TN 14 (08-07)

A. Policy

Generally, do not suspend benefits when a beneficiary needs a representative payee (RP) and none is available. Instead, when permissible, immediately initiate direct payment of current benefits to the beneficiary while developing for a suitable payee. See GN 00504.105 for the immediate direct payment policy and exceptions. The Field Office (FO) must ensure that efforts continue to locate a suitable payee and to reinstate benefits as soon as possible in cases where there is a suspension (S8/S08). See GN 00504.110 for a full discussion of when the suspension of benefits to a beneficiary with a RP is appropriate.

NOTE: The suspension of SSI benefits for reason S08 is not an eligibility suspension. Instead, it is an administrative stop payment (SI 02301.201B.2).

B. Process

The Office of Systems identifies cases that are in S-8/S-08 status from the MBR/SSR on a monthly basis and posts them to the Management Information Services Facility (MISF). The NY RO’s MI staff extracts the data and posts the information to the S8/S08 Tracking Application (website). Each FO is responsible for monitoring and resolving cases in their jurisdiction. Once payment is reinstated or otherwise removed from S8/S08 status, the case will not be identified in the next month's run.

C. Procedure

Process the alerted items as follows:

D. Change in Suspense Reason

1. Whereabouts Unknown

If you are unable to locate the beneficiary, update the suspense reason to reflect the reason for non-payment.

For title XVI cases, change the suspense reason from S08 to S06 (refer to SI 02301.201B2 and SI 02301.240).

For title II cases involving a disability wage earner (HA) who is NOT due or overdue a continuing disability review (CDR) (refer to POMS DI 13015.005) and the case contains one or more auxiliaries in current pay status, change the HA’s LAF code to S-9 with a RFST of “MISCEL”, retroactive to the first month of suspension. This will require a two-step input process in the same transaction. Use the DPYE to reinstate (end) the S-8 period retroactive to the first month of suspension and then use the MISC screen (MSOM COMMON 005.025) to suspend S-9 retroactive to the original date of suspension. Add a special message to the MBR “whereabouts unk/payee may be needed”. Establish a MDW to recall the case when the CDR date matures so the payment can be updated (to S-0 status) at that time.

For all other title II cases involving a disabled beneficiary (due or over due for a CDR or no auxiliaries involved or a missing DAC), change the LAF code to S-0. Refer to DI 13010.160 and SM 03020.050. This will require a two-step process as part of the same transaction. Use the DPYE screen (MSOM COMMON 005.020) to reinstate (end) the S-8 period retroactive to the original date of suspension (DOST). Use the CDIB screen (MSOM COMMON 005.008 to suspend benefits S-0 retroactive to the original suspense (S-8) date.

For all title II cases involving a non-disability beneficiary, change the LAF code from S-8 to S-9 RFST “WHEREU”. This will require a two- step input process in the same transaction. Use the DPYE screen to reinstate (end) the S-8 period effective with the current operating month (COM). Use the WHRU screen to input the S-9 RFST action effective COM (MSOM COMMON 005.034)

2. Adoption

If your investigation reveals that the child has been adopted and the adoptive parents indicate they no longer want this child to receive benefits, the case should be treated as a waiver of benefits for title II benefits (GN 02409.001 and GN 00504.260) or a Voluntary Termination for title XVI (SI 02301.230). Both of these actions require that the parent sign a statement indicating why they want to do this and that they understand the consequences.  For the title II record, change the LAF status to S-9, RFST of “WAIVER.” Again this will take two input actions one to end the S-8 period (DPYE) and the second to initiate the S-9, RFST of “WAIVER” (MSOM COMMON 005.031). For the title XVI, change the PSY code to N19 (refer to SI 02301.230).

When the adopted parents refuse to sign a waiver, or any statements, the FO should document via RPOC and/or MDW and add a special message to the MBR/SSR. Leave the record in S-8/S-08 status and continue looking for an alternative payee.

E. References

Title XVI – Whereabouts Unknown (Beneficiary) SI 02301.201B2, SI 02301.240

Title XVI – Whereabouts Unknown (Rep Payee) SI 02301.235, SM 01305.590

Title II – Waiver of benefits - GN 02409.001

Title XVI – Voluntary termination - SI 02301.230

Title II—Suspension of Benefits - GN 00504.110

Title XVI –Remarks on the SSR - SM 01301.841