Treasury Stops $99M Payments to Deceased Recipients

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, that it has prevented nearly $100 million in federal payments from being sent to deceased individuals. The action is the result of an expanded payment verification system implemented under an executive order from President Donald Trump.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the department screened more than 885 million federal payments worth approximately $2.77 trillion. The review identified more than 4,900 transactions, valued at about $99 million, that were associated with deceased payees. These flagged payments were returned to the originating federal agencies for review before any funds were disbursed.

Officials said the effort relies on an enhanced use of the federal "Do Not Pay" program and improved access to the Social Security Administration's Full Death Master File. This allows the government to verify a recipient's identity, eligibility, and vital status before a payment is issued, shifting the focus from recovering funds after the fact to preventing improper payments upfront.

The verification system was significantly expanded following President Trump's Executive Order 14249, "Protecting...