Author: U.S. Social Security Administration
Published: 2025/03/21
Publication Type: Announcement
Topic: Disability Benefit Cheats – Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis – Introduction – Main – Insights, Updates
Synopsis: SSA resumes collecting OASDI and SSI debts via Treasury Offset, impacting 280,000 individuals. Learn how this affects beneficiaries and available repayment options.
Why it matters: This report details the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) immediate resumption of debt collection through the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) after a suspension since March 2020 due to COVID-19 economic challenges. The program, in place since 1992, allows the federal government to recover delinquent Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) debts by intercepting federal and state payments. Before the suspension, SSA had reclaimed nearly $2 billion through this process. With collections restarting, approximately 280,000 individuals with a collective $2.7 billion in debt will be affected. This information is particularly relevant for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those receiving SSA benefits, as it underscores the importance of staying informed about repayment obligations and available options. – Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) yesterday announced the immediate resumption of debt collection activities through the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) for debts accrued prior to March 2020. This decision comes after a suspension of collections due to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Item
The Treasury Offset Program, administered by the Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service, is a centralized program designed to collect delinquent debts owed to federal and state agencies by intercepting Federal and state payments. Since 1992, SSA has referred delinquent Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) debts to TOP as mandated by law.
Prior to the suspension in March 2020, SSA had successfully collected almost $2 billion in previously unrecoverable delinquent debt through TOP. The program is essential for maintaining the integrity of the OASDI and SSI programs.
“Resuming collections through the Treasury Offset Program is a critical step in our commitment to being good stewards of taxpayer funds and ensuring the integrity of our programs,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We are dedicated to recovering overpayments while providing individuals with the necessary information and options to address their debts.”
The Department of Treasury has begun collecting debts SSA referred to Treasury before March 2020, impacting an estimated 280,000 individuals with a collective debt balance of $2.7 billion.
Editorial Note: While SSA’s decision to resume debt collection may be seen as a necessary measure to preserve program integrity, it raises concerns for vulnerable populations still recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic. Transparency, accessible dispute resolution, and hardship accommodations will be crucial in ensuring fairness as collections resume. – Disabled World (DW).
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by U.S. Social Security Administration and published on 2025/03/21, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, U.S. Social Security Administration can be contacted at ssa.gov NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
Citing and References
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Cite This Page: U.S. Social Security Administration. (2025, March 21). SSA to Collect Old-Age, Survivors, Disability Insurance, and SSI Debts. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved March 21, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/social-security/cheats/ssa-debts.php
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