If you are denied both reconsideration of the overpayment and a waiver (with or without a personal conference), Social Security can begin taking money from your check.
Social Security can take your whole check until you have paid back the overpayment, but you can ask to them if they can set up a payment plan to pay back a little each month. They will try to set up payments so the overpayment will be paid off in three years.
If the appeal or the waiver are granted after the hearing before the ALJ, you may get back some or all of the money Social Security has taken out of your check.
Because overpayment law is complicated and appeals can be confusing, it is best to talk with a lawyer as early as you can. If you live in Connecticut and have very low income, call the Statewide Legal Services hotline at 860-344-0380 (Central CT & Middletown) or 1-800-453-3320 (all other areas in Connecticut). If you live in another state, you can look for legal aid in your state here.