In some cases, they end up waiving the entire overpayment and just carry on; If someone is terminal, disabled, elderly with no other resources, no hope of ever repaying it.
I used to work at SS. (2014-2016)
I have an aunt on assistance. She was paying her rent and power and water bills and saving what was left over.
Then two years later they said they overpaid her because she had too much money in the bank.
Ridiculous. Just because she was thrifty.
She has only rough money to bury her (maybe) when she passes.
Meanwhile illegal aliens get thousands in federal assistance far more than she gets. And they are not even law abiding citizens.