We recover an overpayment by withholding your monthly Social Security check until the overpayment is paid back to us in full. If the overpaid individual is no longer receiving Social Security payments, then we will ask the overpaid individual for a full refund. We also can withhold a Social security payment from another individual currently receiving benefits on the same earnings record.
Note: A Social Security overpayment also can be withheld from a Supplemental Security Income underpayment due the beneficiary.
Also, you may pay an overpayment by check, money order, or credit card; by phone, mail, or in person at your local Social Security. If you prefer to mail your payment, use one of the following mailing addresses:
For Social Security (Retirement, Survivors, or Disability) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) overpayments:
Social Security Administration
P.O. Box 3430
Philadelphia, PA 19122-2992
For Black Lung only overpayments:
Social Security Administration
P.O. Box 32900
Baltimore, MD 21241-2900
For foreign beneficiaries who are overpaid:
Social Security Administration
P.O. Box 17769
Baltimore, MD 21235-7769
If paying back the money would be a hardship, we might accept installment payments or offer a compromise settlement. A compromise is where we accept an amount less than the full overpayment and forgive repayment of the rest of the debt. If you have a question about an overpayment, call us at this toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
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