TN 35 (06-18)

Request a handwriting analysis for a check older than 12 months old only if the beneficiary, recipient, or representative payee did not file a timely nonreceipt, and the missing payment is a part of an overpayment on the record.

A. Review of the Check Information and Payee Signature (CIPS) letter

Review the responses to the questions on the CIPS letter to make sure the letter is complete.

B. When to forward for handwriting analysis

Forward the letter to Treasury for handwriting analysis if the responses on the CIPS letter indicate the beneficiary, recipient, or payee did not:

1. receive the check,

2. endorse the check (i.e., not the beneficiary or recipient signature),

3. cash the check,

4. give permission for another person to cash the check,

5. benefit from proceeds of check (not a misuse issue), or

6. have access to the account where the check was deposited.

If the beneficiary, recipient or representative payee answers yes to any of the statements in 1 through 6 as shown in GN 02401.912B in this section and on the CIPS letter, follow instructions in subsection GN 02401.912C in this section.

C. When not to forward letter for handwriting analysis

Do not forward the CIPS package if the report of nonreceipt is timely and SSA fails to input the nonreceipt or inputs the incorrect stop code. For handling these situations, see instructions in GN 02401.902.

Do not forward the CIPS package if there is no signature on the back of the check. Treasury will not be able to analyze a signature that is not available.

NOTE: If the beneficiary, recipient, or representative payee reports a nonreceipt after the check is over 12 months old, and the check is part of an overpayment, we would normally send the CIPS letter to Treasury for a handwriting analysis. However, if there is no signature on the back of the check, Treasury will not be able to analyze a signature that is not available.

Send the notice in NL 03001.025 with the explanation that Treasury cannot verify the signature on the check.

Do not reissue the payment.

D. What to forward to Treasury

Include all information Treasury needs to make the determination:

• Check photocopy(ies);

• CIPS letter (s) located in NL 03001.055;

• Handwriting Analysis Request Cover Letter for Limited Payability Cases located in NL 03001.060;

• Additional signature standards from our files for comparison (a signed SSA-795);

• Mail the package to:

  Department of the Treasury
  Bureau of Fiscal Service
  Customer Service Branch
  Attention Questioned Document Section
  P.O. Box 51318
  Philadelphia PA 19115-6318

• Control a reminder for return in 60 days.

E. No response received within 60 days

If Treasury does not respond within 60 days, resend the scanned package to QDB. Include “Follow-up to Request Dated MM/DD/YYYY” in red and control a reminder for return in 60 days.

F. No response to second follow-up

If there is no response to the second follow-up, take the following action:

• PCs: Technicians refer the case to the Operations Analysis staff (OAS) for assistance;

• FOs: The Operations Supervisor contacts the Regional Office (RO) Analyst in your region for assistance; and

• OAS and RO Analysts: Contact QDB for assistance.