Mrs. Barbara Burnham is representative payee for her son Bob. She receives $142 for
him each month. We learn in October 2008 that Bob married in August 2008. Therefore,
Bob was not due benefits for August 2008 and September 2008 and is now overpaid $284.
We presume that Mrs. Burnham and Bob are jointly liable for repayment of the $284
overpayment. If Mrs. Burnham knew Bob had married and used the money for him, they
are jointly liable for the overpayment. If Bob secretly married and Mrs. Burnham had
no knowledge of the event and used the money for him, Mrs. Burnham would not be liable
to repay the debt. In this instance, Bob is primarily liable for the overpayment.
If the representative payee did not use the money for Bob, Bob is not liable for repayment
of the debt. In this instance, only Mrs. Burnham is primarily liable to repay the
debt.