A MAN started a fundraiser after receiving an unexpected Social Security overpayment.
Facebook user and Social Security recipient Elie asked for help to “continue working towards a better future.”
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
He was shocked when he was mailed a letter for an “unexpected Social Security overpayment.”
“The system penalizes hard work and now I’m facing a $5,208 charge I can’t afford,” he wrote.
The user created a GoFundMe page to raise money for the looming payment.
In its description, Elie accused the Social Security Administration of failing to help its beneficiaries.
NO HELP
“We all know Social Security doesn’t let people work and get back on their feet,” Elie said.
“They literally allow you to make $200 or penalize you,” he included a picture of the overpayment notice in his GoFundMe post.
The user explained how he had been working overtime for his job although it wasn’t salary-based.
His supplemental security income, SSI, was compromised despite him not having funds to pay back the $5,208.
Elie said he’d be lucky to have $100 left after his bills, “let alone have enough to pay this ridiculous amount.”
He called himself a hard worker and said the SSI payments had enabled him to set money aside.
OVERPAYMENTS EXPLAINED
The Social Security Administration says overpayments occur when someone gets more money than they should’ve for a certain month.
“The amount of your overpayment is the difference between the amount you received and the amount due,” says SSA.gov.
Social Security lists multiple reasons why a beneficiary might get an overpayment notice:
- Income is more than they estimated
- Living situation or martial status has changed
- They have more resources than the allowable limit
- They’re no longer disabled but still getting benefits
- They don’t report a change (on time or at all) to the SSA
- The SSA incorrectly calculates benefits due to incorrect information
Filing Waiver Form SSA-632
Those who cannot afford to pay back the overpayment amounts noted by the SSA or feel they should not have to can file a specific form.
- The form is identified as SSA-632 on the SSA website and can be filled out and submitted at a local office.
- “If you agree that you have been overpaid, but you feel you should not have to pay it back because you did not cause the overpayment and you cannot afford to repay it, you should file Form SSA-632,” the SSA notes on its website.
- It also lists multiple repayment options.
- Recipients with additional questions are urged to call 1-800-772-1213.
Social Security sends a notice of the overpayment and asks for a full refund within 30 days.
If the recipient doesn’t repay the overpayment after those 30 days, Social Security can withhold 10% of their monthly payments.
Beneficiaries can request an appeal of the decision by submitting a waiver form.
It asks for the recipient’s mailing address, phone number, and representative if they use a lawyer.
The SSA will reconsider its decision and possibly refrain from collecting the overpayment.
MORE SOCIAL SECURITY
One man said he received an overpayment notice for $100,000 in SSI benefits.
The user described his dilemma on Reddit, alleging he was informed of being overpaid over the last decade.
He had received SSI payments as a child due to his health condition and was now being told he was ineligible for benefits.
For related content, The U.S. Sun has a schedule for COLA Social Security updates.
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