I-TEAM: Locals react to Congress’ hearing on improper SSA overpayments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — People in the Miami Valley say they are relieved to see Congress taking action after News Center 7′s I-Team reporting on Social Security overpayments.

Angela Worley of Dayton said, “Thank you for what you have, you and your team nationwide have done. Thank you.”

On Wednesday News Center 7 learned a Congressional hearing will take place just weeks after the I-Team exposed billions of dollars in SSA overpayments.

As part of the I-Team investigation into the SSA overpayments, News Center 7 has followed Kara Kendall and Angela Worley’s story.

>> RELATED: I-TEAM: ‘Social Security should help people;’ Families stuck paying hefty SSA overpayment bills

The Social Security Administration sent Kendall a letter saying they overpaid her more than $17,000. The government told Angel’s mom they overpaid her nearly $7,000 and demanded the money back.

News Center 7′s John Bedell talked to both women on Thursday about the House subcommittee on Social Security, saying it will hold a hearing next week on protecting Americans from the harm of SSA overpayments.

“Absolutely thrilled and excited and ecstatic. I’m so happy that people were able to speak out about their concerns and that they’re being heard and listened to,” Worley said.

Kara Kendal said, “I’m certainly happy that maybe going forward, we’re not going to run into this again.”

Dozens of people have contacted News Center 7′s I-Team since our original story with our sister stations and KFF Health News.

We’ve heard from more than 200 people across the country dealing with this overpayment outrage.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Social Security demands back billions in overpayments; Policies under review after I-TEAM reports

In a series of I-Team investigations, we’ve found SSA audits show Americans repay between $4-$5 billion in overpayments each year.

But the grand total of overpayments the agency still has not recovered is more than $21 billion. Even when it’s the SSA’s own mistake, it still demands people pay the money back.

In the wake of the I-Team’s reporting, The Social Security Administration has announced an internal review of its overpayment policies and procedures. Now, the House Subcommittee on Social Security has scheduled a hearing with SSA officials next week.

They said they will examine how the agency can better identify improper payments before they happen and provide beneficiaries with adequate notice when they do occur.

Worley and Kendall said the House hearing is a good start but want to know what will be done for so many families like theirs that were sent hefty bills they can’t afford.

“Based on what that says, it tells me for us that have already been affected, it’s going to be too late,” Kendall said.

“There are a lot of individuals like my mom, a lot of people that are already in this quagmire situation. So, I’d like to hear what we’re going to do, what we’re going to put in place for the now, not the yet to come,” Worley said.

One of the people we expect to hear from during the hearing will be from Miami Valley Congressman Mike Carey. His district includes parts of Clark County. He’s on the House subcommittee.

For months, the I-Team has been asking the SSA how many families are impacted by an overpayment. The agency has refused to tell us.

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