Effective Dates: 10/15/2024 - Present Previous | Next

TN 122 (10-24)

SI 02220.005 Documenting the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Overpayment

A. Background of documenting SSI overpayments

  1. 1. 

    When we pay an SSI recipient more than the amount that they are due for a month or more, the recipient is overpaid. We must notify the recipient (and their representative payee) of the overpayment. We must then dispose of the overpayment by making one or more of the following overpayment disposition decisions:

    • •

      Recover the overpayment,

    • •

      Waive the overpayment; or

    • •

      Make a determination that the overpayment did not exist, and is erroneous or uncollectible. For information on what constitutes an overpayment, see SI 02201.005.

  2. 2. 

    The overpayment disposition decision reflects how we dispose of an overpayment.

  3. 3. 

    Regardless of the amount of the overpayment, we must document all overpayment disposition decisions on the Supplemental Security Record (SSR).

  4. 4. 

    Technicians must document the rationale for all non-collect overpayment disposition decisions in the case file. For a complete list of non-collect overpayment disposition decisions, see SI 02220.005C.3.a. Additionally, technicians must obtain management review and concurrence on non-collect decisions for overpayments of more than $2,000.

  5. 5. 

    Managers must document their review and concurrence with non-collect decisions on overpayments of more than $2,000.

B. Types of overpayment documentation

1. Field office (FO) SSR documentation

  1. a. 

    Regardless of the overpayment amount, we must first determine all months for which the recipient was overpaid (the overpayment period). For overpayment period information, see SI 02201.005C.4. and SM 01311.035D. Document the final disposition of each overpayment sequence on the SSR you are taking action on, including any notice, collection, transfer, or appeal decision, by posting it through Direct SSR Update.

  2. b. 

    For original overpayments of $2,000 or less, the FO technician (Claims Specialist (CS)/Customer Service Representative (CSR) or higher) selects the applicable overpayment disposition decision on the overpayment decision (UOPD) screen in Direct SSR Update.

  3. c. 

    The following table lists all possible overpayment decisions found on the UOPD screen (MS 00304.008) with corresponding policy instructions.

    Overpayment Decision

    SM

    SI

    1=WAIVER

    SM 01311.422

    SM 01311.423

    SM 01311.424

    SI 02260.000

    2=APPEAL

    SM 01311.423

    SM 01311.424

    SI 02220.001

    3=RECOVER BY CHECK ADJUSTMENT

    SM 01311.120

    SM 01311.125

    SI 02220.001

    4=UNWILLING TO REPAY

    SM 01311.200

    SM 01311.205

    SI 02220.050

    5=UNABLE TO REPAY

    SM 01311.200

    SM 01311.205

    SI 02220.050

    6=UNCOLLECTIBLE

    SM 01311.280

    SM 01311.285

    SI 02220.053

    7=ERRONEOUS

    SM 01311.280

    SM 01311.285

     SI 02301.315

    8=UNABLE TO LOCATE/OUT OF COUNTRY

    SM 01311.200

    SM 01311.205

    SI 02220.051 or SI 02220.050

    9=OVERPAYMENT TO BRING FORWARD

    SM 01311.350

    SI 02220.011

    10=RECOVER BY INSTALLMENTS

    SM 01311.235

    SM 01311.240

    SI 02220.025

    11=COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT

    SM 01311.290

    SM 01311.295

    SI 02220.030

    12=INCORRECT OVERPAYMENT

    SM 01311.340

    SM 01311.345

    SI 02201.010 or SI 02201.020

    13=RECOVER FROM TITLE II BENEFITS

    SM 01311.255

    SM 01311.261

    SI 02220.020

    14=REFERRAL TO DOJ (CIVIL SUIT)

    SM 01311.220

    SI 02220.035

    15=REFERRAL TO OIG

    SM 01311.220

    SI 02220.036

    16=REFERRAL TO TREASURY

    SM 01311.220

    SI 02220.040

    17=BANKRUPTCY

    SM 01311.220

    SI 02220.040
  4. d. 

