What does recoupment refer to in the context of social services?

Recoupment in the context of social services specifically refers to the process of recovering overpayments that have been mistakenly issued to clients. When a client receives more financial assistance than they are entitled to, whether due to clerical errors, misreporting of income, or changes in eligibility status, the agency responsible for administering these benefits seeks to recover the excess funds. This ensures that resources are allocated appropriately within the constraints of the social services program, maintaining fiscal integrity and preventing potential abuse of funds.

The other options highlight different aspects of social support systems, such as distributing benefits or determining eligibility, but they do not accurately describe the concept of recoupment, which centers solely on the financial recovery of overpaid amounts to uphold the system's sustainability.