TN 24 (10-04)

A. Introduction

Effective October 2004, when the FO makes updates to MSSICS during the Goldberg Kelly (GK) temporary period causing a reduction, suspension or termination in benefits for the current computation month, the system will produce a Notice of Planned Action (SSA-L8155) online when requested. This online notice is printed in the local field office and can be mailed or handed to the recipient.

Prior to October 2004, when an adverse action was processed during the Goldberg Kelly (GK) temporary period, the FO prepared and issued a manual notice at least 10 days (plus 5 for mailing) before the first day of the adverse action month and input the required DPD entries in order to reduce, suspend or terminate the next month’s check. When the FO lets the system issue an automated batch notice instead of preparing a manual notice, the next month’s check was not reduced, thereby creating an unnecessary overpayment.

Beginning in October 2004, the FO can avoid these unnecessary overpayments by mailing or handing beneficiaries an Online Advance Notice of Planned Action (SSA-L8155).

For more detailed systems processing information about the GK online notices see SM 01305.510 through SM 01305.620.

B. Description of online GK notices

1. Features of the online GK notices

Online Goldberg Kelly notices are produced upon request during the GK temporary period. Producing the GK notice online eliminates many problems associated with having to produce a manual notice during the GK temporary period, which falls between the Goldberg Kelly Notice cutoff (usually between the 7^th and 9^th) and the recurring payment tape (Treasury) cutoff (usually between the 15^th and 21^st of the month).

The following features are included with the online GK notices:

• the time (Eastern Standard) the notice was produced is in the upper right hand portion on the notice.

• the date on the notice is the date it is produced

• the notice is printed in the field office

• the notice is stored in the Online Retrieval System (ORS); and

• the notice will appear in the Notice Data (NOTC) segment on the SSR.

2. Producing an online GK notice

An advance online GK notice is produced upon request during the GK temporary period when adverse actions are input through MSSICS to update the Supplemental Security Record (SSR). The FO can print these notices in their local field office which can be either handed or mailed to the SSI recipient.

Producing the GK notice online eliminates the need to produce a manual notice and prevents potential overpayments.

IMPORTANT NOTE: For SSI recipients who have a Braille or Data CD preference there is no longer an option to invoke the on-line GK process and users will not be presented with the MSSICS DBGK screen. The person will receive his or her regular notice and a Braille or Data CD notice from our vendors. These notices will be received too late for us to reduce the following month's payment; therefore consider good cause criteria when the individual alleges not receiving the Adverse Action Notice in his or her preferred format. (See GN 03101.020)

C. Examples

1. Adverse action during the GK temporary period-online notice selected

Freddy Freeland’s continuing monthly benefit amount is $450. During the GK temporary period in September 2005, he reported that he’s working and earning $200 per month. This change results in a reduction in his benefit amount. The FO makes the changes through MSSICS, selects to produce an online handed or mailed notice (depending on if the change is reported in person) and sends the information to the SSR. The required DPD entries are built by the system and an online GK notice is produced to reduce the October 2005 payment on time.

NOTE: All online GK notices have the time (Eastern Standard) in the upper right hand portion on the notice indicating at what time they were produced. An indicator in the NOTC field on the SSR is also displayed showing the date, the time, and an indicator to show whether the notice was handed (OH) or mailed (OM).

For additional information see SM 01305.530 – SM 01305.670.

2. Online GK notices are mailed and then handed later to the SSI recipient during the GK temporary period

Wilbur Wednesday mailed in his payment stubs causing a reduction in his due amount. The FO makes the inputs during the GK temporary period and elects to have the system produce an online GK notice. The FO mails the online Notice of Planned Action (SSA-L8155) to Mr. Wednesday on 09/15. Later, Mr. Wednesday comes into the office on 09/16 and reports additional wages which reduce his due amount to zero. The FO completes the inputs during the GK temporary period and hands the SSA-L8155 to Mr. Wednesday.

Situation:

The 1^st notice (with amount due) will arrive after the 2^nd notice (with no payment amount due) is handed to the claimant. Even though the 2^nd notice contains the most recent and updated information and states Mr. Wednesday is not eligible for payment, the 1^st notice will arrive later in the mail indicating he is eligible for payment.

First Notice:

The first notice to Mr. Wednesday was printed and mailed from the FO. It is dated 09/15 and arrives at his mailbox a few days later. This notice indicated that Mr. Wednesday is eligible for payment.

Second Notice:

The second notice to Mr. Wednesday was printed and handed to him in the FO. It is dated 09/16 and indicated that Mr. Wednesday is not eligible for payment.

Explanation:

FOs should be aware of these types of situations and be prepared to explain them to SSI recipients and document the file that this was explained.

REMEMBER: The time in the upper right hand portion of the notice indicates that an online GK notice was produced and can be viewed in ORS. The notice type in ORS will be displayed as “GK Online Notice.”

3. Online GK notice is handed to SSI recipient and an automated systems generated notice is sent out in the overnight process

Mickey Milestone reports an action on 10/06/04 that increases his due amount to $300. This action results in an automated systems generated notice being sent in the overnight process. The notice is dated 10/13/04 (7 days processing time added). Four days later on 10/10/04, he comes into the office and reports an action that reduces his due amount to $100. An online GK notice is produced and handed to him. It is dated 10/10/04.

Situation:

Mickey Milestone was handed an online notice dated 10/10/04 from the FO indicating that his SSI payment is $100. A few days later, he receives the automated systems generated notice dated 10/13/04 that was mailed in the overnight process which states his due amount is $300.

Although the notices contain correct information, Mickey might be confused because he received a notice dated 10/13/04 containing outdated information.

Explanation:

FOs should be aware of these types of situations and be prepared to explain them to SSI recipients and document the file that this was explained.

REMEMBER: The time in the upper right hand portion of the notice indicates that an online GK notice was produced and can be viewed in ORS. The notice type in ORS will be displayed as “GK Online Notice.”

For additional information see SM 01305.510 through SM 01305.620.

4. A notice will not be produced if the due amount at the beginning of the day equals the due amount at the end of the day and there are no other changes on the SSI record

Otis Bridger’s SSI payment is $444.00 beginning in 11/2004. On 11/11/2004 he comes in to the office early in the morning and reports that he will be receiving rental assistance from his family. This report will reduce his payment. An online GK notice is produced and handed to Otis. Later that same afternoon, Otis comes into the office and reports that his family has decided not to provide him with any rental assistance. As a result, his SSI payment will increase back to the $444.00 just like it was at the beginning of the day.

Situation

The notice system will not produce a notice if the due amount in the Computation History at the end of the day equals the due amount in the Computation History at the beginning of the day and there were no other changes on the record. Normally, this is not an issue unless you produce an Online GK notice earlier in the day.

Explanation

If changes are made in the due amount that result in an Online GK notice being produced during the day and then these changes are later undone causing no change in the due amount at the end of the same day, FOs must prepare a manual notice to tell the SSI recipient that their benefit is no longer being decreased. The SSI notice system will not issue a Notice of Important Information (SSA-L8166) in this situation, so a manual notice is required.

(See NL 00803.085 for information regarding the SSA-L8166)