Former SSA Insider: How to fight a Social Security Overpayment!

😃💯Who is Dr. Ed?
Dr. Ed Weir, PhD, Former Social Security District Manager; Former Family Services Specialist, Department of Social Services; Former Marine Corps Sergeant; University Adjunct Professor. Dr. Ed is one of the most experienced government benefits experts in the country and in his (semi)retirement, he has made hundreds of YouTube videos in order to help seniors, the disabled, survivors, retirees, disabled children, spouses, and others in every state get the benefits they need!

⚠️I am not an attorney, tax advocate, or currently affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any other entity of the US Federal Government. My advice and opinions are based on my decades of experience inside the government. However, the Social Security Administration is the final decision maker when it comes to your benefits.

#socialsecurity #medicare #seniorcitizens#seniorcitizens

[MyGovExpert]

😃Do you have questions about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.? Want to make sure you're receiving all the benefits you can? Join our weekly LIVE Q&A with Dr. Ed. Thursdays at 4pm PST. (7pm EST)

[renelira]

My friend needs you guys! He only gets $81.00 a month now after they cut all of his benefits multiple times, he cannot survive with stage 4 bone cancer. Now they want him to pay $50.00 a month for his insurance. How the hell can they do this? Michigan resident.

[vann]

My question is if it's not paid off they will put a lean on the property

[bobdailey]

How do I join the live Q&A Thursday @ 7:00 EST.

[usamathtutoring]

I have been in the process for over 5 years since 2018 of appealing an SSI case that was initially awarded around 2015 for my mental health disability. I did sign a form to continue receiving benefits during the appeal process. Due to COVID 19, they delayed my case many times. It finally made it to the administrative law stage a little over a year ago and, a couple of months ago, I received a letter that I had lost my case. I did have representation that I paid $2, 000 for and they did reimbursed me after I filed a complaint with their office. However, SSA has now sent me a letter saying that I owe $68, 000 in overpayments. I do not have the funds to repay it as I am living off of SNAP benefits and limited income. Also, I am pretty sure it is not my fault as they heavily delayed my case and I was not aware of the amount that was accumulating. Let me know what you would recommend. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[bagchaser_don]

Hey everyone I'm a person that gets SSI and I was just wondering what are some steps to waive the overpayment fees I've just become 20 as of this year and I've got a 7K overpayment fee that I don't know anything about I can barely feed myself and pay my bills I just want this to go away does anybody have any tips?

[bobdailey]

What should I do first?

SSA has told me to expect an overpayment and has started an investigation of my case. While the investigation is pending, my SSDI benefits have been SUSPENDED as of July 3rd 2024. My situation is I was still working over SGA while my SSDI application was PENDING in 2020. I stopped working above SGA in November of 2020. SSA now says I was overpaid for the first 10 months of 2020 (which was given to me in a one lump sum retroactive payment in November 2020)

1) SSA has access to my income via information sharing with the IRS and they have internal records of deductions taken out of my pay towards Medicare etc. in 2020. Why was my onset date of January 1st. 2020 approved without inquiring about my most recent income from January 1st. through date of approval?

2) I did go over SGA most of 2020 which should count toward a Trial Work Period a/k/a "TWP" rule that allows a recipient to have unlimited earnings for up to 9 months, (not necessarily consecutive) and then reevaluate my eligibility to continue to receive SSDI benefits.
I consider my 2020 income as a TWP failed attempt to be able to continue working full time.

3) I applied for SSDI benefits about a week or so into a month in 2020 (I don't remember exactly what month) when my disability prevented me from working above SGA for that month. I then had a slight improvement of my disability for a few more months and finally stopped working all together on November 1st 2020. The reason I applied during that month is I could see my disability was getting worse and my ability to work full time was coming to an end. Am I not allowed to plan for my future?

My strongest argument is the abandonment of the "Trial Work Period" rule.

I declare I was not at fault for an overpayment. I request that any benefits suspended beginning July 3rd 2024 and going forward be released asap.

