What GAO Found For fiscal year 2025, 15 agencies’ estimated improper payments totaled about $186 billion across 64 programs. This represented about $24 billion more in improper payment estimates in fiscal year 2025 than in the prior fiscal year. Agencies reported that about $153 billion (approximately 82 percent) of this total was the result of overpayments. However, these estimates do not represent the full extent of government-wide improper payments. For instance, the $186 billion does not include certain programs that agencies have determined are susceptible to significant improper payments, such as the Department of Health and Human Services’ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Of the programs reporting improper payment estimates for fiscal year 2025, 19 reported improper payment rate estimates of at least 10 percent, including six programs whose rates exceeded 25 percent. Programs Reporting the Largest Percentage of Government-Wide Improper Payments Estimates for Fiscal Year 2025 Note: For more details, see fig. 2 in GAO-26-108694. Percentages in the figure do not sum to 100 percent due to rounding. The Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA) requires the inspector general (IG) at each executive branch agency to annually report on the agency’s compliance with applicable PIIA criteria. According to…
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Payment Integrity: Agencies' Estimated Improper Payments Increased to $186 Billion in Fiscal Year 2025
Source: US GAO Reports — US Government, Public Domain