GN 02405: Processing Unendorsed Returned Benefit Checks - Title II and Title XVI
TN 6 (09-17)
A. Background for Unendorsed Title XVI Benefit Checks
Unendorsed Title XVI check(s) returned to the field office (FO), because of a change in entitlement, are not remittances. Enter these returned check(s) into the mailroom or reception area log per GN 02403.004D and then enter into the Debt Management System (DMS) per GN 02403.007, so they appear on that day's Field Office Daily Receipt Listing (FODRL) per GN 02403.021.
Returned SSI checks paid under Title VIII and returned claimant representative/attorney fee checks are included in the following procedures. Title XVI claimant representative/attorney fee checks issued by Treasury have a Payment Identification Code (PIC) of RA-RZ.
Follow procedures for returned benefit checks more than one year old in GN 02405.300.
Process returned, smudged, or mutilated checks by following instructions in GN 02406.230.
B. Interviewer Procedure
Process returned Title XVI benefit checks in accordance with the table below:
Step |
Action |
---|---|
1 |
Access the Treasury Check Information System (TCIS) or Treasury Check Verification Query (TCVQ) screen to determine the claim number of the beneficiary. See instructions on how to access the TCVQ screen MSOMQUERIES 003.022. IMPORTANT: DO NOT write the SSN on the check. |
2 |
Determine why the check was returned. If necessary, contact the remitter, the person who sent the check, to determine the reason for the check return.
REMINDER: Do not process payments mailed to the FO for delivery to the recipient per GN 02401.050, or Redirected checks sent to the FO in representative payee non-responder situations, per GN 00605.085 as returned checks or refunds. |
3 |
Immediately stamp the check “NOT NEGOTIABLE” below the address on the check, if not yet stamped by mailroom personnel. REMINDER: Do not write or stamp below the solid line, which extends the full length of the check. Doing so causes problems with Treasury's optical scanning equipment. |
4 |
Determine if the returned check represents an emergency advanced payment (EAP) or a Treasury-issued immediate payment (IP) check, see RS 02801.010.
NOTE: If the returned IP is a Third-Party Draft issued from the FO, follow instructions in GN 02403.016. |
5 |
Annotate the check (in red) “SSI ADVANCE PAYMENT” or “IMMEDIATE PAYMENT,” followed by the FO code in the upper left corner of the check. Go to step 7. (The Office of Finance does not need the reason for the return.) |
6 |
Code the reason for the return (see Exhibit GN 02405.100F) and the date of the event that caused the beneficiary not to be entitled to the payment, if appropriate. Write the date in (MM/YY) format on the lower left portion of the check to the right of the Statue of Liberty imprint and above the solid line that extends the full length of the check. |
7 |
Recording the check:
NOTE: Do not enter the attorney PIC in DMS. REMINDER: Prepare an SSA-1395-BK manual receipt when DMS is not accessible. References: MSOM DMS 001.001 and MSOM DMS 003.001 for DMS input coding. MSOM DMS 003.006 and MSOM DMS 003.007 for instructions on generating an automated receipt. |
8 |
Give the remitter the remittance receipt produced by DMS. |
9 |
Access the Payment Menu and update the payment history, per MSOM BUSSR 003.004. |
10 |
Hand carry the coded check to the remittance clerk for safekeeping. |
C. Remittance Clerk Procedure
The remittance clerk must follow the below procedures when processing unendorsed returned benefit checks:
Step |
Action |
---|---|
1 |
Request the FODRL at the end of the business dayy. Reference: MSOM DMS 004.006 and MSOM DMS 004.009 for how to obtain an FODRL. |
2 |
Associate the returned check(s) with the other refunds contained on the FODRL. |
3 |
Ensure that the FODRL agrees with the attached returned checks and other refunds. |
4 |
Sign the FODRL on the remittance clerk line, and hand carry all documents to the remittance supervisor. |
D. Remittance Supervisor Procedure
The remittance supervisor must follow the below procedures when processing unendorsed returned benefit checks:
Step |
Action |
---|---|
1 |
Review the FODRL against the mailroom and reception area logs completed that day. Ensure that all unendorsed returned benefit checks logged in that day have been stamped either:
|
2 |
Resolve any differences between the checks listed on the FODRL, reception area logs, and actual checks received. See |
3 |
Sign the FODRL on the remittance supervisor line. |
4 |
Mail at the end of each work day all returned title XVI checks as follows: Title XVI Checks (except EAP & IP Checks): Department of the TreasuryBureau of the Fiscal Service Regional Financial Center P.O. Box 51320 Philadelphia, PA 19115-6319 Title XVI EAP and IP Checks: Social Security AdministrationOffice of Finance P.O. Box 47 Baltimore, Maryland 21235 |
NOTE: Do not mail the FODRL with the Title XVI unendorsed Treasury check(s). Sign and file the listing. Retain the FODRL and destroy the form after one year. REMINDERS: Prepare an SSA-1395-BK receipt when issuing receipts out-of-office or during periods of emergency or when DMS is not accessible.
|
E. References
SM 01315.010 Returned Checks
SM 01315.015 How to Return a Check to the Department of the Treasury
SM 01325.040 Systems Input When an SSI EAP/IP Third Party Draft Check Is Lost or Returned
F. Exhibit - Title XVI returned check codes
AD |
= |
Change of Address (May also involve change of living arrangement) |
CP |
= |
Change of Payee |
DC |
= |
Smudged, mutilated but still legible |
DR |
= |
Death of Representative Payee |
DT |
= |
Death of Recipient |
IR |
= |
Change in Income and / or Resources |
LA |
= |
Change in Living Arrangement Only |
MR |
= |
Change in Marital Status |
MS |
= |
Miscellaneous |
ST |
= |
Student Termination |
WK |
= |
Work |