SSDI Overpayments – What You Need To Know

WHAT IS AN OVERPAYMENT?

An overpayment is when Social Security gives you more money than you should have received.

WHY DOES AN OVERPAYMENT HAPPEN?

You might get an overpayment if:

• You do not tell Social Security that you started working.
• You do not report a change in your income.

You did report your work, but Social Security did not stop your payments in time.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET AN OVERPAYMENT?

Social Security will send you a letter. Look at the letter carefully. Make sure the information is right. This letter will tell you:

• What months you were overpaid.
• How much extra money you got.
• Why it
• What you can do next.

If you do not reply, Social Security will start taking the money back 60 days after the letter was sent. Contact them as soon as possible about your options.

HOW DO I PREVENT OVERPAYMENT?

To help avoid an overpayment, you should:

• Tell Social Security about your income every month.
• Read every letter from Social Security carefully and keep a copy.

Keep copies of everything you send to Social Security.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I WAS OVERPAID?

Call or visit Social Security as soon as possible. You have three options.

1. Ask for a payment plan

If you agree you were overpaid, you can pay the money back.

• Starting March 27, 2025: If you have an overpayment and still receive benefits Social Security will take 50% of your check toward repayment. If you had an overpayment prior to March 27, 2025, your current repayment rate will still apply.
• If that’s too much, ask them to take less by filling out Form SSA-634 (Form link: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-634.pdf.)
• If you do not get benefits anymore, you can still set up a payment plan. You will have to show what you can afford to pay.

2. Appeal the overpayment (Request for Reconsideration)

If you think Social Security made a mistake, you can ask them to review it. This is called a Request for Reconsideration.

• Look at the letter to see if your earnings information is correct. If something is wrong, send proof with your request.
• Fill out the reconsideration form (Form link: ssa.gov/iApplNMD/start). Include proof like pay stubs or letters from your employer.
• You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
• You have 60 days after the date on the letter to ask for this.

3. Ask for a waiver.

You can ask for a waiver if:

• The overpayment was not your fault, and
• You can’t afford to pay the money back.

Fill out the waiver form: ssa.gov/forms/ssa-632-bk.pdf
Social Security will talk to you before deciding.

Important:
If you request a waiver or appeal, Social Security can’t take money from you until they make a decision.

CAN I DO BOTH AN APPEAL AND A WAIVER?

Yes. Social Security will decide on the appeal first, then look at your waiver request. Social Security cannot collect on the overpayment until it has made a decision.