Social Security restarts debt collection program nationwide

The Social Security Administration has restarted a debt collection program that was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, called the Treasury Offset Program, aims to collect unpaid debts owed to federal and state agencies. The agency announced the resumption on Thursday, stating that the program helps recover overpayments from Social Security benefits. Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, emphasized the importance of managing taxpayer funds. He said the program will provide information and options for people to address their debts. Before being put on hold, the program had already collected nearly $2 billion. Currently, about 280,000 people owe a total of $2.7 billion in debts related to old-age and disability benefits. In a related issue, the Social Security Administration is facing criticism for plans to close 50 offices across the country. This decision comes as in-person service becomes more necessary due to stricter verification procedures. People may have to visit local offices to confirm their identity and access services.