Overpayments are not a pleasant subject when it comes to Social Security benefits, but at least Social Security has taken steps to make repaying overpayments a little bit easier.
Social Security announced it would be offering repayment options online. This may not sound like a big deal, but if you have an overpayment issue with Social Security benefits and need to send money to Social Security it is not as easy as it sounds.
Social Security offices have remained mostly closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so even if you have an overpayment issue you can’t go to a Social Security office to make a payment, so the online option makes things a bit easier. Overpayments happen when Social Security pays a beneficiary an incorrect amount and of course the agency wants its money back. Below is the announcement from Social Security about the online payment option.
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.
