My wife received one of these demands about a year ago for an alleged overpayment her mother received over TWENTY YEARS ago. The amount was just a few hundred dollars. There is absolutely no way to even know if these things are legitimate, let alone defend yourself against them.
Apparently there was language buried in a bill a few years ago authorizing this “program”.
I will say she was fortunate to talk to someone at the IRS who helped get the thing waived, but not before hours wasted on the phone.
Try asking the agency for the documentation. They don’t have it, all they have is some electronic screen. They can’t even tell you when they paid it, what address they sent it to. show you the initial application for assistance or anything close. Most courts have provisions so you can apply for a stay if you have appealed the case. If anyone gets some sort of a dunning letter, get into the right court lickety split and don’t miss your court dates. Hem hawing around and saying it wasn’t convenient or you missed it because of health or other reasons won’t work.
I am glad your wife go out of it. I hope victims will start contacting their Congressional “Representatives” to demand help with. If they catch enough grief, maybe they will undo this wonderful “program”.