Overpayments and Underpayments

An overpayment exists when an assistance unit receives assistance for which it is not eligible or the assistance exceeds the amount for which it was eligible. However, an unaccessed EBT cash benefit shall not be considered an overpayment. An overpayment may result from Department error, client error, misrepresentation or withholding of information, or assistance paid pending an appeal as provided in 106 CMR 343.250: Continuation of Benefits Pending Appeal. An underpayment exists when: (A) a financial assistance payment received by or for an assistance unit for the month is less than the amount for which the assistance unit was eligible; or (B) the Department fails to issue a financial assistance payment for the month to an eligible assistance unit, if such payment should have been issued.