You're used to your Social Security payments coming like clockwork, maybe so much so that you don't even check your bank account to verify that the deposit came through each month. So when you get a letter from the Social Security Administration saying you've been overpaid and that the government will start withholding 50% of your checks, it's only natural to be alarmed.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize how much you lose from future checks, or maybe even avoid garnishment altogether.

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You can request a lower overpayment recovery rate

You may be able to avoid Social Security garnishment altogether if you have the cash on hand to repay the excess in a lump sum. For many people, this isn't an option, so your next-best bet is to request a lower overpayment recovery rate.

The standard overpayment recovery rate is 50%. So if you receive $2,000 monthly checks, you could lose up to $1,000 per month until you've repaid the excess. This high repayment rate means you'll pay back what you owe more quickly, but it can leave you struggling to get by on half the benefits you're used to.

Fortunately, the Social Security Administration gives you the chance to request a lower overpayment recovery rate if losing half your checks would put you in a financial bind. Even if you only manage to drop the recovery rate to 40%, that would save you an extra $200 per month in our example above.

How to request a lower overpayment recovery rate

You'll need to fill out a Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate form to kick off the process. You'll answer some basic questions about yourself. Then you'll need to provide a detailed picture of your finances, including the value of your assets (home, cars, etc.), monthly household income, and monthly household expenses. There's also a space where you can share any other relevant information the government might need to understand your financial situation.

The Social Security Administration will review your request and, if it approves, it will lower your overpayment recovery rate. Keep in mind that this doesn't change how much you owe. It just reduces how much comes out of your checks each month. It will take you longer to pay back the excess this way, but it may make repayment a little easier to handle.

If you have any questions about the overpayment, whether it's a scam, or how to fill out the form mentioned above, you can contact the Social Security Administration by phone. Or you can make an appointment with your local Social Security office.