My most recent benefit amount was $1, 563. My $1, 500 monthly rent deducts 96% of my benefit.
I can't afford to repay an overpayment.

Sincerly, Bob

[sofiachampion]

How long do I need to wait for an investigation? I reported work during covid. Ssdi kept paying. I got fired and could not get covid unemployment because ssdi kept paying. Now with cancer and no insurance other than Medicare I can’t pay. Spouse is ssdi.

[MyGovExpert]

Please leave any comments below. Do you have a pending overpayment issue or have had one in the past.

[Jlynnd]

Is it better to send a 561 to the local office or processing center?

[antoniojones]

What will they do to collect garnish pay check take bank account

[mosleygwen]

I received an overpayment alert on the account on the website, but I haven’t received any benefit payments. How do I correct this error? I haven’t applied for social security!

[angelamangeno]

I am my son's rep payee.He receives Money 1 time a year from his Indian tribe of 2, 028 they take his ssdi check away for that month. IF allowed to have 2, 000 in income without penalty why isn't he penalized for the 28.00 over instead of his whole check for that month? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated and helpful. Thank you.

[Squddle]

I just got one of those letters yesterday. They said since I made so much in 2023, I need to repay all of the payments from may-december. My question is, The money I made in 2023 was PRIOR to me applying for and receiving my ssa benefit. I thought it would not count since I made that money before I even applied for ssa? Am I wrong? Even on my 1099k form, it shows my income from may -december at $0.

[aliceshiotsugu]

It is devastating to know that Soc Sec Adm is making these mistakes. Most elderly people live on very little funds. I just got a call from a friend. She got a bill for $24, 000 because she worked to supplement her SSI benefits to pay her bills. I do not understand what is causing these problem. If a taxpayer paid her whole life social security tax, now she is getting her benefits based on some formula, why the overpayment just because she made extra income. She is 64 and started getting benefits at 62.

[MrVeeBlog]

I accidentally checked the box for Medicare part B and the moment I discovered that, like within a week of filing, I contacted SS to make the aware of the mistake. I am still working and have coverage, so I don't need it. They said they would fix it. A month later it hasn't been fixed, the money is coming out of my SS. After the 3rd month, I went into the SS office and a form was put in directly and that was supposed to stop the withdrawals. It's been almost 6 months and the withdrawals have not stopped. I want that money back. How do I make them listen? What office or paperwork do I have to file, short of getting an attorney to make them stop? If you know that is.

[NgaNguyen-pzpm]

I have to paid back the SSA $ 14631 thousand back but I don’t have no money. Wat can I do? The money was for surviving. spouse

[mickiegray]

When I first got sick I had long-term disability from my work. I agreed with to allow their attorneys file for my social security. A few months later I received a call from Social security office confirming some information. I was told during the call I could get survivor benefits and I agreed. Within a month I was receiving $560 month. I think they started in Aug. In Feb of the following year I was awarded my SSDI. Several months later I received a letter I had an overpayment as I shouldn't been receiving survivor benefits and SSDI. I had no idea of this, as I didn't know social security rules. This is social security fault and not mine. I cannot afford to pay the $5600 back as only receive $1327 A onth. I filed out the Waiver. I received a voice mail thanking me for all the paper working I sent but they were going to take $158 A month for 3 years. That was 1 1/2 yrs. ago they have not taken money out. I know received notice for a personal conference. What should I expect from this conference?

[VirginiaS]

I was told I had an overpayment from 1974. I do not recall receiving a notice. I am being billed $49 a month for 36 months. I have asked for a copy of the notice, but one has never been forthcoming. Shouldn't I be allowed a copy of the original notice? I am wondering what address it was sent for and the months it was for.

[notyourso.]

I filed an overpayment waiver, sent in all of my asset info, attached letters of my argument of why it isnt mine or my daughter's faults and how we cannot afford to pay it back because itll make us homeless. And, have not received an answer from the employee who is making the decision. I was given a letter stating i owe $6, 335.00. Can i file an appeal after the overpayment waiver was sent to them?

Thank you for your time.