Got an SSA overpayment letter? What to do first

An overpayment letter is stressful, but it isn't a final bill. You have options, and time to use them, as long as you act within the first few weeks. This checklist applies to Social Security retirement, survivors and disability benefits and to SSI, and to representative payees who got a letter for someone else.

1. Read what the notice says

The notice must include (20 CFR 404.502a; POMS GN 02201.009, SI 02220.010):

• the total overpayment and the months involved;
• what SSA paid you and what it should have paid, month by month or in a sentence;
• why it thinks a different amount was due;
• how much it plans to withhold if you don't repay, and when;
• your right to appeal and to ask for a waiver, and how.

If you can't tell why you were overpaid, ask SSA to explain. For Social Security benefits, SSA's manual tells staff to hold collection while they explain the overpayment (POMS GN 02201.011B).

2. Mark two dates on the calendar

• 30 days after the date on the notice. Ask for a waiver or an appeal by then and SSA won't collect until it decides. See the 30-day rule.
• 65 days after the date on the notice. The last day to appeal: 60 days after you receive it, which SSA assumes is 5 days after its date.

3. Pick your path

You can combine them: an appeal and a waiver together, or a waiver with a lower-rate request as a backup. Our comparison of the three forms explains when.

Got an SSA overpayment letter? Check which form fits.Start the free overpayment check

4. Gather proof

• The notice itself, all pages.
• Anything showing when you reported the change: letters, receipts, fax confirmations, notes of calls with dates and names.
• For a waiver: recent benefit letters, pay stubs, bank statements and your latest tax return, plus proof of SNAP, TANF or a needs-based VA pension if you get one.
• For an appeal: whatever shows the facts SSA got wrong, such as pay stubs for the months in question.

5. Send it so you can prove it

Upload through my Social Security, fax or mail it to your local office (ssa.gov/locator), or bring it in, and keep the confirmation, fax page or certified-mail receipt. SSA lists all of these on its overpayment pages.

If you decide to repay

You can pay at Pay.gov with the Remittance ID from your letter, through your bank's bill pay (payee: Social Security Administration, PO Box 3430, Philadelphia, PA 19122-0340), or by phone at 1-855-807-8807, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time, where you can also set up a payment plan.

General information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Social Security Administration.