Social Security Insider - Latest Comments in Social Security Overpayments

Re: Social Security Overpayments

Mysticlad — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 08:38:48 -0000

I was sent a letter in 2006 that told me I had been overpaid by $119,000.00. Yes, that is correct. I am about to have my hearing before and ALJ next month, 8 1/2 years after receipt of this letter. SSA bungled this badly despite being informed in person and by lawyers in 1999, 2000, and 2005 that I was working. After a pre-conference in 2007 during which the SSA worker claimed she had never seen such a huge mess and that my four inch file would take a long time to even sort through and figure out, the file was lost.
Apparently they made a summary decision against me six weeks later but never sent my attorney or me that letter. The promptly put the amount of $119,000.00 on my credit report which ruined my credit of course. During this time I had been waiting four years for a hearing and finally inquired to my status through my lawyer. She told me, she thought the whole thing had been concluded as she never heard from SSA or me in the years after the pre-conference. It was only in 2012 that we discovered that they had sent the summary decision to a former address of my attorney. Asked for my file and a hearing and had to sue the U.S. Government to even find my file. My file finally showed up this spring in which the revised decision apparently ( I have not seen figures ) had me overpaid for only 3 1/2 years now seeking $54,000.00 and ignoring the $13,000.00 in tax refund offsets they had collected. After going through my file with my attorney, it appears SSA just botched this and even ignores the their own information such as letters they sent to me informing me of continuing benefits even though they had been informed that I was working. The file contains inaccuracies, errors, and even post dated files etc. Some of the most important things such as correspondence regarding addresses and reports from my lawyers were ignored. The amount of poor records and half kept paperwork is hard to believe. 8 1/2 years later I am preparing to go to an ALJ for a hearing in which my lawyer tells me to expect to repay this amount. The figures change over the years and I am still unsure as to how they were computed. By the way, the revised decision was also never sent to my attorney even though she is the one who sued to get my file and this case finally addressed.
SSA ruined my credit by posting false data to my credit report which in any other case would be grounds for a FCRA suit. How does the SSA ignore their own correspondence, lose and omit critical info yet expect me to just cough up 54K? I am a working disabled person and pretty much hopeless as to paying such a large amount or making an offer. I am not sure where to turn.

Re: Social Security Overpayments

TomaszStasiuk — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 11:22:55 -0000

There is an agency who may be able to help you: Social Security Advice Online (http://socialsecurityadvice.... They are a national company made up of former Social Security managers. Note: this is a private company not affiliated with the Social Security Administration.

Re: Social Security Overpayments

Mike — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:42:21 -0000

In 2010 I received Social Security disability, I was off work 11 months when I returned to work I was told I would have a 9 month trial work period and would continue receiving benefits. During the nine months I received letters from SSA telling me that I was in my trial work period. When the nine months was up they sent me 4 more checks I wasn't entitled to, so I returned them. I was then sent a bill saying I was overpaid 14,000. How is this my fault? Where do they come up with the overpayment, now I'm on permanent disability how can I repay this amount?

Re: Social Security Overpayments

Lostdragon56 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:47:15 -0000

it wouldnt be so bad to pay the overpayment if you just knew what it is for i cant get an answere and they have already held my checks for over a year off and on,its bull how can you pay rent and bills when they do that

Re: Social Security Overpayments

TomaszStasiuk — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:40:04 -0000

Social Security does not require waiting until unemployment is exhausted to apply for benefits. http://www.socialsecurityin...

There are several other issues, such as date last insured that may become a factor if an individual decides to wait to apply.

http://www.socialsecurityin...
- and -
http://www.socialsecurityin...

Re: Social Security Overpayments

A.s.e Automotive — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:16:32 -0000

can i claim disabilty after unimployment runs out or do i weight sens im diabedic

Re: Social Security Overpayments

e.chance — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:53:29 -0000

I have an overpayment of 50k and am scheduled for a hearing next month. SS owes me 26k for adjustment on monies they didnt pay be over a 2 year period. So my questions is could the judge reduce my 50k overpayment by 26k or is that going to be a seperate issue.

Re: Social Security Overpayments

TomaszStasiuk — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:27:23 -0000

I guess we will find out in 2019! Personally, I do not think SSA will be gone.

Changed? Sure. I expect later retirement, perhaps smaller benefits. But, I don't think it will be gone. Time will tell.

Re: Social Security Overpayments

Paid Survey — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:39:24 -0000

social security will be gone in the next 10 years!