Social Security child-in-care benefits with PCA income - worried about potential overpayment

You're right to be concerned about this. The earnings limit for beneficiaries under FRA in 2025 is $22,320, and if you go over that, SSA reduces benefits $1 for every $2 earned above the limit. It sounds like you've already hit that threshold through your PCA work. Unfortunately, "the computer does the calculations" is a poor explanation, but there's some truth to it. The SSA systems often don't adjust benefits in real-time because they rely on earnings reports that may have delays. I strongly recommend: 1. Document everything - keep records of your calls to SSA 2. Put the excess payments in a separate account if possible - don't spend them 3. Send a written statement about your earnings to your local office 4. Request an appointment with a Claims Specialist who can actually review your record Child-in-care benefits with the earnings test can be complex, especially with PCA income for your own child.

I was in almost the EXACT situation 2 years ago!!! Was getting survivor benefits for having my disabled daughter at home and also worked as her PCA. The SSA computer didnt catch it and kept paying me for like 5 months after I went over the limit. Then BAM! Got hit with a $7500 overpayment notice. So frustrating!!!

This is a common issue with the SSA's earnings enforcement. The system that calculates benefit reductions based on earnings doesn't always process information in real-time. Here's what's happening: For PCA income specifically, it sometimes gets coded differently in their system, especially if it's through a state program rather than traditional employment. This can delay when the earnings enforcement system recognizes it. You should immediately: 1. Submit an SSA-795 (Statement of Claimant) at your local office detailing your work activity and earnings 2. Provide pay stubs or earnings statements showing your year-to-date income 3. Request a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) to see what earnings are currently showing in their system The child-in-care benefit is valuable but must follow the earnings test rules if you're under Full Retirement Age. Don't spend the extra payments as you'll likely face an overpayment notice when their system catches up.

just keep the money in seprate acct and dont spend it. theyll catch up evetually and want it back but atleast you'll hve it ready. thats what i did when they overpayed me last yr

I spent three HOURS on hold with Social Security last week trying to fix an issue with my husband's benefits. Finally got through by using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an actual SSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of the endless hold. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU For something complicated like your situation with the child-in-care benefits and PCA income, you really need to talk to someone who knows what they're doing at SSA, not just the first person who answers. Definitely worth trying to get through to a specialist who can actually help rather than giving you the "computer does the calculations" brush-off.

This whole system is RIDICULOUS!!! They make it impossible to do the right thing. When you try to report income properly, they brush you off, then later hit you with overpayment notices and expect you to have thousands saved to pay them back! And these are the same people who take MONTHS to process basic paperwork. The right hand has no idea what the left hand is doing at SSA. I tried to report my husband's work last year and got different answers from THREE different representatives. Then they overpaid us and acted like it was OUR fault!

One critical point about PCA income for your own family member: depending on your state's program, there may be special rules about how this income is counted for Social Security purposes. Some state Medicaid-funded PCA programs have specific exclusions or different reporting requirements when the care is for a family member. This might explain why the SSA system hasn't adjusted your benefits yet. When you speak with an SSA representative, specifically ask about how your state's PCA program interacts with the earnings test for child-in-care benefits. This is a specialized situation that not all representatives will be familiar with. If you're concerned about the overpayment, you can also proactively request a voluntary benefit suspension until this is sorted out.

omg i remember when I got slapped with an overpayment notice for $12k from SSA because of some weird calculation with my sons SSI and my work. i fought it for like 8 months and they eventually reduced it but it was such a nightmare. document EVERYTHING. save all letters, take notes of every call with who you talked to and what they said. trust me on this one!!

Based on everything you've shared, I recommend taking these specific actions: 1. Visit your local SSA office in person (make an appointment first) and bring: - All pay stubs showing your PCA income year-to-date - A written statement detailing your work activity - Your concerns about potential overpayment 2. Request to speak with a Technical Expert or Claims Specialist specifically about the interaction between child-in-care benefits and the earnings test 3. Ask for a written explanation of how your specific state's PCA program income is counted for earnings test purposes 4. Consider requesting voluntary suspension of benefits until this is resolved 5. Set up an SSA online account if you haven't already to monitor your benefits The child-in-care benefit is subject to the annual earnings test, but there can be complexities with how certain types of income are counted. Getting clear documentation now will help protect you later.