Question: I received a letter from Social Security that they overpaid me. What should I do now?
Answer:
If you got a letter in the mail that says you got more money than you should have, please pay us back within 30 days.
Benefits are overpaid when we can’t accurately calculate your benefit amount because our information is wrong or incomplete. It can happen if you don’t share updates with us about what’s changed in your life, like your ability to work, living situation, marital status, or income.
We will wait at least 30 days (plus 5 mail days) from the date of the overpayment notice before we start collection of the overpayment. If you submit a request for waiver or reconsideration before 30 days has passed, we will not begin collection of the overpayment until a decision is made.
If you’d like to request to repay us in smaller monthly payments, fill out the Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate (Form SSA-634) and fax or mail the form to your local Social Security office.
If you can’t afford to pay us back, and if you feel the error wasn’t your fault or is unfair for some other reason, ask us to waive repayment.
If you don’t agree that you’ve been overpaid, or you believe the overpayment amount is incorrect, you can request a reconsideration. We call this an appeal.
Related: Social Security, Medicare & Retirement Age
Question: I would like to have my benefits deposited through the Direct Express debit Card.
Answer:
The Direct Express® card is a debit card you can use to access your benefits and you don’t need a bank account.
With the Direct Express® card program, your federal benefit payment directly deposits into your card account. Your monthly benefits will be available on your payment day—on time, every time.
Call the toll-free Direct Express® hotline at 1-800-333-1795. Also, Social Security can help you sign up.
If you receive a paper check, you may visit Treasury’s webpage to enroll in direct deposit.
