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Social Security overpayment checker
Which request fits your letter, and the dates that count.
Request that fitsSSA-632-BK + SSA-6341. SSA-632-BK (Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery): you believe you were not at fault.
2. SSA-634 (Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate): a lower rate is the fallback if the waiver is denied.
| Ask by this date and SSA does not start withholding until it decides | Dec 2, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last day to ask for reconsideration | Jan 6, 2027 |
| Default withholding each month | $900 |
| Months to repay $6,000 at that rate | 7 |
Dates count from the date on the letter; a notice is treated as received 5 days after that date. The forms are free from SSA. Only SSA decides.
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What a Social Security overpayment letter means
A Social Security overpayment letter says SSA paid you more than it now thinks you were due, how much, for which months, and how it plans to recover it. For Title II notices dated on or after April 25, 2025, the default is to withhold 50% of your monthly benefit; for SSI the default stays 10%[em25029]. The letter is not the last word: you have three ways to answer it, and you can use more than one.
| If… | Ask for | Form | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| The overpayment or the amount is wrong | Reconsideration | SSA-561 | 60 days from receipt (receipt = date + 5 days) |
| You were not at fault and repaying is a hardship or unfair | Waiver | SSA-632-BK | None; within 30 days keeps withholding from starting |
| You owe it but the withholding leaves too little | Lower rate | SSA-634 | Any time |
SSA overpayment waiver (SSA-632)
An SSA overpayment waiver cancels collection when two things are true: you were not at fault, and repaying would either defeat the purpose of the program, because you need the income for ordinary and necessary living expenses, or be against equity and good conscience, for example because you relied on the payments and changed your position for the worse[cfr507]. If you were at fault, a waiver is not possible, but a lower rate still is. Ask on SSA-632-BK (edition 06-2025)[ssa632].
- No deadline, but timing matters. Asked within 30 days of the notice, SSA does not withhold until its first waiver decision; asked later, withholding already started is paused until the decision[cfr506].
- A conference before any denial. If SSA cannot approve the waiver from the papers, it offers a file review and a personal conference, in person, by phone or by video, at least 5 days after the file review[cfr506].
SSA-561: ask for reconsideration
Reconsideration is the appeal you use when you think there was no overpayment or the amount is wrong, and it must be asked within 60 days of receiving the notice, which counts as 5 days after the date on it unless you show otherwise[cfr909][cfr901]. A late request can be accepted for good cause. With a letter dated November 2, 2026, the last day is January 6, 2027. You can ask for a waiver at the same time.
SSA-634: a lower repayment rate
SSA-634 asks SSA to take back less each month when you agree you owe the money but cannot meet necessary living expenses at the default rate; SSA can agree to a lower rate[em25029][ssa634]. The form (edition 12-2023) asks for your assets, monthly household income and expenses, and documents no older than three months, such as a lease, recent bills and bank statements. For example, a $6,000 overpayment repaid at $150 a month takes 40 months instead of 7 at the default.
If SSA says no
After a reconsideration decision you can ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge within 60 days of receiving it, on form HA-501, and then for Appeals Council review within 60 days[cfr933]. A waiver can be asked for at any time, even after a reconsideration is denied. For related SSA forms see Form SSA-44 (Medicare IRMAA), and for benefit amounts the Social Security calculator and the payment schedule.
Only SSA decides.The forms are free from SSA, and SSA answers questions free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). This page explains the published rules; it is not legal advice.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I get a Social Security overpayment waived?
File SSA-632-BK and show you were not at fault and that repaying would leave you unable to meet necessary living expenses or would be unfair[cfr507]. Asking within 30 days of the letter keeps withholding from starting until SSA decides.
How much will Social Security withhold for an overpayment?
For Title II notices dated on or after April 25, 2025, 50% of the monthly benefit by default; for SSI, 10%[em25029]. You can ask for less on SSA-634.
What is the deadline to appeal a Social Security overpayment letter?
Do I need to pay someone to file SSA-632?
No. SSA-561, SSA-632-BK and SSA-634 are free from SSA, and SSA helps by phone at 1-800-772-1213.
Sources
- EM-25029 REV, Overpayment default withholding rate (50% for Title II notices dated on or after April 25, 2025; SSI 10%)
- 20 CFR § 404.506, When waiver may be applied and how to process the request
- 20 CFR §§ 404.507–404.509, Fault; defeat the purpose of Title II; against equity and good conscience
- 20 CFR § 404.901, Definitions (date you receive a notice: 5 days after the date on it)
- 20 CFR § 404.909, How to request reconsideration (60 days; extension for good cause)
- 20 CFR §§ 404.933 and 404.968, Requesting a hearing and Appeals Council review (60 days each)
- Form SSA-632-BK (06-2025), Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery (form page; OMB 0960-0037)
- Form SSA-634 (12-2023), Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate