Signs You May Have Been Overpaid

Here’s how you might know if you’ve been overpaid:

• You receive a letter from the SSA: The SSA typically sends an official notice of overpayment, explaining the reason, amount, and repayment instructions.
• Your income or work status changed: If you started working again or earned more than allowed under Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits, this may cause an overpayment.
• You failed to report a change: Not informing the SSA about changes in income, living situation, or medical condition could result in an overpayment.
• Your benefits seem higher than usual: If your monthly payments suddenly increase without an explanation, it might be an error.
• You received retroactive payments you weren’t entitled to: This can happen if your case is reviewed or reversed.

What’s in an Overpayment Notice?

The notice from the SSA will include:

• The total amount overpaid
• The dates the overpayment occurred
• The reason for the overpayment
• Instructions for repayment or appeal

What to Do If You Receive an Overpayment Notice

• Read the Letter Carefully
  Understand the SSA’s reasoning and check if the amount is accurate.
• Request a Waiver
  If the overpayment wasn’t your fault and repaying would cause financial hardship, you can request a waiver using Form SSA-632-BK.
• File an Appeal
  If you disagree with the overpayment or believe you were paid correctly, you can appeal within 60 days of receiving the notice.
• Repay the SSA or Set Up a Payment Plan
  If you agree with the overpayment, you can:
• Pay it in full
• Set up monthly installments
• Have the amount withheld from future benefit payments