An 84-year-old Texas woman says she may have to return to work after learning the state overpaid her nearly $9,000 in SNAP benefits — and is now reclaiming the funds by reducing her Social Security checks.
According to Houston’s ABC 13, Jerralee King received about $9,000 in food assistance over several years. State officials later determined she had not been eligible for those payments, even though the mistake was made by the agency itself.
“Hopefully they’ll be hiring old ladies at that point,” King told the station’s 13 Investigates team.
Why This Case Matters
Government benefit overpayments are not rare — and when they happen, recipients can be required to repay thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. For seniors living on fixed incomes, that can mean reduced or nearly halted benefits.
The national SNAP payment error rate, which includes both overpayments and underpayments, stands at approximately 11 percent, according to LegalClarity. Most of those errors involve overpayments rather than underpayments.
Although SNAP overpayments cannot cancel Social Security benefits outright, federal debt collection rules allow Social Security checks to be partially garnished to recover delinquent SNAP debts.
What Happened
King first applied for SNAP benefits in 2021. For roughly three and a half years, she received between $112 and $348 per month.
“It made a big difference,” King said. “I didn’t have to worry. I knew that I had enough to sustain me.”
However, in March of last year, her benefits suddenly stopped without explanation. Months later, she received an official letter stating she had never been eligible for SNAP in the first place and owed the state $8,927 due to an agency error.
A notice dated July 21, 2025, from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) stated:
“The overpayment occurred as a result of AGENCY Error. The Agency failed to input the correct resource amount causing the household to receive SNAP benefits they were not eligible for.” SNAP
King initially didn’t realize the letter was legitimate. But once she understood the situation, she began searching for solutions.
“I began to tell other people about it. Have you ever heard of such a thing? And they just looked at me like I’d lost my mind,” she said. “Then I realized, no, they really want their money back. Good luck.”
Why She Still Has to Repay
Under federal law, recipients are required to repay SNAP overpayments — even when the mistake was entirely the government’s fault.
Recent legislative changes have also increased scrutiny. In President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” states must reduce SNAP error rates to 6 percent or less by 2028 or risk federal funding reductions.
The Texas HHSC told ABC 13 it has taken steps to prevent future mistakes, including:
- Targeted case reviews
- Enhanced staff training
- Technology-based quality checks
- Clearer policy guidance
“These efforts help prevent mistakes before benefits are issued,” the agency said in a statement.
How Her Social Security Is Being Affected
Because of the nearly $9,000 debt, the U.S. Department of the Treasury informed King that up to 15 percent of her monthly Social Security benefit will be withheld until the balance is repaid.
That translates to about $200 less per month from her Social Security check.
For seniors living on fixed incomes, even a few hundred dollars can significantly impact rent, utilities, and groceries.
What Other SNAP Recipients Should Know
Ryan, referenced in the ABC 13 report, advises SNAP recipients to monitor their monthly balances carefully to avoid unexpected overpayment notices.
“If benefits jump without explanation, call immediately,” Ryan said. “Request a fair hearing within 90 days of any overpayment notice. You can often negotiate a repayment plan or challenge the amount.”
Experts recommend:
- Reviewing benefit amounts monthly
- Reporting discrepancies immediately
- Keeping all official correspondence
- Requesting hearings promptly if notified of overpayment
The Bigger Picture
King’s situation highlights a larger issue: even when the government makes an error, the financial burden can fall on vulnerable individuals.
While safeguards are being implemented to lower error rates nationwide, SNAP overpayments remain a reality — and repayment rules can be strict.
For seniors and low-income households, staying informed and proactive may be the only defense against unexpected benefit reductions.