Netting is the process through which the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines whether there is an overpayment due to SSA or an underpayment due to the individual. In May 2024, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for POMS SM 01311.160 Automated Netting, SM 01311.165 Manual Netting, and MS 00304.018 Underpayment Processing (“UOUP”).
In August 2024, SSA published POMS SM 01311.160 Automated Netting, SM 01311.165 Manual Netting, and MS 00304.018 Underpayment Processing (“UOUP”) to their website with redactions. Even with sensitive material redacted, these documents shed light on both the automatic and manual netting procedures, as well as the processes for releasing underpayments to SSA beneficiaries.
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