This is called an “overpayment.” As of April 25, 2025, Social Security Retirement and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients will be subject to an automatic 50% recovery rate from their monthly benefit payment. This means that unless you take one of the actions below to challenge the overpayment, Social Security will withhold 50% of your monthly check until the debt is repaid. The 50% automatic recovery rate change applies to new overpayments related to SSDI. The recovery rate for current beneficiaries with an overpayment before April 25, 2025 will not change and no action is required.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the automatic recovery rate will remain at 10% of your monthly benefit unless you take one of the actions below. For example, if your monthly SSI payment is $967 (2025 maximum benefit rate), Social Security will pay you $870.30 until the debt is repaid, unless you take action to challenge the overpayment
Action Steps
- Appeal – Request for Reconsideration. If you think that Social Security made a mistake and did not overpay you, you must appeal by submitting a Request for Reconsideration. In order to continue receiving your full monthly benefit payment, you must appeal within 30 days of the date of your “Notice of Overpayment” letter. If you submit your appeal within 31-60 days, SSA will accept your appeal but begin withholding the automatic recovery rate from your monthly check while your appeal is pending. For SSDI recipients, the automatic recovery rate is 50%, effective April 25, 2025. If you wait more than 60 days to appeal, Social Security will deny your request.
You can request your appeal online at Request Reconsideration | SSA (be sure to choose “nonmedical” reconsideration). Make sure to print or save the confirmation page for your records after you submit your appeal online. You can also complete Form SSA-561 – Request for Reconsideration and fax or mail it to Social Security explaining why the overpayment is wrong. If you mail your appeal, track its delivery status (e.g., send certified mail) to be sure it arrives at Social Security on time. If you fax your appeal, be sure to save the fax confirmation page for your records. Although Social Security has the burden of proving that the overpayment was your fault, you must explain why you believe you were not overpaid in your appeal. Be specific and include proof wherever possible, like copies of your pay stubs.
You can also ask Social Security to waive the debt, as detailed below.
- Waiver Request: If you cannot afford to pay back the overpayment, you can ask for a waiver. There is no time limit in which to request the waiver, but it is best to request one as soon as possible. You cannot request a waiver online. If your overpayment is $2,000 or less, you can request a waiver by calling your local Social Security field office. However, if the debt is over $2,000, you must submit your waiver request in writing using SSA-632-BK – Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery. You can submit the form to Social Security by faxing or mailing it to your local Social Security field office.
Visit Field Office Locator | SSA to find the phone number for the Social Security field office nearest you. Be sure to write down the name and phone extension of the person you speak with. A list of some Louisiana field office locations is included at the end of this blog post.
If you decide to request a waiver, you must clearly explain why you cannot afford to pay back the overpayment. While Social Security has the burden of proving that the overpayment is your fault, you should provide as much proof as you can to show that you need all of the income and resources you have to pay your ordinary living expenses. Be specific and include proof wherever possible, like copies of your bills and grocery receipts. Be sure to record confirmation that your waiver request was delivered (e.g. fax confirmation page, certified mail receipt).
- Request Repayment Rate Change: 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 contact Social Security as soon as possible to request a change in the rate of recovery of the overpayment. To ask Social Security to change your repayment plan by mail or fax, complete and submit this form: SSA-634 – Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate. Be sure to retain confirmation that your waiver request was sent (e.g. fax confirmation page, certified mail receipt).
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