One of the most unfortunate situations for a citizen of the United States is to find themselves without their monthly Social Security check. There are many reasons why we may lose our monthly payment, but it is also true that within these situations we may find that we can recover the payment in some specific way.
If you have lost your monthly Social Security payment, it is advisable to check the main reason and see if it is possible to request the check again, as this is often possible. Therefore, we are faced with an unfavorable situation that we can change in our favor and get the monthly payment back.
How to recover lost Social Security?
Now that it is possible to know exactly why the Social Security Administration might stop paying us the monthly retirement check, we need to know how to get the payment back once our situation is regularized.
Each situation is different, so it is best to see what to do in case we have lost the payment for some of these reasons:
- Excess employment income: If you lost the check because you earned too much before the Full Retirement Age (FRA), benefits resume automatically once you reach that age. You can also notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you reduce your income so that they can evaluate your case.
- Failure to file the appropriate tax return: You must regularize your situation with the IRS and provide the necessary documentation to the SSA. Once you report your income correctly, payment can be reactivated.
- Residence outside the United States: If you were in a country where the SSA did not send payments, you can get your check back when you return to the US or to a country where payment is allowed. In some cases, you must submit a formal request for them to resume sending payments.
- Criminal convictions or imprisonment: After leaving prison, you must notify the SSA and present proof of your release in order for payments to be reinstated. You may need to fill out a form and go to a Social Security office.
- Fraud or false information: If the check was canceled because incorrect information was provided, you can try to appeal the decision and present evidence that clarifies the error. If the fraud was intentional, it is unlikely that the benefit will be recovered.
- Failure to respond to the SSA: Contacting the SSA as soon as possible and providing the requested information can help to recover the payment without further problems.
- Death of the beneficiary: If it was a mistake and the beneficiary is still alive, it is essential to go to a Social Security office with proof of identity to correct the situation.
In any case, it is best to contact the Social Security Administration directly and ask what can be done in your situation, as there may be something beyond your control.