Waiver of recovery from an estate is the same as waiver of recovery from the overpaid
person and, thus, extinguishes the right to recover the debt from any subsequent benefits
payable (unless there is a jointly liable person).
When the deceased was without fault and recovery would have been barred during his/her
lifetime as against equity and good conscience, recovery from the estate may be waived.
Waiver of recovery from an estate may be approved only on the basis of against equity
and good conscience even though waiver would have been proper on the basis of defeat
the purpose of title II during the deceased person's lifetime. The estate cannot need
income for ordinary and necessary living expenses.
If an estate has been closed, the distributee takes the place of the deceased overpaid
person to the extent of proceeds of the estate (or property attributable to such proceeds)
in his possession. Waiver of recovery from the distributee depends on whether or not
the distributee (rather than the deceased) is without fault in causing the overpayment
and on whether or not recovery from the distributee (rather than the deceased) would
defeat the purpose of title II or would be against equity and good conscience.