Social Security Overpayments Could Target Families

InvestigateTV+ examines how the agency can recoup overpaid benefits even after someone has passed away.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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InvestigateTV+ takes an in-depth look at how the Social Security Administration can demand thousands of dollars back in overpaid benefits, even after someone has passed away. The report features the story of David Morgan, a Georgia man who received letters demanding he pay back $20,000 in overpayments made to his deceased brother. The agency threatened to cut David's own benefits if he did not pay. The story also explores how the overpayments can span years before the representative payee took responsibility for the benefits.

Why it matters

This issue highlights the challenges faced by families when the Social Security Administration seeks to recoup overpayments, even in cases where the recipient has passed away. It raises questions about the agency's policies and procedures, and the impact these demands can have on vulnerable individuals and their loved ones.

The details

David Morgan, a retired MARTA bus driver from Georgia, received letters demanding he pay back $20,000 in Social Security overpayments made to his deceased brother, Dennis. The agency threatened to cut David's own benefits if he did not pay. Morgan served as his brother's representative payee for nine months before Dennis died at age 58. Morgan said he notified the agency when his brother died and thought his responsibilities over his brother's benefits were done. However, Social Security records show the overpayments had occurred since 2022, spanning years before Morgan took responsibility for his brother's benefits.

  • The overpayments occurred since 2022, spanning years before Morgan took responsibility for his brother's benefits.
  • Morgan served as his brother's representative payee for nine months before Dennis died at age 58.

The players

David Morgan

A retired MARTA bus driver from Georgia who received letters demanding he pay back $20,000 in Social Security overpayments made to his deceased brother.

Dennis Morgan

David Morgan's deceased brother, who had been receiving Social Security benefits.

Social Security Administration

The government agency that is seeking to recoup the overpaid benefits, even after Dennis Morgan's death.

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What they’re saying

“Like anybody, if you stopped somebody's source of income, what can you do? You can't pay your bills. My wife and I would be devastated because we still got bills.”

— David Morgan (atlantanewsfirst.com)

What’s next

The Social Security Administration has not indicated any specific next steps in this case, but the agency's policies and procedures for recouping overpayments, even after a recipient's death, are likely to face continued scrutiny and potential reforms.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by families when the Social Security Administration seeks to recoup overpayments, even in cases where the recipient has passed away. It raises questions about the agency's policies and procedures, and the impact these demands can have on vulnerable individuals and their loved ones.