TN 32 (08-23)

GN 00504.270 Reply to a Show Cause Order Advising the Social Security Administration of Potential Guardian Appointment

If a field office (FO) receives a show cause order, that notifies Social Security Administration (SSA) that a State court may appoint a guardian for a beneficiary, use the following procedure:

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  Determine if you need to reply. If so, contact with the Assistant Regional Commissioner (ARC) Program Operations and Systems (POS), Retirement, and Survivors, Insurance/Supplemental Security Income (RSI/SSI) Programs Branch may be necessary. Prepare the reply.

  NOTE: As a model for the reply, use the notice in NL 00703.773. (This notice is on the Document Processing System (DPS) under RSI notices.)

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  Send a copy of the notice to the court issuing the show cause order. (If received in a component other than the FO, mail it to the servicing FO, Attention: Manager.)

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  Establish a follow up diary for a 30-day telephone follow up with the attorney of record (or petitioner) to learn if the court appointed a guardian. If the court appointed a guardian, obtain the name and address of the guardian.

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  Contact the guardian to see if they wish to file as the beneficiary's representative payee. Ask the guardian to bring or mail a certified copy of the court order appointing them as the beneficiary's guardian. For information on when to suspend benefits, refer to GN 00504.110.