Washington, DC – Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) joined several of her House Democratic colleagues to introduce the Claws Off Social Security Act—a bill that protects seniors from having their entire Social Security checks withheld in cases of accidental overpayment.

Under a recently implemented policy by the Trump Administration, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may withhold 100 percent of a senior’s benefit if an accidental overpayment occurs—even when the mistake was through no fault of the beneficiary. This change could leave millions of Americans without the income they rely on for food, housing, and medicine.

The Claws Off Social Security Act would reinstate a commonsense safeguard previously in place during the Biden Administration, which limited repayments to 10 percent of a recipient’s monthly benefit. This allows seniors to repay overpayments gradually without being pushed into financial crisis.

“For so many older Americans, a Social Security check isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline,” said Rep. Frankel. “It helps keep food on the table, the lights on, and critical medications within reach. It’s simply wrong to take away someone’s entire income because of a government mistake. This bill restores fairness and compassion to the system—ensuring seniors can repay what’s owed without losing everything they depend on to get by.”

In 2023 alone, the SSA sought to recover overpayments from more than two million people. Many were blindsided by sudden demands for repayment and feared losing their only source of income.

The Claws Off Social Security Act would:

1. Cap the SSA’s monthly withholding for overpayments at 10 percent of a recipient’s benefit;
2. Allow beneficiaries the option to repay more if they choose; and
3. Provide an exception in cases involving fraud.

The bill is co-led by Reps. Dwight Evans (PA-03), John Larson (CT-01), and Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and is endorsed by leading advocacy organizations including Justice in Aging, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and Social Security Works.

Click here to read the full text.

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