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DTA Collections

DTA decides eligibility for benefits based on rules and the information a client provides (income, household size, etc.). If the wrong benefits are given to clients or clients break program rules, DTA must take money back.

Overview of Collections

DTA decides eligibility for benefits based on rules and the information a client provides (including income, household size, etc.). If the wrong benefits are given to clients or clients break program rules, DTA must take the money back. This is done through the collections process. 

DTA is required to restart its overpayment collection process in the Spring of 2026. Clients with overpayments in SNAP, TAFDC, EAEDC, SSP, and other historical programs will be required to begin paying their account balances. 

Types of Overpayments

Unintentional Program Violation (UPV)

Overpayments caused by a client’s mistake, misunderstanding, or failure to report a change, rather than intentional fraud.

Intentional Program Violation (IPV)

Overpayments caused when a client intentionally lies, conceals information, or misrepresents facts to obtain or maintain benefits. This also includes trafficking of benefits.

Agency Error (AE)​

Overpayments caused by an error made by DTA when calculating or issuing benefits.

Repaying DTA

Depending on the type of overpayment, clients with overpaid benefits will be required to pay back a certain amount each month. The notice DTA sends by mail will state how much must be repaid each month.

Finding Information About Your Overpayment

If you have an overpayment, you will get a notice from DTA. The notice will look like this.

The notice will have information about:

Notice of Overpayment

  • An “Obligation number” (This is a special number that identifies your overpayment)
  • An “Account number” (This is a special number that identifies the accounts within the overpayment.)
  • Overpayment Calculation Summary, which explains the overpayment and a breakdown of the following:
Program:Program(s) impacted
Dates:Date(s) of overpayment
Amount Received:Monthly benefit amount received during this time
Amount You Should Have Received:Monthly benefit you should have received during this time
Overpayment Amount:The amount you were overpaid during this time
Adjustment:Special payments applied to your account
Expungement:Unused benefits applied to your account
Adjusted Overpayment Amount:Account balance after adjustment(s) and expungement
Ineligible Recoupment:Additional owed balance
Amount You Must Pay:The final overpayment amount you must pay

Repayment Agreement

  • How to repay and your options for repayment 
  • Your rights and responsibilities to repay the overpayment
  • How to get help, and 
  • How to request an appeal (clients with an Intentional program violation (IPV) will not be able to appeal an overpayment).
  • The due date to sign and return the repayment agreement form

Note: Please do not send a payment with the signed repayment form. You can mail the signed repayment agreement form to:

DTA – Collections Unit 
P.O. Box – 120048
Boston, MA 02112-0048 

How to Repay DTA

If you are currently getting benefits

Your benefits will be reduced by a certain amount each month to repay your overpayment. This option is mandatory for all clients currently receiving DTA benefits. You can make extra payments in addition to benefit recoupment. For more payment options, you can refer to the second page of the repayment agreement or contact the Collections Unit for assistance.

Note: If your DTA case closes, you will begin receiving a monthly bill to make direct payments. You must make the first payment 31 days after your case closes. 

If you are not currently getting benefits

You must choose a payment method and pay your bill on time each month. This payment method includes sending a check, money order, or garnishing your wages. You cannot pay this bill using cash. 

If you choose to pay your overpayment by check or money order

Follow the instructions on the monthly invoice. You must detach and return the bottom portion of the invoice and include the obligation number and account number on the check or money order. Clients paying DTA directly should send payments to:

Commonwealth of MA - DTA
P.O. Box – 3957
Boston, MA 02241-3957

If you choose to pay your overpayment by wage garnishment

Follow the instructions on the repayment agreement. To choose this option, you must complete the employer section and tell your employer about this garnishment. Clients paying DTA through wage garnishments should have their employer send payments to:   

Commonwealth of MA - DTA
P.O. Box – 340091
Boston, MA 02241-0491

Note: DTA will not tell your employer the reason for your wage garnishment. Call the DTA Collections Unit at 800-462-2607 for assistance.  

If You Do Not Make Payments On-Time

Clients who do not comply with the collections process on-time will have a “delinquent” payment. If your payment is delinquent, the federal and/or state government may take the money you owe out of a different type of benefit or payment you get from the government. This is called an intercept. It might come from state or federal tax refunds or other government payments.

SNAP overpayments may be intercepted by the federal government.  

Economic assistance (cash benefits) may be intercepted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  

Get Help with Collections

Clients may contact the DTA Collections Unit at 800-462-2607 for assistance with their overpayments, to make changes to their payment method, or to request a reduction in the required monthly payment amount. 

Note: For SSP overpayments, clients may contact the State Supplemental Program (SSP) at 877-863-1128.  

Do you have a disability and need additional help? This could be mental, physical, sensory, learning, intellectual, cognitive or developmental. The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) may be able to give you extra help or adjust a rule.

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