Wage Reporting and Earnings-Related Overpayments in the Social Security Disability Programs. Status, Implications, and Suggestions for Improvement

摘要

Among Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries who return to work, benefit overpayments are common. An overpayment results when a beneficiary is paid SSI and/or SSDI benefits to which he or she is not entitled. Earned income is the most common reason for Social Security overpayments. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has historically lacked procedures to adequately document beneficiary work activity, and to make adjustments to disability benefit payments in a timely manner. SSA has undertaken a number of recent initiatives to address the issue of overpayments in the SSI program, however, SSAs capabilities for preventing overpayments due to work activity in the SSDI program remain particularly poor.