Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
Where it stands
- Introduced1/28/25
- Passed SenatePassed 9/19/25
- HousePassed 1/12/26
- PresidentSigned 2/10/26
- LawPublic Law 119-77
Passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent on September 19, 2025. Passed the House by voice vote on January 12, 2026. Became Public Law 119-77 on February 10, 2026.
Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.
Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
This act permanently allows the Department of the Treasury to access certain death records maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help prevent and recover improper payments (e.g., payments to deceased individuals). The act also establishes evidentiary requirements the SSA must meet before identifying an individual as deceased.
Current law requires the SSA to share its Death Master File with the Do Not Pay system maintained by Treasury for three years. The act makes this requirement permanent. Treasury must enter into an agreement with the SSA related to Treasury's share of the cost of state death data.
The act also prohibits the SSA from recording a death in the master file unless the SSA has clear and convincing evidence that the individual should be presumed deceased. If an individual is incorrectly identified as deceased and provides the SSA with supporting documentation, the SSA may notify certain agencies that have access to the master file, including Treasury and federal or state agencies that provide or disburse federally funded benefits.
What happens next
Became Public Law 119-77.
All actions (19)
- 1/28/25Introduced in Senate
- 1/28/25Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 7/30/25Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 9/19/25Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 9/19/25Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)
- 9/19/25Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 9/19/25Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)
- 10/8/25Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 10/10/25Received in the House.
- 10/10/25Held at the desk.
- 1/12/26Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 1/12/26Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)
- 1/12/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.
- 1/12/26Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- 1/12/26On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- 1/12/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2/3/26Presented to President.
- 2/10/26Signed by President.
- 2/10/26Became Public Law No: 119-77.