Social Security's $20 Billion Error Raises Questions in Congress

Members of Congress are demanding answers after it was revealed the Social Security Administration is trying to claw back $20 billion in overpayments.

The SSA regained $4.7 billion of overpayments during the 2022 fiscal year, but ended the year with $21.6 billion still outstanding, according to a report by agency's inspector general.

Social Security benefits are paid to people who have retired, people who are disabled and the survivors of workers who have died. For many, the payments make up the bulk of their income and some recipients have told Newsweek of their fears after being sent letters from the SSA asking for tens of thousands of dollars to be paid back with little notice. One man said he became homeless after the agency sent him a demand for $67,000.

Now, several lawmakers are calling for congressional hearings on the overpayments and for the SSA to stop seeking them back.

Pedestrians walk past the Social Security Administration office in Los Angeles, California, on October 1, 2013. The SSA ended the 2022 fiscal year with $21.6 billion in overpayments still outstanding.FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

"We need to have a hearing," Rep. Mike Carey, an Ohio Republican on the House Subcommittee on Social Security, told Cox Media Group on Monday.