIE , They said I missed a 2 pm call back in Sept & never bothered with it = LIE , At 3 pm that day I called them & at around 4.30 a guy from SSA calls me saying ” they need more time on my appeal ” I SAT BY THE PHONE FOR 3 Hours + They were suppose to call me at 2 pm back in Nov & they never called .
My Credit is ruined after I finally fixed it at age 44 , I want to give up .
P.S A / 1 Nice person (The only 1 nice person ) I talked to at my SSA office told me ” Don’t let anyone here lie to you , as you have rights ” .
God Bless
Rebekah P.
How do I set up a monthly plan? I’m not even sure how much I owe. I’ve gotten letters with different amounts. I definitely can’t afford to pay thousands back in 30 days. I’m a single mom with one income and was overpaid spousal benefits from the death of my husband in 2020 because I got a job to support my child. I’ll be using the benefits my daughter receives to repay this debt.
Sue
Hi, Rebekah. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You can ask your local Social Security office to approve a repayment plan. To learn more, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Maureen L.
Wavier has been awaiting a decision for 5 months today no decision an took them 3 months to stop payment I was told there’s no proof of how many payments have been made I also am a victim to this 12yrs they collect for 8,000 so is this true? And I had to appeal my medical but was working an health declined won appeal they adjusted back pay for the yr. I had due. Kept that few thous. I can’t understand what’s taking so long .How far back will the recovery of overpayment approve if I receive favorable decision
Sue
We are sorry to hear about your experience, Maureen. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to work with your local Social Security office. You may ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. We hope this matter is resolved soon.
Ivy
The Judge had ruled in favor of my Social Security Overpayment case about 4 months ago. Could you please explain the process to receive the money that had been repaid to Social Security.
Sue
Thanks for reading our blog and for your question, Ivy. For your security, we don’t have access to information about your overpayment in this venue. Once an appeal is approved, the process varies depending on the situation. Please call your local Social Security office for assistance with your specific case. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. We hope this helps.
Ivy J.
Thank you very much Sue.
Stacey
How do I request an accounting or ledger related to an overpayment? I have been repaying an alleged overpayment for several years and the amount does not seem to decrease. I called SSA today and the local office told me that there is no way to request an accounting or ledger. They were also unable to tell me what the original overpayment amount was and said that there was no one to speak to regarding the information I was requesting. I called the 800 number and it was over an hour wait. Is there a form available to request this information?
Sue
Hi, Stacey. We’re sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we don’t have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to read our Overpayments fact sheet and to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor during your next call or visit. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.