Confused about SSDI/SSI dual eligibility payment amounts - got both full amounts but know that's wrong

This happens pretty often with concurrent benefits (that's what SSA calls it when you get both SSDI and SSI). When SSDI starts or changes, there's often a lag before SSI is adjusted. The computer systems for the two programs don't talk to each other as well as they should. Typically, it takes 1-3 months for SSI to be adjusted after SSDI begins or changes. Your redetermination in November should help, but the holiday season might delay things further. Make sure you keep documentation of all your calls and visits - note the date, who you spoke with, and what they told you. This will help if they later try to recoup an overpayment. If you want to be proactive, you can calculate what your SSI should be. Take the current SSI Federal Benefit Rate ($943 in 2023), subtract your SSDI ($340), subtract any other countable income, and that's approximately what your adjusted SSI should be. If your state adds a supplement, that would be on top of this amount.

the system is totally broken i went thru this same thing last year!!! they overpaid me for 4 MONTHS then hit me with a $2700 overpayment notice and now they take $73 from my check every month to pay it back. i told them over and over that my payment was wrong but nobody fixed it!!

This is a complex issue that happens frequently. Here's what's likely occurring in your case: When you become eligible for SSDI while already receiving SSI, there's a processing delay because these are handled by different systems within Social Security. The SSDI payment ($340) should reduce your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar (minus the $20 general income exclusion). The timing of your redetermination (Nov 25) was good, but system updates often take 1-2 processing cycles. Since December is already paid, January or February will likely show the adjusted amount. Important: You WILL receive an overpayment notice for the excess SSI you received. Do not spend this money if possible. When the notice arrives, you can request a waiver if repayment would cause hardship, but approval isn't guaranteed. I recommend visiting your local office in person with documentation of your attempts to report this issue. This creates a record that you tried to resolve it, which helps with potential waiver requests.

I've used Claimyr before when I had issues with my concurrent benefits that needed immediate attention. The regular SSA phone line kept disconnecting me after hours of waiting, but Claimyr got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. Definitely worth checking out their site at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU that shows how it works. The agent I spoke with was able to put notes in my file showing I was trying to report the payment error, which helped when I eventually got an overpayment notice.

To answer your follow-up question - yes, you should definitely set aside that extra money if possible. Based on your numbers, you're being overpaid by about $603 per month if you received full SSI plus your SSDI. When you visit the office, ask for a Receipt for Report of Change in SSI/SSDI Status (or similar wording). The exact form may vary, but what's important is getting documentation that you reported the issue. Also get the name of the representative who helps you. One more tip: If you do get an overpayment notice, you have options: 1. Request a waiver (Form SSA-632) if it wasn't your fault and repayment would cause hardship 2. Request a payment plan (Form SSA-634) to repay in small amounts 3. Request reconsideration (Form SSA-561) if you think the overpayment is incorrect The fact that you're trying to resolve this now will help your case.

wait im confused... doesnt SSI and SSDI serve different purposes? why cant u get both? my neighbor gets both i think

Just wanted to say - make SURE you don't spend that extra money! My husband had almost the same situation (but with $412 SSDI) and we spent the overpayment not realizing it was a mistake. Six months later we got hit with a $3,600+ bill from SSA. We're still paying it back three years later. The stress isn't worth it. Put it in a separate account if you can.

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Just started getting SSDI ($280/month) in November while I've been on SSI for about 2 years. December was my first month getting both full amounts and I immediately knew something was wrong. I called SSA three times and got three different stories - one rep said it was normal for the first month, another said they'd "put in a request to fix it" (whatever that means), and the third one basically had no idea what I was talking about. Reading through everyone's responses here, I think I need to follow the advice about going to the local office in person and getting that receipt showing I reported it. The last thing I want is to get hit with a huge overpayment bill later. Has anyone had luck getting the adjustment made faster by going to the office instead of calling? The phone wait times are absolutely ridiculous and half the time they just hang up on me after an hour on hold.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just became dual eligible in November with SSDI of $290/month while continuing to receive full SSI. Like everyone else here, I knew immediately something was wrong when I got both full payments in December. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially the advice about going to the office in person and getting documentation that you reported the issue. I've been putting the extra money in a separate savings account because I'm terrified of getting hit with a massive overpayment bill later. The phone system is completely broken. I've called four times and either get disconnected after waiting forever or get reps who give me completely different information each time. One told me it would "auto-adjust next month" (it didn't), another said I needed to file some kind of report, and the third one acted like concurrent benefits don't even exist. I have an appointment at my local office next Friday and I'm bringing all my documentation plus a list of every call I've made with dates and what each rep told me. Going to specifically ask for that receipt form that proves I reported the overpayment issue. It's so frustrating that we're all trying to do the right thing by reporting these errors but the system makes it nearly impossible to get help!