NBC Investigations

GAO: $1.3 billion in ‘improper’ federal disability payments

The federal government may have paid $1.29 billion in Social Security disability benefits to thousands of people who made too much income to actually qualify, according to a U.S Government Accountability Office (GAO) report obtained by NBC News.

The GAO report, which will be released Sunday, said its estimate of “potentially improper” payments may be understated. Social Security Administration officials said they plan to investigate the claims and recoup any improper payments. Read more.