TN 29 (02-03)

A. Policy

1. Applicant Has Custody

If the payee applicant meets the criteria in GN 00502.070 (i.e., is emancipated under State law or presumption of incapability is overcome), he/ she may be appointed payee for another minor child if there is no better qualified payee candidate.

2. Applicant Does Not Have Custody

If the applicant is the beneficiary's parent and meets the criteria in GN 00502.070, he/she may be appointed payee if there is no better qualified payee candidate.

B. Procedure

If the applicant cannot be appointed as payee under the policy stated in GN 00502.164A.:

• Develop as usual for the best qualified payee candidate,

• If a qualified payee is unavailable, you may contact a social agency for a special investigation into the child's welfare and recommendation of payee.

• Pending this recommendation, either pay the child directly (if at all feasible) or suspend benefits.

• Document the agency's findings.

• If the payee applicant is the child's parent who does not have custody, conduct a personal interview with the beneficiary's custodian and obtain Form SSA-788 (Statement of Care and Responsibility for Beneficiary).