Do I have to pay back government benefits?

It depends on the program. Most benefits you receive don't have to be paid back. But if you got more money or food than you qualified for, you may owe it back.

Which benefits usually don't need to be repaid

SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps) and Medicaid are generally free. You don't repay them. If you got too much SNAP, the state may ask you to repay some or all of it—but this is less common than it used to be.

Which benefits may need to be repaid

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance may have repayment rules. Each state sets its own rules, so it varies by where you live.

Other programs like tax credits may require repayment if your income changed or the amount was wrong. For example, if the IRS gave you more Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) than you qualified for, you may owe it back at tax time.

What happens if you were overpaid

If a benefit program overpaid you, the agency will tell you what you owe. You may be able to:

• Pay it back in a lump sum
• Set up a payment plan
• Have future benefits reduced until the debt is paid

The program cannot take away all your benefits to collect a debt. Usually you can ask for a hearing if you think the overpayment decision is wrong.

What to do next

If you think you were overpaid, contact the agency that gave you the benefits. Ask them to explain why and what your options are. If you can't pay, ask about a payment plan. Applying for benefits is always free, and only the agency decides eligibility.