5 CFR § 1215.22 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t5/s1215.22"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "5 CFR § 1215.22 - Definitions."
title_number: 5
title_name: "Administrative Personnel"
section_number: "1215.22"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES"
part_number: "1215"
part_name: "DEBT MANAGEMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
regulatory_source: "54 FR 50603, Dec. 8, 1989, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 72 FR 56885, Oct. 5, 2007."
cfr_part: "1215"
---


# 1215.22 Definitions.

(a) *Claim* or *debt.* An amount or property owed to the United States which includes, but is not limited to: Overpayments to program beneficiaries; overpayments to contractors and grantees, including overpayments arising from audit disallowances; excessive cash advances to grantees and contractors; and civil penalties and assessments. A debt is overdue or delinquent if it is not paid by the due date specified in the initial notice of the debt (see § 1215.26) or if the debtor fails to satisfy his or her obligation under a repayment agreement.

(b) *Debtor.* An individual, organization, group, association, partnership, or corporation indebted to the United States, or the person or entity with legal responsibility for assuming the debtor's obligation.

(c) *MSPB.* The Merit Systems Protection Board.

(d) *Administrative offset.* Satisfying a debt by withholding money payable by the United States to or held by the United States for a debtor.