The Social Security Administration (SSA) made $11 billion in excess payments to individuals collecting disability insurance who later returned to work, according to a government watchdog investigation.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released on Monday found that the billions in overpayments were made between 2005 and 2014.
"From fiscal years 2005 through 2014, GAO found that Social Security Administration overpaid $11 billion in Disability Insurance (DI) program benefits to beneficiaries who had returned to work and had earnings above program limits," the report says.
"SSA’s DI program provides cash benefits to workers with disabilities. Per program rules, SSA requires that beneficiaries promptly report their work activity—including starting a job or a change in wages—as failure to do so may result in an overpayment that must be repaid."
The government will not seek to recoup more than $1 billion of the excess money, saying the beneficiaries were not at fault for some payments related to work activity.
"$1.4 billion in overpayments related to work activity was waived—because the beneficiary was found not at fault—and therefore will not be repaid," the report notes. Processing weaknesses, limited oversight, and no automated reporting options all contributed to the problem, the report notes.
The GAO gave seven recommendations to SSA in order to cut down on overpayments in the future in which the administration agreed to six of the seven. However, they do not agree to the oversight of work reports.
"GAO is making seven recommendations, including that SSA study automated reporting options, and improve oversight of work reports and waivers. SSA agreed with six recommendations but disagreed with overseeing work reports. GAO clarified that oversight should ensure staff are following proper procedures."