Fighting Social Security overpayment after SSA office errors - do I have any recourse?

You absolutely have grounds to request a waiver of the overpayment. The key here is that it wasn't your fault - it was SSA's error. Request Form SSA-632 (Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery) immediately. The form asks if the overpayment was your fault and if repayment would cause financial hardship. Based on what you described, you can honestly answer no to the first question and yes to the second. Also, you have the right to request a reconsideration of the overpayment determination using Form SSA-561. This is especially important if you believe the calculation of the overpayment amount is incorrect. As for reporting the Henderson office, you can contact the SSA's Office of the Inspector General to file a complaint about administrative issues. Don't expect immediate action, but it helps create a paper trail.

omg the EXACT same thing happend to me last year!!! the caseworker got my work history all wrong and then they said i owed them $5,800!!! i was like NO WAY am i paying for YOUR mistake! ended up having to get my congressman involved before anything got fixed. dont waste your time with the local office - go straight to your congressperson

This is unfortunately common with SSA. The problem is that even though the error was their fault, they're legally required to recover overpayments regardless of who caused the error. However, there are two important options you should pursue: 1. Request a waiver (Form SSA-632) - This can eliminate the requirement to pay if you can prove it wasn't your fault AND that repaying would cause financial hardship or would be unfair for some other reason. 2. Request a payment plan (Form SSA-634) - If the waiver isn't approved, you can negotiate a minimal monthly repayment amount that won't cause hardship. As for the office issues, you can file a formal complaint through the SSA's website. Go to their online contact page and select "Submit a complaint" from the dropdown menu. This creates a formal record.

I had to deal with a similar nightmare situation! After months of trying to call the SSA with no success (constant busy signals, disconnects after waiting for hours), I finally found out about a service called Claimyr.com that got me through to an actual Social Security representative in under 5 minutes. You can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It saved me so much frustration and I was finally able to get my overpayment situation resolved. Might be worth checking out since you're dealing with such a complex issue that definitely needs a human representative's attention.

The real issue here is that the field offices are DRASTICALLY understaffed and many of the experienced workers retired during COVID. So now you've got new people handling complex cases without enough training or mentoring. Here's what I would do in your shoes: 1. Request a meeting with the Office Manager at Springfield (not Henderson) - they can often resolve issues that regular reps can't 2. File BOTH a waiver request AND a reconsideration request - belt and suspenders approach 3. Keep detailed notes of every interaction - names, dates, what was said 4. Request your case file through a Freedom of Information Act request so you can see exactly what happened In my experience, persistence is key. Don't let them wear you down.

I HATE how they transfer cases between offices without telling you!!! They did this to me TWICE and each time I had to start all over explaining my situation. Total waste of everyone's time! The left hand never knows what the right hand is doing at SSA. And then they have the nerve to demand money back when THEY messed up! Makes my blood boil.

One important thing to know is that if you request a waiver or reconsideration within 30 days of receiving the overpayment notice, they cannot start collecting the overpayment until they make a decision on your request. If it's been longer than 30 days, you can still file these requests, but they may continue collection efforts while making a decision. Also, when you submit your waiver request (SSA-632), make sure to attach a detailed explanation of how the error occurred and why it wasn't your fault. Include any financial information that demonstrates hardship. If you can show that you reported everything correctly and acted in good faith, you have a strong case.

have you tried going on the my ssa website? sometimes u can see more info there than they tell u in person. might show why they think u got overpaid

Update on the waiver process since other commenters mentioned it - the success rate for overpayment waivers has actually increased in the past year due to a class action lawsuit (Steigerwald v. Berryhill). The court found that SSA wasn't properly evaluating waiver requests. When you file your SSA-632 waiver request, make these specific points: 1. The error was entirely caused by SSA staff 2. You attempted to correct the error immediately when discovered 3. You requested benefit suspension but were told it wasn't possible 4. You had no way to know the payments were incorrect 5. Detail exactly how repayment would cause financial hardship This approach aligns with the new evaluation criteria SSA is supposed to be using.

btw if ur gonna drive to springfield make sure u make an appointment first!!! they dont take walk-ins anymore at most offices. learned that the hard way after driving 40 mins

I went through something similar about 18 months ago - SSA error led to overpayment, then they wanted everything back. Here's what worked for me: First, don't panic about the timeline. Even though the 30-day rule exists, they can still approve waivers filed later if you have a good case (which you do). Second, when you file that SSA-632 waiver form, include a timeline of events with dates. Show how you tried to fix things immediately and how their staff gave you incorrect information. This demonstrates "good faith" on your part. Third, if you haven't already, request a copy of your entire case file. You can do this through a FOIA request or sometimes just by asking at the field office. This will show you exactly what mistakes were made and by whom. The fact that Henderson told you suspension "wasn't an option" when it clearly was shows they don't know their own procedures. Document that conversation if you can remember who said it and when. You've got a strong case here - SSA error, immediate attempt to fix it, misinformation from staff, and financial hardship. Stay persistent and don't let them wear you down!

I work as a benefits coordinator and deal with SSA issues regularly - your situation is unfortunately all too common but absolutely fixable. Here's my step-by-step recommendation: 1. **File the SSA-632 waiver ASAP** - Don't worry about the 30-day window being past. I've seen waivers approved months later when there's clear SSA error and good documentation. 2. **Request a "personal conference"** - This is different from a regular appointment. Call and specifically ask for a personal conference with a supervisor at Springfield to discuss your overpayment. They're required to offer this option. 3. **Get everything in writing** - When you meet with them, bring a written summary of events and ask them to document their responses. If they make any commitments, ask for it in writing before you leave. 4. **Contact your state's Protection & Advocacy office** - They often have SSA specialists who can advocate for you at no cost. Much faster than going through congressional offices. The key phrase to use is "administrative error resulting in financial hardship." SSA has specific procedures for these cases that many field office staff don't know about. You shouldn't have to pay for their mistakes, and there are established processes to fix this - you just need to navigate to the right people who know how to use them.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - SSA made errors during my disability review and now they're saying I owe back thousands of dollars that I never should have received in the first place. It's so frustrating when their mistakes become our financial burden! I've been following this thread closely and wanted to add a few things that have helped me: 1. **Document EVERYTHING** - I started keeping a detailed log of every phone call, office visit, and interaction. Include names, dates, times, and exactly what was said. This has been invaluable when different reps give conflicting information. 2. **Ask for supervisor notes** - When you meet with supervisors, ask them to add notes to your case file about what was discussed and any commitments made. This creates an official record that can't be ignored later. 3. **Consider filing a complaint with your state's disability advocacy organization** - They often have more pull with SSA than individual complaints and can sometimes resolve issues faster than the formal waiver process. The system is definitely broken, but don't give up. You clearly have a strong case since this was entirely their error and you tried to fix it immediately. Keep fighting - you shouldn't have to pay for their incompetence!