Public Assistance Overpayment Recovery Programs

Programs that are responsible for identifying situations in which public assistance benefits recipients have received more than the amount to which they are entitled, investigating the cause (generally client error, administrative error or fraud) and pursuing recovery of the overpayment amount. Clients are entitled to a fair hearing and have a variety of repayment options. Cases involving fraud are referred for further action. Recipients may also be required to repay public assistance benefits in situations where they experience a financial windfall, e.g., lottery winnings, an inheritance or the proceeds from a lawsuit.