When an individual requests a change in repayment rate, we must always attempt to
negotiate a rate of withholding with the individual, which results in full recovery
of the total outstanding debt within 12 months. We allow the individual to pay a minimum
of $10.00 per month, if we can collect the debt within 12 months. We do not need the
person to provide information about his or her income, assets, or living expenses
if we collect the debt within 12 months.
If we cannot collect the debt within 12 months, negotiate a rate that permits full
recovery within 36 months. The individual must pay a minimum of $10.00 per month.
If the individual requests to extend the debt to 36 months, verbally collect the individual's
allegations of his or her assets, income, and living expenses and document the information
on the Remarks screen in the Debt Management System (DMS). Input the new rate of recovery
in the Reconciling Recovery of Overpayments Accounting and Reporting System (ROAR).
Note: Do not request an SSA-634, Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate, if we
recover the total debt within 36 months.
Example: Documenting a request for a change in overpayment recovery rate on the Remarks screen
in DMS:
Sally Snow‘s overpayment amount is $2,400.00. She requested that we withhold $120.00
per month beginning February 2018. Ms. Snow alleges assets of $0.00, Social Security
benefits of $1,200.00, and living expenses of $1,000.00 per month. Ms. Snow will pay
her debt within 20 months; therefore, I approved her request for partial withholding.
I made the input in ROAR and sent a notice to Ms. Snow on January 6, 2018. – John
Jones FO A12
Note: If the individual receives Title II benefits and Title XVI payments, see GN 02210.045.
If the individual is receiving another type of cash public assistance (e.g. VA service
and non-service related disability pensions, Temporary Assistance for Needed Families
(TANF) (see GN 02250.110)), verify the assistance and withhold at the requested rate but no less than $10.
Document the cash public assistance and withholding request on the Remarks screen
in DMS. Do not ask the individual to complete form SSA-634.