    If the debtor resides outside the US

    1. 1. 

      If the debtor resides in a foreign country, post a DM TAC (SM 01311.200) to indicate that we are unable to locate the debtor, or the debtor is out of the country.

    2. 2. 

      If the debtor resides in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, post the new residence address.

      • •

        Post the new address (the system will automatically post the jurisdictional FO code (DIS) to the SSR; and

      • •

        Transfer the case in MSSICS to the Downtown Manhattan FO, using FO Code “109.”

2. FO case file documentation

  1. a. 

    Technicians must document non-collect overpayment disposition decisions of any amount, and requests for change in recovery rate on the Report of Contact screen. List the overpayment:

    • •

      Period;

    • •

      Amount;

    • •

      Recovery rate requested;

    • •

      Sequence number;

    • •

      Sequence date;

    • •

      Disposition decision; and

    • •

      Reason for the disposition decision.

  2. b. 

    For non-MSSICS cases, document the information shown above on form SSA-5002, and fax the SSA-5002 and all related documents into the non-disability repository for evidentiary documents (NDRED). For NDRED information, see GN 00301.322.

    NOTE: Do not use Form SSA-8108 (SSI Overpayment and Disposition Determination) to document the overpayment disposition because it is obsolete.

  3. c. 

    For waiver decisions, follow specific waiver documentation requirements in SI 02260.001.

  4. d. 

    See SM 01311.125 for changing the recovery rate for check adjustment, and MS 00304.008 (UOPD) for changing overpayment decision amount.

C. When an overpayment decision requires or does not require management review and concurrence

Whether an overpayment decision requires FO management (or higher) review depends on the original overpayment amount. Use the chart in SI 02220.005C.7 in this section to determine the level of management review required when fraud is not involved.

1. Overpayment collect decisions do not require management review

  1. a. 

    We are required to attempt to recover overpayments to recipients, regardless of the amount. Therefore, overpayment collect decisions do not require management review. Since a decision to deny a waiver is a decision to attempt collection of the overpayment, waiver denial decisions also do not require management approval.

  2. b. 

    Technicians will document the rationale for collect decisions during a personal conference when the liable person requests a waiver and the technician cannot approve the waiver. See SI 02260.001 for waiver information or SI 02260.006 for personal conference information.

  3. c. 

    Technicians will document the rationale for collect decisions during a case review or formal/informal conference when the liable person (or his or her representative) requests an appeal and the technician cannot grant the appeal. For information on overpayment appeals, see SI 02220.017.

  4. d. 

    Collect decisions include:

    • •

      Recover by check adjustment;

    • •

      Recover by installments; and

    • •

      Recover from Title II benefits.

For more information on the overpayment recovery process, see SI 02201.005.

2. Non-collect decisions on overpayments of $2,000.00 or less do not require management review and concurrence

  1. a. 

    If the original overpayment (not the balance after a collect decision) is $2,000 or less (and we have determined that the recipient was not at fault in causing the overpayment), and the recipient requests that we waive recovery of the overpayment, the CS, CSR, or TSC-CSR may waive the overpayment administratively and without management review. For FO administrative waiver instructions, see SI 02260.030C.6. For instructions on TSC overpayment processing, see TC 26010.000.

  2. b. 

    If the original overpayment is $2,000 or less and the recipient was at fault in causing the overpayment, a waiver decision is not applicable, however, another non-collect decision (unwilling/unable to repay, uncollectible, or unable to locate/out of country) may apply. Management review is not required.

3. Non-collect decisions on overpayments of $2,000 or less do not require management review and concurrence

  1. a. 

    FO CSs and CSRs may make non-collect decisions on overpayments of $2,000 or less without obtaining management review and concurrence. Non-collect decisions include:

    • •

      Waiver;

    • •

      Unwilling to repay;

    • •

      Unable to repay;

    • •

      Uncollectible;

    • •

      Erroneous;

    • •

      Unable to locate/out of country; and

    • •

      Incorrect overpayment.

