SSA and Treasury to share death records, preventing payments to deceased
H.R. 2716 — Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act · Filed by Clay Higgins (R-LA) · 2 cosponsors · Introduced Apr 8, 2025 · Reported out
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What it does
This bill requires the Social Security Administration to share death records with the federal 'Do Not Pay' system to prevent payments to deceased people and recover improperly paid benefits. It also requires SSA to notify agencies when someone is incorrectly marked as deceased, and mandates a cost-sharing agreement between SSA and the Do Not Pay system operator. The bill takes effect December 27, 2026.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is administrative coordination between federal agencies to prevent improper payments and recover fraud. It is a straightforward government-integrity measure with no private-sector carve-outs or hidden riders.
What the text implies
- Individuals incorrectly marked as deceased in state records may face temporary benefit suspension or payment delays until the error is corrected, creating a procedural burden on living citizens to prove they are alive.
- The 'clear and convincing evidence' standard for recording deaths is high, but the bill does not specify remedies or timelines for correcting erroneous death records, potentially leaving citizens in limbo.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Ordinary citizens benefit from reduced improper payments to deceased individuals, which saves taxpayer money and improves program integrity. The bill also protects living citizens from being incorrectly flagged as deceased by requiring notification and correction.