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Got an SSA overpayment letter? Find the right form and your dates

For anyone who got an overpayment letter from Social Security: retirement, survivors, SSDI or SSI, and representative payees. Answer a few questions to see whether to ask for a waiver (SSA-632-BK), a lower monthly withholding (SSA-634) or an appeal (SSA-561), your 30-day date, and how SSA's own “can you afford it” test looks for you. It's free.

1. Which benefit is the overpayment letter about?

The letter names it near the top. SSI letters say “Supplemental Security Income”.

2. Who is filling this in?
3. What date is printed on the overpayment notice?

Your deadlines count from this date, not from the day the letter arrived.

4. How much does SSA say you were overpaid?

The total on the notice, before anything you have repaid.

5. Do you agree that you were overpaid, and by that amount?
6. Which best describes how the overpayment happened?

SSA decides who was at fault. This is your side of it, and it decides whether a waiver is realistic.

7. Do you, your spouse or a dependent currently get any of these?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), A VA pension based on need, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicare Part D Extra Help. If you still get SSI, answer Yes.

8. Because of these payments, did you take on a cost or give something up that you can't easily undo?

For example: signed a more expensive lease, took out a loan, started a course, cut your work hours, or didn't apply for other help you could have had.

9. Has SSA already started taking money out of your payments for this overpayment?
10. If you had to repay, could you manage what SSA proposes in the letter?

For Social Security the default is up to 50% of your monthly benefit (notices since April 25, 2025).

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Guides on SSA overpayments