Editing Supplemental Security Income (section)

=== Overpayments, underpayments, and missed benefits ===
The Social Security Administration (SSA) indicates that their "greatest payment accuracy challenges occur within the SSI program." Further, the agency notes administering "the SSI program is complicated by the statutory requirement for us to determine SSI eligibility and calculate SSI payments on a monthly basis." Because payment accuracy is sometimes the result of "program requirements themselves", the agency is seeking ways to simplify the program.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Payment Integrity|url=https://www.ssa.gov/finance/2020/Payment%20Integrity.pdf|website=www.ssa.gov}}</ref>

An overpayment occurs when the Social Security Administration pays an individual benefits that they are not eligible for. This may occur if an individual exceeds the income or resource limit for a given month. The overpayment amount is calculated as the difference between the amount that was paid and the amount for which the individual was eligible.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SSA - POMS: GN 02201.003 - Determining a Title II Overpayment Amount - 10/18/2017|url=https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0202201003|website=secure.ssa.gov|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref> To avoid overpayments, individuals should make sure to comply with their reporting responsibilities (e.g., report any new income). Additionally, individuals should be aware of the resource and income thresholds (see above) that determine eligibility. To avoid overpayment, when an individual knows they will surpass a resource or income threshold for a given month, they should proactively report this to the Social Security Administration.

If a beneficiary is not at fault for an overpayment and cannot afford to pay the money back, they can submit a waiver form (SSA-63BK) to prevent overpayment recovery.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Form SSA-632 {{!}} Request For Waiver Of Overpayment Recovery Or Change In Repayment Rate|url=https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-632.html|publisher=Social Security Administration|language=en|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref> "Fault" can be the failure to furnish information which the individual knew or should have known was incorrect, making an incorrect statement they knew to be incorrect, or not returning a payment they knew or could have been expected to know was incorrect.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waiver of adjustment or recovery—without fault.|url=https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/416/416-0552.htm|publisher=Social Security Administration|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref>

An underpayment occurs when the Social Security Administration pays an individual benefits below the amount they are due. Underpayments in SSI often occur if the agency is unaware of changes in a beneficiary's earnings or living arrangements.

Missed benefits occur when an individual is unaware of eligibility for SSI and does not apply. A randomized control trial by SSA found mailing notices to individuals informing them about the SSI program sharply increased applications and benefit awards.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Increasing SSI Uptake Among a Potentially Eligible Population|url=https://oes.gsa.gov/projects/increasing-ssi-uptake/|website=oes.gsa.gov}}</ref> Studies have found that "just over 50 percent" of individuals eligible for SSI receive benefits from the program, which can be attributed to lack of awareness, a complex application process, or a desire not to participate in the program.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Understanding Participation in SSI|url=https://mrdrc.isr.umich.edu/pubs/understanding-participation-in-ssi-3/|website=mrdrc.isr.umich.edu}}</ref>