If your Social Security check was smaller than expected this month, you're not alone. Many people are surprised by sudden changes to their benefits. Here's why your payment might have decreased and what you can do.
In this article, we'll cover:
- Common reasons for reduced payments
- SSI-specific reductions
- SSDI-specific reductions
- How to find out why your payment changed
- What to do if there's an error
Common Reasons for Reduced Payments
Medicare Part B premium increase:
- Automatically deducted from SSDI
- Premiums increase most years
- 2026 premium changes in January
- Check your Medicare notice for details
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) timing:
- COLA increases happen in January
- But Medicare increases can offset gains
- Net change may be small or negative
Tax withholding changes:
- If you elected federal tax withholding
- Withholding rates may have changed
- Check your W-4V form elections
Overpayment recovery:
- SSA may be recouping past overpayments
- Usually 10% of your benefit
- Should have received a notice
SSI-Specific Reductions
Income changes:
- Earned income reduces SSI
- Unearned income reduces SSI dollar-for-dollar
- Did you report new income?
Living situation changes:
- Moved in with someone?
- Receiving free food or shelter?
- In-kind support reduces benefits
Resource limit issues:
- Went over $2,000 limit?
- Even briefly affects that month
- Check your bank balance on the 1st
State supplement changes:
- Some states add to federal SSI
- State amounts can change
- Check with your state agency
SSDI-Specific Reductions
Workers' compensation offset:
- WC payments can reduce SSDI
- Combined can't exceed 80% of prior earnings
- Offset recalculated periodically
Public pension offset:
- Government Pension Offset (GPO)
- Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)
- Affects those with non-covered employment
Dependent benefit changes:
- Family maximum limits
- Dependent aged out (turned 18/19)
- Dependent started working
Garnishments:
- Child support
- Alimony
- Federal tax debt
- Federal student loans
How to Find Out Why
Check your my Social Security account:
- Go to ssa.gov/myaccount
- Sign in
- View benefit verification letter
- Check payment history
- Look for notices
Review recent mail from SSA:
- Benefit change notices
- Overpayment letters
- Medicare premium notices
- Review determination letters
Call Social Security:
- 1-800-772-1213
- TTY: 1-800-325-0778
- Ask specifically why payment changed
- Request written explanation
Check your bank statement:
- Verify exact amount deposited
- Compare to previous months
- Note any other deductions
What to Do If There's an Error
Gather documentation:
- Recent SSA notices
- Bank statements
- Pay stubs (if working)
- Living situation proof
Contact SSA promptly:
- Report suspected errors
- Request reconsideration
- File appeal if needed
- Keep records of all contacts
Request written explanation:
- Ask for detailed breakdown
- Get it in writing
- Review for accuracy
- Keep copies
Appeal if necessary:
- You have 60 days to appeal
- Request reconsideration first
- Can request hearing if denied
- Consider getting help
Preventing Future Surprises
Report changes promptly:
- Income changes
- Living situation changes
- Address changes
- Household composition
Check your account regularly:
- Log into my Social Security monthly
- Review benefit amounts
- Watch for notices
- Track Medicare premiums
Keep records:
- Save all SSA correspondence
- Keep pay stubs
- Document living arrangements
- Track resources (SSI)
How Purple Helps
Purple helps you track your benefits:
- See exactly what was deposited
- Compare to previous payments
- Track your payment history
- Get early access to benefits
- No fees reducing your money
With Purple, you always know what hit your account and when.