(a) 
         The Secretary may offset before completing the procedures otherwise required by  §§ 30.22-30.27 if:
     
    
        
        (1) 
         Failure to offset would substantially prejudice the Government's ability to collect the debt; and
     
    
        
        (2) 
         The amount of time remaining before the payment by the United States which is subject to offset does not reasonably permit completion of the procedures under  §§ 30.22-30.27.
     
    
        
        (b) 
         If the Secretary offsets under paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary:
     
    
        
        (1) 
         Promptly completes the procedures under  §§ 30.22-30.27 after initiating the offset; and
     
    
        
        (2) 
         Refunds any amounts recovered under the offset that are later found not to be owed to the United States.
     
    
        
            Code of Federal Regulations
        
        (Authority: 
                20 U.S.C. 1221e-3(a)(1) and 1226a-1, 31
             U.S.C. 3716(b))