This is called an Overpayment. You have three choices on how to respond:

  1. If you think that Social Security has made a mistake and did not overpay you, you must respond to request reconsideration within 60 days from the notice of Overpayment. You can request nonmedical reconsideration online at Request reconsideration | SSA (make sure to choose “nonmedical” reconsideration for Overpayment reconsiderations. You can also complete Form SSA-561 – Request for Reconsideration and fax or mail it to Social Security explaining why it is wrong.
  2. If you think that Social Security is correct that you were overpaid, but you cannot afford to pay back the Overpayment, you should respond as soon as possible to request a waiver of the Overpayment. You cannot request a waiver online. To request a waiver by phone, call your local Social Security field office. Visit Field Office Locator | SSA to find the phone number for the Social Security field office nearest you. A list of some Louisiana field office locations is included at the end of this blog post. To request a waiver by mail, complete and submit this form: SSA-632-BK – Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery. However you decide to request a waiver, make sure that you tell Social Security why you cannot afford to pay the Overpayment. To qualify for a waiver, you have to show that the overpayment was not your fault and that you need the income and resources you have to pay your ordinary living expenses. Be specific and include proof wherever possible, like copies of bills.
  3. If you think that Social Security is correct that you were overpaid and you can afford to pay back the Overpayment, but at a lower monthly rate than what Social Security is asking for, then you should respond as soon as possible to request a reduction in the rate of recovery of the Overpayment. To ask Social Security to change your repayment plan by mail, complete and submit this form: SSA-634 – Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate.

New Orleans Social Security Field Office

400 Poydras St, Ste 500

New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone: 1 (855) 257-0987

Fax: 1 (833) 950-3349

Parishes served: Orleans, St. Bernard

New Orleans Westbank Social Security Field Office

115 Terry Pkwy

Terrytown, LA 70056

Phone: 1 (866) 585-9476

Fax: 1 (833) 902-2567

Parishes served: Jefferson (West), St. Charles, Plaquemines

Kenner Social Security Field Office

1616 Joe Yenni Blvd

Kenner, LA 70065

Phone: 1 (888) 850-2232

Fax: 1 (833) 902-2567

Parishes served: Jefferson (East), St. John the Baptist

St. Tammany Social Security Field Office

64285 Hwy 434

Lacombe, LA 70445

Phone: 1 (866) 887-8997

Fax: 1 (833) 939-2009

Parishes served: St. Tammany

Houma Social Security Field Office

178 Civic Center Blvd, Ste 100

Houma, LA 70360

Phone: 1 (866) 748-2071

Fax: 1 (833) 950-3643

Parishes served: Terrebonne, Lafourche

Baton Rouge Social Security Field Office # 1

5455 Bankers Ave

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Phone: 1 (866) 613-3070

Fax: 1 (833) 950-3635

Parishes served: East Baton Rouge, Point Coupee, Livingston, St. James, Ascension, Iberville

Baton Rouge North Social Security Field Office # 2

4332 Harding Blvd

Baton Rouge, LA 70807

Phone: 1 (888) 487-0143

Fax: 1 (833) 950-2383

Parishes served: West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana

Bogalusa Social Security Field Office

438 Avenue B

Bogalusa, LA 70427

Phone: 1 (888) 748-7678

Fax:    1 (833) 902-2566

Parishes served: Washington

Morgan City Social Security Field Office

1279 Clothilde St

Morgan City, LA 70380

Phone: 1 (855) 433-5874

Fax: 1 (833) 950-3651

Parished served: Assumption

Hammond Social Security Field Office

2100 Robin Ave

Hammond, LA 70403

Phone:1 (855) 848-7937

Fax:   1 (833) 950-3645

Parishes served: St. Helena, Tangipahoa

The information provided in this post does not, and is not intended to, represent legal advice. All information available on this site is for general informational purposes only. If you need legal help, you should contact a lawyer. You may be eligible for our free legal services and can apply by calling our Legal Hotline at 1-844-244-7871 or applying online here.