  2. b. 

    Technicians may need to refer a case to another SSA component, such as the administrative law judge (ALJ), or another agency, such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), or the Department of Treasury (Treasury) for a hearing or other decision before making an overpayment decision. Referral “decisions” include:

    • •

      Appeal;

    • •

      Referral to DOJ (Civil Suit);

    • •

      Referral to OIG;

    • •

      Referral to Treasury; and

    • •

      Bankruptcy.

4. Non-collect decisions on overpayments of more than $2,000 but not more than $35,000 require management review and concurrence

a. FO manager reviews, provides concurrence, and documents the review and concurrence

FO Management (Operations Supervisor (OS), Management Support Specialist (MSS) or manager) must review and concur with all overpayment non-collect disposition decisions on original overpayments of more than $2,000 but not more than $35,000, through a 2-PIN process.

b. The 2-PIN process

After the technician selects an overpayment disposition decision via the UOPD, the OS, MSS, or manager takes these actions:

  • •

    Reviews the non-collect decision for technical accuracy and conformance with POMS instructions;

  • •

    Documents the required management review for MSSICS cases, using the Report of Contact screen. For non-MSSICS cases, document the required management review on form SSA-5002, fax the SSA-5002 and all related documents into the non-disability repository for evidentiary documents (NDRED);

  • •

    Briefly states that they reviewed the proposed overpayment decision for technical accuracy, conformance with POMS instructions, and concur with the disposition;

  • •

    Accesses the Direct SSR Update using their own PIN; and

  • •

    Completes the Decision Approval (UODA) screen on the same day as the CS or CSR, and enters their disposition decision on the UOPD.

c. FO manager reviews but does not provide concurrence

If the FO manager does not concur with the disposition decision, they return the case to the CS or CSR for further action.

d. Exceptions to the 2-PIN process:

  • •

    Overpayments under Recovery and Collection of Overpayments (RECOOP) system control;

  • •

    Overpayment disposition decisions made in the Payment Centers (PCs). PCs follow the instructions in GN 02210.217.

e. Exceptions to management review and concurrence of non-collect decisions on overpayments greater than $2,000

  • •

    Court decisions, e.g., administrative law judge (ALJ) waiver approvals, overpayment decision reversals, and overpayments discharged in bankruptcy court. See SI 02220.040 for more information regarding overpayment recovery and bankruptcy.

  • •

    For instructions on accepting compromise settlement offers, see SI 02220.031.

    NOTE: management review and concurrence is not needed for these cases; however, the 2-PIN process is a systems requirement for non-collect decisions on overpayments greater than $2,000.00.

5. Non-collect decisions on overpayments of more than $35,000 but not more than $100,000 require Regional Office (RO) review and concurrence

  1. a. 

    If the FO manager concurs with the technician’s recommendation of a non-collect decision on an overpayment sequence of more than $35,000 but not more than $100,000, the manager must refer the non-collect decision recommendation to the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management and Operations Support (ARC MOS) for review and concurrence.

  2. b. 

    If the Processing Center (PC) manager concurs with the non-collect decision, they must refer the recommendation to the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Processing Center Operations (ARC PCO).

  3. c. 

    The RO reviewer (ARC MOS, the CDPS Director, a CDPS Supervisory Social Insurance Specialist, or ARC POS) takes these actions:

    • •

      Documents their review using the Report of Contact screen. For non-MSSICS cases, the reviewer documents the required RO review using the NDRED process;

    • •

      Briefly states (on behalf of the ARC MOS) that they reviewed the proposed overpayment non-collect decision for accuracy, conformance with POMS instructions, and concurs with the disposition decision; and

    • •

      Uses their own PIN to post the overpayment disposition decision.

  4. d. 

