Social Security miscalculated my benefit by $20 after conversion from SSDI - can I get backpay without a lawyer?

You're absolutely right to pursue this. The SSA should automatically issue any underpayment they discover, regardless of the amount. When your benefits converted from SSDI to retirement at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), they should have recalculated your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) based on any additional earnings you had while receiving disability. Since you mentioned working part-time, those earnings likely increased your benefit calculation slightly. You don't need a lawyer for this. Call SSA and specifically request an "underpayment review." Reference both letters and explain that you believe you're due retroactive payment for the months you received the lower amount. Ask them to document your request in your file. If the phone representative isn't helpful, you can also visit your local office with both letters and request the review in person.

same thing happned to me last year but mine was $12 difference. i never got backpay even after asking multiple times. the lady at ssa told me there's a minimum threshold for automatic backpay but i could appeal for it. i didnt bother cause it was only like $200 total.

The SSA rep you spoke to was WRONG! There is absolutely NO minimum threshold for underpayments. I worked for Social Security for 22 years and I processed underpayments as small as $1.40 before! The problem is getting through to someone who knows what they're doing. What likely happened is that when your benefits converted from disability to retirement, the system triggered a recalculation based on your work activity while on SSDI. This is standard procedure. The error is in not automatically processing the underpayment for prior months. You need to call and specifically request to speak with a Claims Specialist (not just any rep) and ask for an "underpayment review" based on the notice you received. If they give you pushback, request to speak with a supervisor. The technical term you want to use is "AERO recalculation underpayment" - that might help get through to someone who understands the issue.

good luck getting thru to anyone at social security!! i tried for 3 weeks straight and kept getting the busy signal or disconnected after waiting for 2 hours... complete nightmare

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but technically speaking, they're NOT REQUIRED to issue retroactive payments for such a small amount. It falls under what's called "administrative tolerance" - although you're entitled to it, they have discretion for small amounts. You can certainly push for it, but here's what might be more effective: file a formal Request for Reconsideration (Form SSA-561) specifically about the lack of retroactive payment. This starts the official appeals process, which means someone different will review the decision. The local office will sometimes just pay it rather than process all the paperwork an appeal requires. Also, make sure the calculation itself is correct. If you worked while on SSDI, those earnings might have increased your benefit calculation when converting to retirement.

When my husband's SSDI converted to retirement back in 2023, we had a similar issue but it was because they had the wrong earnings record on file for a few years. Definitely request a copy of your earnings record online through your my Social Security account to check if everything is correct there. Might explain why the calculation changed.

Just to add one more thing - if you're going to pursue this, do it NOW. There's a 60-day deadline to appeal issues once you receive a notice. The fact that you got the second letter about the recalculation starts that 60-day clock. After that window, it gets much harder to resolve.

the whole system is rigged. they miscalculate on purpose hoping most ppl wont notice or will give up fighting for whats owed to them. $25 times thousands of people equals millions they save by "accidentally" underpaying!!

I had success getting a small backpay amount (about $175) by going IN PERSON to my local SSA office. Brought all my paperwork and explained the situation calmly. The rep was really helpful once I was face-to-face. Sometimes that personal touch makes all the difference versus trying to handle it over the phone.

Just a quick update on what I mentioned earlier - if you do go to the local office, make sure to bring: 1. Both letters showing the conversion and the recalculation 2. Your ID 3. Any documentation of your work history while on SSDI 4. A simple written statement of what you're requesting (this helps them document it properly) You might also want to print out your recent payment history from your my Social Security account to show the payment amounts you've received. The more organized you are, the easier it is for them to help you resolve it quickly.

I'm dealing with something very similar right now! My SSDI converted to retirement benefits in January and I just got a notice that my monthly amount should be $18 higher. When I called about backpay, the representative told me the same thing about "small amounts" not being eligible for retroactive payment. Reading through these responses has been so helpful - especially learning about requesting a "Claims Specialist" and using the term "AERO recalculation underpayment." I had no idea there were specific terms that might help get through to someone who actually understands these issues. Has anyone else noticed if the timing of when you call makes a difference? I've been trying to call first thing in the morning but still getting those long wait times everyone mentioned.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! My SSDI converted to retirement benefits last month and I just discovered they've been underpaying me by $31 monthly for the past 4 months. When I called, the first representative told me there was a "$50 minimum" for backpay (which sounds completely made up based on what Sydney Torres shared about processing $1.40 underpayments!). What really helped me was calling back and specifically asking to speak with a "Claims Specialist" like Sydney suggested. The second person I talked to was much more knowledgeable and actually initiated an underpayment review on the spot. She explained that my part-time work while on SSDI had increased my benefit calculation when it converted to retirement, which is exactly what happened to you. For anyone else dealing with this - don't give up after the first phone call! The representatives seem to have very different levels of knowledge about these conversion issues. I'm still waiting to hear back about my backpay, but at least I have a case number now and someone who understood what I was talking about. Also, calling right at 8am when they open seemed to work better than afternoons - I got through in about 45 minutes instead of the 2+ hours I was waiting later in the day.