Everyone makes mistakes, even the SSA. Sometimes you may get the wrong amount on your disability check, for example. When you receive an overpayment, it is up to you to notify the SSA. This article will walk you through this process.
First, it is important to understand the correct terms here. Your overpayment specifically refers to the difference between the amount that you were paid by the SSA and the amount that you should have been paid.
Now that we have that down, there are several steps that can be taken. First, the SSA will send you a notice if you have received an overpayment. This notice will ask that you pay back the overpayment in full. This can be done through a number of ways. Paying back the overpayment can also be done by the SSA in the event that you do not comply with your overpayment notice and request for refund. In this instance, the SSA might take portions out of your future monthly payments in order to pay back the SSA what they lost.
Do not let this concern you though, as long as you pay back the repayment, there will be no repercussions. After all, this was at least partially a mistake on the part of the SSA. In some instances, in fact, the SSA might admit total fault. In some instances, the SSA will grant the individual that received the overpayment a waiver. If a waiver is received, the SSA will not expect any of the money back. These waivers, however, must be requested, and they can be denied.
In order for you to figure out the best course of action if you have received an overpayment or a notice of overpayment is to speak to an SSI advocate in Maryland. The representatives at website can help advocate for you. They can help you navigate the process correctly so that you can avoid having refunds to the SSA taken out of your future checks. They can even help you determine if you qualify to request a waiver that would let you keep the repayment in full.