    If the RO reviewer does not concur with the non-collect disposition decision, they return the case to the FO for further action.

    NOTE: Refer to regional instructions for specific RO review and concurrence procedures.

    e. Exceptions to management review and concurrence of non-collect decisions on overpayments of more than $2,000:

    • •

      Court decisions, e.g., ALJ waiver approvals, overpayment decision reversals, and overpayments discharged in bankruptcy court. See SI 02220.040 for more information regarding overpayment recovery and bankruptcy.

    • •

      For instructions on accepting compromise settlements offers, see SI 02220.031.

      NOTE: RO review and ARC MOS approval are not needed for these cases; however, the 2-PIN process is a systems requirement for non-collect decisions on overpayments of more than $2,000.

6. Non-collect decisions on overpayments of more than $100,000 require referral to the Department of Justice through the ARC MOS

  1. a. 

    With the exception of waiver approvals, for overpayment non-collect decisions on overpayments of more than $100,000, refer the case to DOJ through the ARC MOS following FO management review and concurrence.

  2. b. 

    For complete instructions on forwarding cases to DOJ, see SI 02220.035.

  3. c. 

    Exceptions to management review and concurrence of non-collect decisions on overpayments of more than $2,000:

    • •

      Court decisions, e.g, ALJ waiver approvals, overpayment decision reversals, and overpayments discharged in bankruptcy court. See SI 02220.040 for more information regarding overpayment recovery and bankruptcy.

    • •

      For instructions on accepting compromise settlement offers, see SI 02220.031.

      NOTE: RO review and ARC MOS approval are not needed for these cases; however, the 2-PIN process is a systems requirement for non-collect decisions on overpayments of more than $2,000.

7. Chart of management review requirements when fraud is not involved

Overpayment Decision

Overpayment

Amount

Management Review Requirements

Collect

Any amount

Management review is not required

(Non-Collect):

Waiver (Approved),

Unwilling To Repay,

Unable To Repay,

Uncollectible,

Erroneous, Unable to Locate/ Out of Country, Compromise Settlement, Incorrect Overpayment

$2,000 or less

Management review is not required

Waiver (Approved), Unwilling to Repay, Unable to Repay, Uncollectible, Erroneous, Unable to Locate/ Out of Country, Compromise Settlement, Incorrect Overpayment

More than $2,000 but not more than $35,000

CSR, CS, or higher (recommending). Management review is required (unless an exception to management review, per SI 02220.005C.4.e, applies). An Operations Supervisor (OS), or Management Support Specialist (MSS), or higher, must review and concur with the disposition decision(s).

Waiver (Approved), Unwilling to Repay, Unable to Repay, Uncollectible, Erroneous, Unable to Locate/ Out of Country, Compromise Settlement, Incorrect Overpayment

More than $35,000 but not more than $100,000

CSR, CS, or Higher (recommending). Management review is required (unless an exception to management review, per SI 02220.005C.5.e, applies). An OS, MSS or higher, must review and concur with the disposition decision(s). Mandatory referral to the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management And Operations Support (ARC, MOS) for referrals from the FOs, or Assistant Regional Commissioner for Processing Center Operations (ARC, PCO) for referrals from the PSCs. ARC MOS, the CDPS Director, CDPS Supervisory Social Insurance Specialist, or ARC POS must review and concur with the disposition decision(s).

Waiver (Approved) Unwilling to Repay, Unable to Repay, Uncollectible, Erroneous, Unable to Locate/ Out of Country, Compromise Settlement, Incorrect Overpayment

More than $100,000

CSR, CS (Recommending). Management review is required (unless an exception to management review, per SI 02220.005C.6.c, applies). An OS, MSS Or higher must review and concur with the disposition decision(s). Mandatory referral to DOJ Through ARC MOS. See GN 02215.235D.

NOTE: Do not refer waiver approvals to DOJ.

D. If you suspect the overpayment was due to fraud

  1. 1. 

