Is there anyone who has been notified that you owe and overpayment? I DESPERATELY need some advice.

Basically, what has happened is that I have been receiving SSI for my son. I always reported changes in a timely manner like I am supposed to. A month or so ago (I am on my second appeal) I got a letter that I received too much money and have to pay it back. NOW the last letter I got stated that I "did file all changes in household income in a timely manner" but that I am "expected to know that the amount was incorrect". What the heck! Basically they are saying that you were right, we screwed up but you should have known better. First of all, if these people would do their darn job then this wouldn't be a problem; I am not responsible that Jane Doe at Desk #2 got my letter and didn't enter it into the computer. Where does our obligation end? Is it not enough that we are living our lives with a disability? My most recent letter to the SSA stated that overseeing the job of the SSA is not a requirement of eligibility and that just because they screwed up doesn't mean that I have to pay it back because I didn't catch it. Am I in the wrong here because I feel I am so right?

I would love for anyone to share any information as far as references to statues, laws or anything that I can use or quote in my defense as far as right's and responsibilities. Supposed I was illiterate? Suppose I was physically unable to fully understand correspondence from SSA which many people with disabilities are? I guess I would be responsible for overpayment because I don't understand their "calculus-like" formula that they expect you to figure out on the back of your statement. Sheesh!

If anyone has any help or advice I am completely open to it. Thank you for reading this and I look forward to your reply!

Sorry to hear you problems with the government.

My sister always went round and round with SSI because he husband would make to much money one quarter and she would have to pay back money the next quarter.

And at times they would pay her back because they messed up only to tae it back later, sometimes more sometimes less.

It's a crapshoot with the government, so about all you can do is put up with it, because the government's not like any other company or group that gives you something then wants it or part of it back and you can say no, not so with the government, sorry to say.

My sister finally told them that she didn't want her checks anymore because of all the hassle, her husband make good enough money he was always screwing up her SSL payments.

Cat, I am sorry this is happening. I know I would not have understood at all..I am not illiterate, but I can not understand stuff at all.

I hope everything gets cleared up quickly and I am sorry that I have no advise and I hope I am not taking us space with my comment.

Well, that is the point of SSI. To supplement the other income you have available. It is not a guaranteed income like SSDI. When other income goes up, SSI goes down.

One solution for SSI recipients is to always estimate wages high. Always estimate that you are going to make more than you expect. Then, if things go as you expected, you will not be overpaid.

More staff in SSA would help. Rather than adding staff, SSA has added an electronic system. SSI TWR.

Your sister could try this new telephone wage reporting in which once a month she reports the wages on the telephone to a computer. As long as she reports correctly (and doesn't have a cafeteria plan with husband's employer) then the phone report will be sufficient because once a quarter, SSA will match her report with what her employer reported to the state. As long as they match, they are correctly reported. The SSI will be adjusted each month. The report can only be made in the first six days of each month and only for the month before. It is a six day window, but she can do it in her pajamas. Be sure to speak clearly because she is talking to a non-human and no human will hear what she says.

http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/sp...phone-wage.htm

But I can't find the phone number!

Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask them.


BTW, the original post is over 2 years old. Doubtful that person needs cyber advice anymore.