Mr. Highfield, an individual receiving a $513 monthly title XVI payment, reports marriage
in August 2000 to another recipient receiving $513 monthly. Redetermination results
in an adjustment of their payments, effective September 2000.
In December 2001, the recipient reports a divorce which was final November 2001. When
redetermining eligibility and amount of payment, the interviewer becomes aware of
previously unreported income for Mr. Highfield, resulting in a monthly $120 overpayment
beginning July 2000. Mr. Highfield is overpaid $120 a month July 2000 through August
2000, $60 a month September 2000 through November 2001, and $62 for December 2001
(note that based on the change in marital status the Federal benefit rate for December
is $513). Mrs. Highfield is overpaid $60 monthly September 2000 through November 2001
(note that she is underpaid $122 for December 2001 but this underpayment will be offset
against her overpayment).
Although Mr. Highfield is responsible for Mrs. Highfield's entire overpayment, she
is responsible only for his September 2000 through November 2001 overpayment because
she was eligible as a member of a couple for only those months.