An audit report by the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reveals that the SSA failed to pay an estimated 1.1 million Supplemental Security Income (SSI) underpayments, totaling approximately $291 million, to recipients as of September 2024.
The audit found that the SSA paid only 50 percent of pending underpayments in one sample when required, and employees did not follow policy for 69 recipients. Additionally, 47 underpayments, amounting to $22,861, were identified for deceased recipients and were no longer payable. The report also noted that SSA could not demonstrate required pre-payment reviews were completed in 12 percent of paid underpayment cases.
The OIG emphasized that delayed underpayments can cause significant financial hardship for SSI recipients. The audit made three recommendations, including taking appropriate action on the 139 underpayments identified, resolving the estimated 1.1 million outstanding underpayments, and identifying factors contributing to employee errors. The SSA has agreed with all three recommendations.