FAMILY UPDATE: I was forced to pay a $15,000 Social Security overpayment – when they notified me it revealed the truth about my ex
A Social Security recipient recently uncovered surprising information about her ex-partner due to an overpayment error made by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The recipient, Elaina, was initially confused by the notification she received from the SSA regarding an outstanding amount.
Unexpected Discovery
Elaina, who has two children with her ex-husband—who was on disability and receiving consistent distributions from the SSA—was unaware that her former partner had fathered another child with someone else after their divorce. She received child support payments from his benefits, but the existence of the third child was unknown to her until the overpayment notice.
The SSA notified Elaina that approximately $15,000 had been mistakenly distributed to her children that should have also been allocated to their half-sibling. Elaina repaid the full $15,000 but also wrote to the SSA explaining that she had no knowledge of the third child and had not been informed by her ex-husband, with whom she no longer communicates.
Resolution and Reimbursement
Elaina’s explanation was met with understanding from the SSA. After reviewing her case, the SSA agreed that the overpayment was an error, apologized for the situation, and returned the $15,000 to her, along with interest. This resolution relieved Elaina from the financial burden she initially faced.
How to Appeal an Overpayment
For those facing similar issues with overpayments, there are two main forms available to appeal:
1) SSA-561: Request for Reconsideration
This form is used if a recipient disagrees with the overpayment or believes the amount is incorrect. It must be filed within 60 days of receiving the overpayment notice. SSA-561 can be submitted online through the SSA’s website or by contacting a representative.
2)SSA-632: Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery
This form is appropriate if the recipient believes they are not at fault for the overpayment or that repaying the amount would cause undue hardship. Unlike SSA-561, there is no time limit for submitting SSA-632, provided the recipient can demonstrate that the error was not their fault or that repayment would be unfair. SSA-632 can be filed online or submitted in person at a local SSA office.
Success Stories and Challenges
Several recipients have successfully used these forms to have overpayments waived. For instance, a couple in Michigan managed to have a $37,000 overpayment waived after extensive dealings with the SSA. Similarly, a recipient who contested a $654 overpayment was relieved of the debt after it was found to be an error on the SSA’s part.
However, not all cases have happy endings. Some recipients have faced significant challenges, such as one individual required to repay $121,000 within 30 days and another who received a distressing notice about an $84,000 overpayment.
