If you think an overpayment is wrong, you can complete a Request for Reconsideration online at or download the form. Even though it looks easy, provide as much information as you can.
Claim Number, Issue Being Appealed, and Reasons
- If there is a Claim Number on the Notice of Overpayment from Social Security, write it in the box next to the box for your Social Security Number.
- For “Issue Being Appealed,” say something like: “[amount of overpayment] overpayment from Notice of Overpayment dated Month/Day/Year.”
- For “My reasons are,” say something like: “Please see attached explanation and documentation.” Make sure to ask Social Security not to withhold any money until they make a decision.
Writing Your Explanation (generally one or more attached pages)
For each month you don’t agree with Social Security, write a short reason why you don’t think you were overpaid. It usually has to do with why you don’t think some of your income should count. You need to share evidence in support of your argument, like a credit card statement. Highlight or write a short note next to things you want to make sure Social Security sees or understands.
SSI-Specific Tips
To figure out the amount of your check, SSI starts with the highest amount they can pay in a month for a certain year (ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSIamts.html), then looks at your income from two months before. They count your income in the month it was paid or received, and only a little less than half your earnings from work count.
- If you’re a student younger than 22, SSI may subtract most of your earnings from work (secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500820510). You’ll need a copy of a transcript or other proof you were in school.
- SSI also wants to know if someone else helps pay for your housing. If you pay or help pay for your housing, include copies of your rent check and utility payments.
- SSI cares about how much you own (other than your house and car). For instance, if the overpayment is about resources, share a bank statement showing you have less than $2,000 in savings.
SSDI-Specific Tips
SSDI usually only cares about your total earnings from work. The amount of your check doesn’t often change because of other income, and Social Security doesn’t usually consider your savings or other resources. Whether you get an SSDI check in a month mostly depends on whether you earned above or below a certain amount the month before: ssa.gov/oact/cola/sga.html. Unless the overpayment occurred this year, Social Security compares your earnings to the limit from the year or years it happened.
- SSDI can count income from work in the month it was earned or paid. This can be challenging if a pay period covers more than one month. You may want to ask Social Security to divide your earnings between the two months, depending on how many days of the pay period are in each.
- If you took paid sick, holiday, or vacation days in a month, SSDI will subtract them from your earnings. However, it’s always a good idea to remind them to do it.
- If some months are just below and others just above the allowable amount because your earnings go up or down a little bit, you can ask Social Security to average your income for several months.
- If you get help from a coworker or a job coach, SSDI can subtract the time they spend with you from your earnings. Your employer or the job coach’s agency will need to write a letter saying how much they helped and how many hours you worked together during the month.
- If you couldn’t continue working or lost a job within six months because of your disability, SSDI won’t count your earnings in those months. Ask Social Security to look at it as an Unsuccessful Work Attempt.
Work-Related Overpayments (Both SSI and SSDI)
If the overpayment is about work, include copies of your paychecks and any receipts you have for things related to your disability that you needed to work and paid for with your own money (like transportation, doctor visit copays, or medication). Also, write a sentence or two—or get a letter from your doctor—explaining how those expenses helped you be successful at work.
Informal Conference (SSI Only)
Once you have finished explaining the reasons you don’t agree, check “Informal Conference” in the “Three Ways to Appeal” box in the middle of the page. This way, you can meet with Social Security, explain your argument, find out if they need any more information, and ask questions before they make their decision.
Contact Information
- Put your address, city, ZIP Code, state, telephone number, and the date at the bottom. Even though you don’t have to, we suggest signing the form. If you want someone to talk to Social Security with you or for you, put their name and contact information, along with the date, next to yours.
- There are two copies of the form. Only complete the second one if you want to keep it for your records.
- Turn the form in as soon as you can so Social Security doesn’t take money out of your check before making a decision.
This communication is funded through a Social Security Administration grant agreement at taxpay expense. Although SSA reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official SSA communication.