Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act | ChamberLight
Bills · S 269
BECAME LAW· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 269Intergovernmental relationsSocial security and elderly assistance
Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
INTRO JAN 28· LAST ACTION FEB 10
PASSAGE CHANCES
BECAME LAW
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
5BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 8 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
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This bill matters because it tackles the ongoing problem of improper government payments made to deceased individuals, which costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year. If this bill becomes law, it means less taxpayer money will be wasted on benefits sent to people who are no longer alive, potentially freeing up funds for other government services or reducing the national debt.
Without this bill, the current system would continue to allow such improper payments, leading to a continued loss of public funds and administrative headaches for both government agencies and the families of the deceased who often have to deal with the aftermath of these errors. By improving data sharing and accuracy, it aims to create a more efficient and accountable government payment system.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
The Social Security Administration (SSA) must share information about deceased individuals with the "Do Not Pay" working system.
This provision directly addresses the prevention and recovery of improper government payments made to deceased people.
PROVISION 02
The SSA and the "Do Not Pay" system must agree on a method for sharing the costs associated with obtaining state death data.
This ensures that the financial burden of accurate death data is proportionally covered, supporting the overall goal of preventing improper payments.
PROVISION 03
The SSA must have "clear and convincing evidence" before officially recording an individual as deceased.
This higher standard of proof protects living individuals from being wrongly identified as deceased, which can cause significant financial and administrative problems.
PROVISION 04
If the SSA incorrectly identifies someone as deceased, it must notify all other agencies that received that incorrect death information.
This ensures that errors are promptly corrected across all relevant government agencies, mitigating harm to the affected individual.
This bill matters because it tackles the ongoing problem of improper government payments made to deceased individuals, which costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year. If this bill becomes law, it means less taxpayer money will be wasted on benefits sent to people who are no longer alive, potentially freeing up funds for other government services or reducing the national debt.
Without this bill, the current system would continue to allow such improper payments, leading to a continued loss of public funds and administrative headaches for both government agencies and the families of the deceased who often have to deal with the aftermath of these errors. By improving data sharing and accuracy, it aims to create a more efficient and accountable government payment system.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
The Social Security Administration (SSA) must share information about deceased individuals with the "Do Not Pay" working system.
This provision directly addresses the prevention and recovery of improper government payments made to deceased people.
med
The SSA and the "Do Not Pay" system must agree on a method for sharing the costs associated with obtaining state death data.
This ensures that the financial burden of accurate death data is proportionally covered, supporting the overall goal of preventing improper payments.
high
The SSA must have "clear and convincing evidence" before officially recording an individual as deceased.
This higher standard of proof protects living individuals from being wrongly identified as deceased, which can cause significant financial and administrative problems.
high
If the SSA incorrectly identifies someone as deceased, it must notify all other agencies that received that incorrect death information.
This ensures that errors are promptly corrected across all relevant government agencies, mitigating harm to the affected individual.
The amendments made by this section shall take effect.
GLOSSARY
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Commissioner of Social Security
The head official who oversees and manages the Social Security Administration.
Do Not Pay working system
A government system used by federal agencies to check payment eligibility and prevent payments to individuals or entities who should not receive them, often used to prevent fraud or improper payments.
Improper payments
Payments made by a government agency that should not have been made, were made in the wrong amount, or were made to an ineligible recipient.
Clear and convincing evidence
A high legal standard of proof that requires the evidence to be highly probable or reasonably certain, more than a simple majority of evidence but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Cooperative arrangement
A formal agreement or partnership between government agencies to work together, share information, or coordinate efforts to achieve a common goal.
Social Security Act
The foundational law that established the Social Security program and other social welfare programs in the United States.
ACTION TIMELINE
19 EVENTS
FEB 10
Signed by President.
PRESIDENT
FEB 10
Became Public Law No: 119-77.
PRESIDENT
FEB 3
Presented to President.
FLOOR
JAN 12
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.