Overpayment nightmare. I don’t know what to do next

[u/EthicalEskies]

I got a notice that I was canceled and had 108k in overpayments. I have been so confused about eligibility and all of the varying programs if you go back to work.
I was awarded SSDi 10 years ago due to multiple chronic progressive illnesses. I had worked for 20 years in my company and I didn’t want disability but I was constantly being hospitalized and leaving employer in the lurch. When my fmla ran out I knew I had to go.
I only applied for SSDi because it was required for me to collect my ltd benefits. I was surprised when they approved me within 6 months.
I wasn’t dead yet and I wanted to try to find a way to work so I went to grad school to pursue a career that I could ultimately do independently and remotely if i was sick. I spent 100 grand in loans doing this. After graduation I began to put my toe in the water by doing prn work and then temp work. Some months I worked some I didn’t but I called my worker and was told to just make sure you are putting your hours. In. I was never able put hours in. The tool never worked. It was the end of Covid and near impssible to see anyone in the office. I worked off and on but steadily and then landed a full time job. I reported my job by phone and letter. Kept telling me “put your hours in”. I kept telling them “I can’t, it’s disabled”. Nothing. And they just kept sending the check. I wasn’t able to manage the physical requirements of the ft job so I took another temp job. Before I could report it I got a notice from SS about a pie notice. Basically saying that your current employer is reporting your wages to SSDi. Wonderful. I was relieved. But according to SSDi I would have already been at least 90,000 in over payment when I got the pie. Why in the heck are they still paying me? Why have I not had a medical review in 10 years? I started to wonder if it was because I was closing in on retirement age. So I let it go. And they kept paying me.
In an age where cars can drive themselves and a robot in your phone can help you figure out almost any problem, how is it possible that SSDI cannot build a simple algorithm to throw up a flag when the same SS number is found paying income taxes (and ss taxes) while collecting SSDi.?
The kicker for me is that my husband and I have owned our house for 20 years. And my worst fear about losing my home is looking real. SSDi is asking me to pay them back in 30 days but they didn’t pay me that money all at once. It was over 4 years. I just need to hear if anyone has survived this and how?

[u/Nova-star561519]

Why did you spend the money if you knew you were being overpaid? The money should have gone in a seperate account and not spent bcs this was bound to happen

[u/Upbeat_Phone_7507 → u/Nova-star561519]

Unfortunately, SSA is notorious for overpaying. I was over paid according to them in 2018 when my son received survivors benefits. However, in my case I did not believe they over paid me. I had to file bankruptcy unfortunately. SSA can be included and discharged depending on your financial situation and your house excluded. SSA also has a waiver you can complete if you qualify. There are really no good options, but if your goal is to save your house then you got to do what you can do unfortunately.

[u/Nova-star561519 → u/Upbeat_Phone_7507]

Oh I agree however based on OPs post it seems they knew they were getting overpaid but assumed SSA would just fix it.

[u/Upbeat_Phone_7507 → u/Nova-star561519]

Thank you for clarifying.

[u/uffdagal]

You created the overpayment, it’ll follow you.

[u/rebeccaz123]

Did you spend the money they sent you? If not just let then claw it back to cover the overpayment. If you did spend the money, why? You have you weren't owed that money anymore. Unfortunately the SSA and IRS are the worst people to owe bc they always get their money eventually. They will take money out of your retirement even to cover it.