Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
Summary
The "Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act" aims to improve coordination between federal and state agencies and the Do Not Pay system to prevent improper payments to deceased individuals. It amends Section 205(r) of the Social Security Act to facilitate data sharing between the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Do Not Pay system. The bill also addresses issues related to individuals incorrectly identified as deceased, requiring agencies to notify cooperative arrangements of such errors.
Expected Effects
This act will likely reduce improper payments made by the government to deceased individuals by improving data sharing and verification processes. It also mandates notification to relevant agencies when individuals are incorrectly identified as deceased, helping to rectify errors more efficiently. The changes will take effect on December 27, 2026.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced improper payments, saving taxpayer money.
- Improved accuracy of death records used by federal agencies.
- More efficient recovery of improperly paid benefits.
- Enhanced coordination between federal and state agencies.
- Quicker correction of errors for individuals incorrectly identified as deceased.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on the Social Security Administration and other agencies.
- Risk of data breaches or misuse of shared information, though safeguards are mentioned.
- Possible delays in benefit payments due to enhanced verification processes.
- Costs associated with implementing the new data-sharing agreements and methodologies.
- The effective date being over a year away means delayed realization of benefits.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by aiming to reduce government waste and improve efficiency. Congress has the power to legislate in areas related to Social Security under Article I, Section 8, which grants it the power to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).