Accession Number:

AD1157281

Title:

Department of Defense: Process Improvements Needed in Recouping Overpayments to Service Members

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Congressional Report]

Corporate Author:

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Cackley, Alicia P.
• Khan, Asif A.
• Braxton, Arkelga
• Hamlett, Marshall
• Haase, Cole
• Chin, Yue P.
• Molino, Marc
• ,
• Paige, Brian
• Rom, Tovah
• ,
• Sandler, Jessica
• ,

Report Date:

2019-02-15

Pagination or Media Count:

63

Abstract:

DOD sometimes overpays servicemembers due to errors in administrative processing of pay and allowances, and calculating pay and leave. Nearly 400 Debt Collection Offices in DOD are responsible for the recovery and collection of debts see figure for basic elements of the debt collection process. DOD has acknowledged that collection actions related to overpayments have placed undue burden on service members and their families, such as financial hardship, garnished wages, and damaged credit scores. House Report 115-200 accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 included a provision for GAO to study DODs process for recoupment of servicemember overpayments. This report evaluates the extent to which 1 the DOD Debt Collection Regulation is clear, and 2 military services and DFAS policies and procedures follow DOD Debt Collection Regulation. GAO reviewed DOD regulations on debt collection, interviewed DOD officials, and examined non-generalizable samples of debt notification letters sent to serving and separated servicemembers between January 2016 and May 2018.

Descriptors:

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations
• Economics and Cost Analysis

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]