ACCOUNT CRISIS: Mom urges parents to check after Social Security child payments dropped $500 – it was second change in 8 days

According to THE SUN, A mother, Lindsey Rubly, recently shared her frustrating experience with child support and Social Security payments on Facebook, seeking advice from a support group for parents of children with autism. Rubly reported that her usual monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment of $463 unexpectedly increased to $497 at the beginning of 2024. However, this increase came with a problem.

Rubly claimed that she was later informed of an alleged overpayment in her child support, despite providing evidence that she had not been overpaid. The situation was compounded when her daughter’s Social Security benefits were raised to $732, but her child support payments were subsequently reduced to $260.

Discrepancies and Confusion

Rubly expressed her confusion over the rapid changes in her financial situation, noting that her current income was less than what she had previously earned. “They make both of these changes within eight days apart,” Rubly wrote. She also mentioned that her child support payments had remained unchanged for four years.

In response to her post, fellow Facebook users shared similar experiences. One user complained about frequent issues with Social Security payments, while another reported receiving a notice of a $30,000 overpayment.

Advice from the Community

Several Facebook users advised Rubly to schedule an appointment with her local Social Security office and bring her bank statements as proof of income. They suggested that she should not handle the matter via phone but rather in person.

Also read: Hot Weather Continues: Isolated Storms Possible in the Forecast

One user mentioned that if her son received an overpayment notice on his SSI, the SSA is not allowed to take the full amount at once but must divide it into monthly payments. They also advised bringing copies of important documents to the appointment for SSA’s records.

Options for Addressing Overpayment

Another recommendation was to submit a form requesting a waiver of the overpayment. This form prompts the SSA to reconsider the overpayment decision, potentially leading to an appeal and a halt in collection efforts. However, in some cases, beneficiaries might still be required to repay the amount at adjusted rates.

More Social Security Issues Shared

Rubly’s post resonated with others who had faced similar issues. One individual mentioned receiving a letter about a $3,000 overpayment and wondered if a lawyer was necessary. This overpayment was dated from May 2020, and some speculated it might be related to a stimulus check received during the pandemic.

Additionally, stories of overpayments varied widely, with one person reporting a $10,000 charge due to Medicaid purchases and another describing an $80,000 overpayment notice, claiming it was a mistake by Social Security.