May credit card payments by the U.S. Government or its agents be offset to pay delinquent debts?
FMS/Treasury is reviewing all federal payment mechanisms to determine their applicability to the offset program. • What takes precedence if administrative offset is prohibited by or provided for in another statute? Administrative offset under the DCIA is precluded only when another law specifically prohibits it. Other legislation authorizing administrative offset does not necessarily prohibit implementing administrative offset under the DCIA. • May a debtor voluntarily pay his or her debt to avoid offset? A debtor who wishes to pay his/her debt voluntarily must pay the creditor agency directly. It is the creditor agency which must instruct Treasury to terminate the offset process with respect to a debt that has been paid. Debtors will be directed to the creditor agency to resolve questions, make voluntary payments, or request any other service related to the debt. The creditor agency will act under its authority to service the claim or debt, and enter into any voluntary arrangement wit
