Lawmakers Call on Social Security Administration to Explain Billions in Alleged Overpayments to Elderly and Disabled

Several members of Congress are calling on the Social Security Administration (SSA) to explain billions in overpayments it says beneficiaries were not entitled to receive. Many recipients were elderly, poor, or disabled and have no way to repay the funds.
The SSA recovered $4.7 billion in overpayments in 2022 but ended the year with $21.6 billion still uncollected. In many cases the overpayments were due to government errors.
Beneficiaries described being overwhelmed by demands to repay money they no longer have, including a woman with multiple sclerosis and a legally blind woman who lost her benefits.
Lawmakers from both parties say SSA should fix its systems, stop seeking repayments, and be more transparent about the number of people facing overpayment notices.
Advocates say SSA needs more funding from Congress to improve staffing levels so it can prevent overpayments and not unduly harm vulnerable beneficiaries.

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Posted 9/30/2023, 10:01:37 AM