Social Security payments for July are being distributed as scheduled, reaching over 71 million Americans. But if you’ve been overpaid by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and haven’t started repaying, your monthly benefit could be noticeably smaller starting this month.
The SSA is expected to begin withholding 50% of monthly benefits from individuals with outstanding overpayments beginning in late July 2025. This marks a new phase in the agency’s effort to recover billions in accidental overpayments.
While the SSA hasn’t publicly confirmed how many beneficiaries are affected, records obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request show the agency attempted to reclaim overpayments from about 2 million people in the fiscal year ending September 2023, according to KFF and Cox Media Group.
Who is at risk for withholding?
If you received more money than you were entitled to through Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and haven’t arranged a repayment plan, your benefits could be reduced by half starting this month. This applies even if the overpayment wasn’t your fault.
If you were overpaid: What to know
Under its new policies, the SSA said it would begin issuing overpayment notices on April 25, 2025 and would start withholding 50% of the recipient’s benefits after about 90 days (or approximately July 24, at earliest), until the overpayment is repaid.
Withholding begins: Around July 24, 2025, depending on when you received your overpayment notice.
Waiver requests: You can ask the SSA to waive the repayment if:
The overpayment wasn’t your fault
You can’t afford to repay
Repayment would be unfair
Waiver and repayment information is available on the SSA website.
July 2025 Social Security payment schedule
Most Social Security retirement benefits will follow the regular July distribution calendar:
Thursday, July 3: For those who began receiving benefits before May 1997
Wednesday, July 9: Birthdates between the 1st and 10th
Wednesday, July 16: Birthdates between the 11th and 20th
Wednesday, July 23: Birthdates between the 21st and 31st
July SSI payments
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for July were distributed on Tuesday, July 1. SSI recipients include people 65 or older or those with a qualifying disability and limited income or resources.
What to do if your payment is late
The SSA recommends allowing up to three additional mailing days past your scheduled date before contacting them. About 99% of recipients now receive payments electronically, which helps reduce delays.
Questions about your benefits?
If you believe your check is smaller due to an overpayment or have questions about your status, contact the SSA directly by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) or visit a local SSA office.
Need help locating your nearest SSA office?
A list of regional Social Security offices in New York (excluding NYC and Long Island) is available in the full article.
Contributing: USA Today Network
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Your Social Security check may be smaller this month: Here’s why