Overpayment Problems

A recent Emergency Message to Social Security staff admits that

Some [Social Security] beneficiaries have had their Title II benefits withheld because their record has been charged with an overpayment that may or may not be correct. Most of the records identified are of individuals that were living in the Katrina Disaster Area in September 2005 and received an Immediate Payment (IP) after the hurricane and have been charged with a Duplicate Check overpayment.

Apparently, the problem is caused by a failure to record returned checks or previous repayments by beneficiaries.