    Refer the case to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). For instructions on referring fraud cases to OIG, see SI 02201.007.

  2. 2. 

    Post a MO TAC. For instructions for referral to another agency, see SM 01311.220.

  3. 3. 

    Take no further action until OIG contacts you.

  4. 4. 

    If the fraud case is under the jurisdiction of DOJ, post a MJ TAC-referral to the DOJ, Program Integrity, or other agency. For a discussion of posting a MJ TAC, see SM 01311.220 and MS 00304.008.

E. References

  • •

    GN 02215.235 Suspension or Termination of Collection Action for Title II and Title XVI Debts

  • •

    MS 00302.001 Direct SSR Update - Overview

  • •

    MS 00304.001 SSI Overpayment and Underpayment Processing – Overview

  • •

    MS 00304.008 Overpayment Decisions (UOPD)

  • •

    MS 00304.020 Decision Approval (UODA)

  • •

    SI 02201.005 SSI - What is an Overpayment?

  • •

    SI 02201.007 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Overpayment Fraud

  • •

    SI 02220.001 Recovery Procedures for SSI Overpayments-General

  • •

    SI 02220.011 Reconciliation of Overpayment Debt in Terminated Records

  • •

    SI 02220.020 Cross-Program Recovery (CPR) of SSI Overpayments from Monthly Title II Benefits

  • •

    SI 02220.025 Overpayment – Recovery By Refund

  • •

    SI 02220.030 SSI Overpayment – Compromise Settlement

  • •

    SI 02220.031 SSI Overpayment – Processing of Compromise Offers

  • •

    SI 02220.035 SSI Overpayment – Recovery by Civil Suit

  • •

    SI 02220.036 SSI Overpayment for Recovery of Court-Ordered Restitution

  • •

    SI 02220.040 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Recovery Through Bankruptcy Proceedings

  • •

    SI 02220.050 Suspension and Termination of Recovery Efforts from Living Individual

  • •

    SI 02220.051 SSI Overpayment – FO Efforts to Locate an Overpaid Individual in Nonpayment Status

  • •

    SI 02220.053 Suspension and Termination of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Overpayment Recovery Efforts for a Deceased Individual

  • •

    SI 02260.005 Completing the SSA-632BK (Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery)

  • •

    SM 01311.120 Recover by Check Adjustment Decision (D TAC) and Manual Notice Date (C01 Payment Status)

  • •

    SM 01311.125 Establishing and Changing the Recovery Rate for Check Adjustment

  • •

    SM 01311.200 Suspending Collection Using the DB, DC or DM TACs

  • •

    SM 01311.205 Deleting or Changing a DB, DC or DM TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.220 Bankruptcy and Referral to Another Agency – MJ, MO, MS and MT TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.235 Recovery by Installments – G TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.240 Deleting the G TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.255 Manual Cross-Program Recovery of a Title XVI Overpayment from Title II Benefits

  • •

    SM 01311.261 Deleting the K TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.280 Uncollectible and Erroneous Overpayment Decisions – N TAC and NT TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.285 Deleting or Correcting the N TAC or the NT TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.290 Compromise Settlement – Y TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.295 Deleting or Correcting the Y TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.340 Incorrect Overpayment on an Uncorrectable Record – Z TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.345 Deleting the Z TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.350 Overpayment to be Collected on Another Record – Q TAC

  • •

    SM 01311.422 How the System Reacts to a Suspend Billing Code, Waiver Request, and/or Appeal Request

  • •

    SM 01311.423 How to Add, Delete, or Change a Suspend Billing Code, a Waiver, and/or Appeal Request

  • •

    SM 01311.424 Examples of How to Add, Change, or Delete a Suspend Billing Code or Waiver Request

  • •

    VB 02020.005 Collection of Overpayments from Special Veterans Benefits

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0502220005
SI 02220.005 - Documenting the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Overpayment - 10/15/2024
Batch run: 12/14/2024
Rev:10/15/2024