Social Security Update as Overpayment of $84,000 Waived

A man has had his entire Social Security debt wiped after the government agency admitted he did not owe them any money at all.

Michigan resident Dave Wilder was one of many Americans claiming benefits from the Social Security Agency (SSA) who have been told they owe thousands of dollars in overpayments. He had previously received a notice telling him he owed a staggering $84,000 and that his benefits would be cut off.

The government agency has come under serious scrutiny in recent months after several investigations found the agency is demanding billions of dollars back from beneficiaries, many of whom are among the most vulnerable people in the U.S., such as those on low incomes, retirees, widows and those with disabilities. Overpayments arise from the agency making a mistake in calculating benefit amounts or from beneficiaries failing to comply with requirements, intentionally or otherwise. Newsweek has contacted the Social Security Administration for comment, but the agency has previously told Newsweek it does not discuss individual claimants or cases.

"It was so overwhelming, and I was like, 'Is this real?'" Wilder told 13 On Your Side. His wife Rose said that when the demand came through in November this year, her husband "didn't eat for almost two days," describing her husband as "depressed and scared".

But less than a month later, they received a phone call from an SSA agent, who informed him he didn't have to pay anything at all. Wilder said a later explanation from the SSA cites that his yearly average was within the limits for hours worked and that no repayment is necessary.

"I was talking to her on the phone. I didn't know which way this was going, and then she said that 'there was determined there was no overpayment, and you're not obligated for any kind of repayment,'" he recounted.

"When he hung up, he couldn't breathe for like, a minute, minute and a half. He was just so overwhelmed with emotion. You just saw it drop right off his shoulders," said his wife.

Despite receiving the excellent news that they were not in tens of thousands of dollars of debt as previously thought, the couple has spoken out about their experience in a bid to help others. Wilder said: "They don't seem to take into account the human element that they're dealing with, people and emotions, and people that have worked their whole life."

"We're just hoping that this brings awareness to other people, that you have to call in, you have to fight for your rights. Otherwise, you're just gonna get walked on," said his wife.

The SSA has previously told Newsweek it is evaluating its policies when it comes to collecting overpayments. Previous reporting from Newsweek has found recipients being hit with enormous bills are experiencing serious distress, with some getting demands similar in value to the Wilder family.

Do you work for the SSA and have a story to tell? Email a.higham@newsweek.com