Effective Dates: 06/14/2022 - Present Previous | Next

TN 68 (06-22)

GN 02210.152 Collection of Title II and Title XVI Overpayments by Credit Card

A. Policy

Debtors have the option to pay their Title II and Title XVI debts by MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express or Diners Club credit cards. This option is available to debtors in both programs.

SSA does not have the capability to make debit transactions. Debtors should be advised that if they wish to use a MasterCard or Visa debit check card, the transaction can only be processed as a credit card payment.

NOTE: The Diners Club Card will only be accepted when it processes as a MasterCard or Discover transaction. Acceptable Diners Club Cards should have the MasterCard or Discover Card logo present on the card and meet the numerical requirements. (See chart GN 02210.205B.1.)

Debtors now have the option to pay their debts online through Pay.gov. Pay.gov is an online remittance collection application developed and maintained by the Department of the Treasury (Treasury). The internet application offers Title II and Title XVI recipients, who are active in the Recovery and Collection of Overpayment Process (RECOOP) system, the option to repay their programmatic overpayments via credit card, debit card, or a debit to their bank account or automated clearinghouse (ACH). Treasury's Pay.gov application collects and processes the transaction and payment information on SSA's behalf. Pay.gov allows eligible individuals to make a one-time payment using their personal computer or mobile phone. Treasury's Pay.gov accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diner's Club, JCB, Union Pay, and debit of the individual's bank account via ACH.

For instructions on how to handle inquiries, see GN 02220.125.

B. Overview of debtor credit card payment options

1. Initial overpayment notices

Initial overpayment notices request repayment of Title II and Title XVI overpayments from debtors or liable persons. The notices explain the debtor’s options for repaying, including repayment by credit card. Debtors who wish to repay by credit card can do so in person by visiting their local field office; or by mail, using their credit card information to complete the payment stub enclosed in the notice. The debtor should mail the completed payment stub to the Mid-Atlantic Program Center (MATPSC) using the refund envelope included with the initial overpayment notice.

Social Security Administration

PO Box 3430

Philadelphia, PA 19122-9985

Once the initial overpayment notice is sent, for a person that is in current pay status, the system automates collection activity for most overpayments. If the recipient is in non-pay status, the system transfers jurisdiction for collection of the overpayment to the Recovery and Collection Overpayment Process (RECOOP).

2. RECOOP billing notice

When a non-pay debt is not resolved as a result of the initial overpayment notice, the debt is then controlled by RECOOP. RECOOP is a billing and follow-up system developed as a part of the modernization of the SSA Debt Management System (DMS). Part of the billing notice produced by RECOOP is a payment stub (or coupon) which includes the option to repay by credit card.

3. Other overpayment notices

SSA also sends the following overpayment notices that include the option to repay by credit card.

  • •

    Treasury Offset Program (TOP) pre-offset notices offer debtors the option to repay by credit card. For more information about the TOP pre-offset notices, see GN 02201.029C.

  • •

    Mandatory Cross Program Recovery (CPR) notices;

  • •

    Notices for accepting or rejecting a compromise offer;

  • •

    Employer administrative wage garnishment debts (AWG) notices.

For more information about the mandatory CPR notice, see SI 02220.020.B.3. For more information about the contents of AWG employer package, see GN 02201.040B.

4. Telephone inquiry to Program Service Center (PSC)

A webpage has been developed for use by the debtor contact representatives in the PSCs and by the remittance clerks in the MATPSC Remittance and Accounting Unit (RAU) for handling credit card payments. For more information about handling credit card payments over the telephone and entering the information into the webpage, see GN 02210.205B.

Detailed field office instructions for handling credit card payments are outlined in GN 02403.006. Specific PSC instructions for handling credit card payments are outlined in GN 02210.205.

C. Procedures for credit card security

Apply the following procedures for credit card security:

  • •

    Do not list the remitter's credit card number anywhere in the remarks area of the DMS screens when preparing the automated receipt.

  • •

    Do not include the remitter’s credit card number in any documents retained in paperless or in the Claims File User Interface (CFUI).

D. References

  • •

    GN 02210.153 Paying by Credit Card – Teleservice Center (TSC) Procedure

  • •

    GN 02210.156 Webpage link for Credit Card Payments Over the Telephone – for DCR use only

  • •

    GN 02210.205 Paying by Credit Card – DCU Procedure

  • •

    GN 02403.006 Processing Remittances Received in the FO

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0202210152
GN 02210.152 - Collection of Title II and Title XVI Overpayments by Credit Card - 06/14/2022
Batch run: 06/14/2022
Rev:06/14/2022