U.S. Reclaims $31 Million in Unjust Social Security Payments Made to Deceased Individuals – One America News Network
OAN Staff Abril Elfi
11:29 AM – Friday, January 17, 2025
The United States Government has successfully recovered more than $31 million in Social Security payments that were incorrectly distributed to deceased individuals.
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On Wednesday, an official remarked that this recovery represents “just the tip of the iceberg.”
A report from the Associated Press indicates that the funds were reclaimed after a five-month pilot program, initiated after Congress granted the Department of Treasury temporary access to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) “Full Death Master File” as part of the omnibus appropriations bill in 2021.
The Treasury noted that the SSA maintains the most extensive federal database of deceased persons, comprising over 142 million records since 1899.
The Treasury anticipates recovering upwards of $215 million between December 2023 and 2026.
“These results are merely the tip of the iceberg,” stated David Lebryk, the Treasury’s Fiscal Assistant Secretary, in a news release.
Lebryk has called upon Congress to provide the Treasury with full access to the master file, asserting that it would “significantly reduce fraud, enhance program integrity, and better protect taxpayer funds.”
This initiative underlines the government’s effectiveness in addressing fraud, waste, and abuse, which were central themes of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promises.
As part of his “Save America” agenda for a potential second term, the president-elect has appointed notable individuals, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This department aims to identify opportunities to reduce the federal workforce, eliminate programs, and cut federal regulations.
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