Effective Dates: 08/04/2026 - Present Previous | Next

TN 13 (08-26)

SI 00515.002 Good Cause - Harassment or Abuse

CITATIONS:

Social Security Act as amended, Section 1631(e)(1)(B)
Regulations: 20 CFR 416.207 & 416.1321

A. Policy

An individual cannot be eligible for SSI benefits unless they give SSA permission to contact any financial institution and request any financial records that financial institution may have about them. In addition, an individual cannot be eligible for SSI benefits unless their deemors give SSA permission to contact any financial institution and request any financial records that financial institution may have about them. In some situations, an SSI claimant may be unable to obtain permission from a deemor because the deemor is harassing, abusing, or endangering the life of the SSI claimant. If we determine that harassment, abuse, or life endangerment exists, we may provide a good cause exception from the requirement that the deemor give SSA permission to contact financial institutions.

B. Definitions

1. Harassment

Harassment is the systematic annoyance of an individual through deliberate, unprovoked conduct including threats to or the stalking of an individual, which causes the individual to fear for their life, personal safety, or emotional well being.

2. Abuse

Abuse is the deliberate mistreatment of an individual which causes physical or emotional injury and which causes the individual to fear for their life, personal safety, or emotional well being.

3. Life Endangerment

Life endangerment is the exposure of an individual to injury or danger that threatens the individuals life.

C. Procedure

If an SSI claimant alleges the inability to obtain financial permission from a deemor because the deemor is harassing, abusing, or endangering their life, good cause should be developed by requesting corroborating evidence from the claimant.

1. Acceptable Evidence Examples

a. Primary Evidence

  • •

    Police reports and/or records which include information regarding the harassment/abuse.

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    Restraining orders based on harassment/abuse or violence against the claimant.

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    Signed and dated letters from prosecuting attorneys, social workers, domestic violence or homeless shelters, or other government agencies.

  • •

    Official court documents.

  • •

    Medical records.

b. Secondary Evidence

Signed and dated statements from the individuals family or friends who have first hand knowledge of the harassment/abuse.

2. Unacceptable Evidence Examples

  • •

    Photographs showing the results of an act of harassment/abuse such as personal injury or property damage without additional evidence that connects the act to the deemor. However, a victim may provide a photo showing their personal injury/property damage accompanied by a hospital or police report that makes this connection.

  • •

    Statements from family or friends who do not have first hand knowledge of the harassment/abuse. For example, a friend completes a statement which indicates that they heard about, but didn't actually witness or see the results of the abuse.

3. Documenting Good Cause

If the SSI claimant provides sufficient evidence which indicates that the deemor is harassing, abusing, or endangering their life, good cause should be recorded in MSSICS on the Financial Institutions Permission page (see MS 08108.020). Record the type of good cause (e.g., harassment/abuse) and the evidence used to establish good cause on aReport of Contact or on the EVID screen in shared processes.

NOTE: In cases where the deemor is also a recipients representative payee and there is an allegation of harassment, abuse, or life endangerment, consider the need for developing a new payee (see GN 00504.100).

4. Allegation of Status Change

Be alert to situations where good cause has been established, but the material facts appear to have changed. Re-develop good cause if a report of change is received that indicates a prior good cause determination based on harassment, abuse, or life endangerment may no longer apply.

EXAMPLE:

A claimant is applying for benefits as a disabled individual and alleges that they wont be able to obtain the financial permission from their spouse due to domestic abuse. The claimant provides a police report and medical records establishing that the spouse has been abusing them, but the claimant has not been able to find alternative housing at the time of the interview. The CS finds that good cause exists to exclude permission from the spouse as a factor of the claimant's eligibility. When the claimant is interviewed during the pre-effectuation review contact (PERC) five months later, they allege that the abusive situation has been resolved. Good cause should be re-developed and permission to contact financial institutions should be obtained from the spouse.

5. Redeveloping Good Cause During a Redetermination

When completing a redetermination, note whether or not good cause was previously established for a deemor. If good cause was previously established, redevelop good cause since the material facts may have changed since the prior determination.

D. References

SI 00515.001, Requirement to Give Permission to Contact Financial Institutions

SI 00515.003, Good Cause Failure to Cooperate

MS 08108.020, Financial Institutions Permission (AFIP)

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500515002
SI 00515.002 - Good Cause - Harassment or Abuse - 08/04/2026
Batch run: 08/04/2026
Rev:08/04/2026