Social Security Overpayment Relief Act

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill 119 HR 2142, also known as the "Social Security Overpayment Fairness Act," aims to amend the Social Security Act to restrict the government's ability to recover overpayments made under titles II and XVI to a maximum of ten years. Currently, the government can seek repayment of overpayments indefinitely, causing financial hardship for individuals who may have received these overpayments unknowingly or due to errors in the system.

The bill seeks to provide relief to individuals who have been burdened by the government's aggressive collection efforts for overpayments that may have occurred years or even decades ago. By limiting the recovery period to ten years, the bill aims to strike a balance between ensuring accountability for overpayments and preventing undue financial hardship for individuals who may have already spent the funds in question.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is a common-sense measure that will protect vulnerable individuals from excessive government collection efforts, while still holding individuals accountable for overpayments within a reasonable timeframe. Critics, however, may argue that the bill could potentially incentivize individuals to intentionally receive overpayments with the knowledge that they will not have to repay them after ten years. Overall, Bill 119 HR 2142 represents an important effort to reform the Social Security Act and provide greater fairness and protection for individuals who have received overpayments under titles II and XVI.