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August 26, 2021 •By Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated:August 27, 2021
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve expanded the online options for you to repay overpayments. If you have an overpayment debt, you may be eligible to make a full or partial payment using Pay.gov or your bank’s online bill pay option. Pay.gov is a secure online service provided by the Department of the Treasury. Only individuals who are not currently receiving Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income payments, but need to pay back an overpayment, may use this service.
Using Pay.gov to Make Your Payment
Our billing notices now include the Pay.gov website information as well as a new Remittance ID. The Remittance ID is a 10-digit alphanumeric number used instead of your Social Security number for online payments.
You can easily make a payment by following these steps:
- Use the link in your billing notice or visit Treasury’s secure payment site at Pay.gov.
- Enter “Social Security” in the search box.
- Click on “Continue” under the Repay Your Social Security Overpayment Online section.
- Follow the instructions on the following page and click “Continue to the Form.”
- Enter the Remittance ID number found on your billing notice and repayment amount.
- Enter your name, address, and phone number in required fields.
- Follow the remaining prompts to complete your payment.
You will receive an email receipt confirming your payment.
Using Your Bank’s Online Bill Pay Option to Make Your Payment
A second option is to use your bank’s online bill pay feature. You can repay an overpayment debt and have it applied to your overpayment balance the next day. Only individuals who are not currently receiving Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments, but need to pay back an overpayment, may use this service.
You can conveniently make a payment using this option by following these steps:
- Use your bank or financial institution’s online bill pay option and search for “Social Security Administration” as the Payee.
- Enter the Remittance ID number found on your billing notice as your “Account Number” and your mailing address.
- Enter the desired repayment amount and indicate whether you would like it to be a recurring payment.
- Follow the remaining prompts to complete your payment.
These new payment options provide secure and convenient online ways to meet your needs. You can learn more on our Pay an Overpayment page. Please share this information with your friends and family—and post it on social media.
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Tags: General Information, online services, Social Security benefits
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About the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Comments
Scott
If the account number on the overpayment payment stub is your Social Security Number, is this the correct number to use?
Shirley T.
I was told that they would be taking my whole check for almost 2years for a overpayment..so does that mean that I will loose my medicare ..I have the letter from the judge saying I am disabled so do they just keep my check or am I no longer on SSDI
Ann C.
Hi, Shirley.For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact yourlocalSocial Security office. We hope this helps.
Nelson B.
If I’m not receiving SS benefits or SSDI payments, then how can I get an over-payment?
Nelson B.
Sorry, make that SSI payments.
Vivian M.
Is there a way to auto pay my overpayments? Tring to remember to pay every month is hard work. I take care of 2 elderly mothers and still my autistic son, plus work 60+ hrs. a week. It is bad enough that I have to pay this money back. It was never proven I was over paid. But with all on my plate, I have chosen to pick my battles and just pay it. But there has got to be an easier way then going into SSI every month.
Reginald E.
Hello I am begging someone to contact me. My local office in Poughkeepsie NY does not answer the phone and is closed. I have spoken to mulitple people online and they all make promises no one keeps. PLEASE HELP ME.
Vonda
Hi Reginald, thanks for using our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Evelyn T.
I have been contacting my local social security office regarding an overpayment and have left several messages via voice mail and no one has bothered to return my calls. I even wrote a letter to the Director of the office explaining my situation and expecting a telephone call over three weeks ago and still no phone call. I can’t go to the office without an appointment and I can’t get an appointment because no one will return my calls. I have many questions regarding the overpayment but no one responds. What am I suppose to do? The office is in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Vonda
Hi Evelyn, thanks for using our blog. We apologize for the difficult time you are experiencing working with Social Security. We have referred your complaint to our Office of Operations to follow up and to take corrective action as necessary.
Kimberley H.
Before telling us how to repay overpayments, maybe you should first update and improve the way you notify us of overpayments.
Nowhere in the letters or on the handy little “How we figured your benefits” calculations page is there any mention of what the SOURCE of “Other Income” is or was or when it was received. Only SSI, SSDI and Wages are identified clearly.
Add to this the fact that we get multiple different letters from both our local SS offices and national or regional SS offices, often with conflicting information and different numbers and conclusions, and you begin to see the problem.
If I am being told that I am going to lose a significant amount of my already very low SSI check over a supposed “overpayment”, then I should, at the very least be fully informed about what the source of that overpayment is and when it was supposed to have occurred.
It seems only fair. Also, there should be no deductions allowed from SSI until and unless the recipient has been fully informed of the source of the alleged overpayment and given a reasonable time to dispute it. 10 days during a pandemic and for a population that may well have no access to fax machines or copiers to be able to produce evidence to counter those claims is not sufficient.
Furthermore, while it may be relatively easy to report income from Wages, there is no fast and easy app or online form for reporting any other types of income.
Additionally, when dealing with lump sum distributions such as inheritance or insurance settlement, there should be st least a 90 day grace period from receiving such funds to when they begin to count against the $2,000 asset limits for SSI. Even for those who may be eligible to open an ABLE Account or start a trust or other financial planning strategy, it takes time to figure all those things out.
I was initially told I had 30 days to “spend down” an inheritance of over $9,000, but then after accomplishing this feat within 10 days (certainly not what would be considered a sound financial decision making timeline by any responsible financial planner),
I was then told that I was going to incur an overpayment of not only for the entire amount of my SSI for the month in which I had received the inheritance (the 26th of a 30 day month), but that it would also count against the following month even though I had managed to spend down to below the asset limit by the 5th of the following month. Literally 10 days!!
First of all, a $2,000 asset limit is woefully inadequate when rent alone can be nearly that much! Let alone the fact that people living with disability often have added expenses just to live a normal life. It is high time this limit was raised and the timing of counting these types of income extended to a more reasonable time frame.Nayomi
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C. M.
Very well said. I hope the administration takes the time to read, reply and put a plan into action. Sorry you are having to deal with this during these times.
Francesca D.
I’ve been repaying an overpayment for over 2years
I would like to know when I will complete this.Vonda
For your security, Francesca, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Kimberley H.
Call and ask for an update. Also, if you are on SSI, ask about applying for a Waiver of the remaining balance due to hardship. Depending on how much income you have, you may be able to get the remainder waived especially if you are on SSI. Even if you get SSDI/RSDI, still ask. They may ask you to verify your income and expenses, but it’s certainly worth a shot!
Arnold M.
How do I contact a representative to discuss
my account. Several employees have given me
different information and I have not been able
to speak to one person. Your online service does not apply to my situation. I am expecting a response as soon as possible. I would like to speak to someone in person, or get an appointment for a hearing in your West Covina, California office.Ann C.
Hi, Arnold. Please contact your local Social Security office to discuss your concerns. We hope this helps.
Michelle
I have no idea they sent me some crap about my son being in foster care and I owe for over payments. My son is not in foster care . I’m not paying over payments
Vonda
For your security, Michelle, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
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