GN 00605.065 What the Questions and Payee Responses Mean

A. Introduction

This section describes what information is being solicited on all accounting forms, and in what context to evaluate the payee's responses.

B. Background

Although the questions are worded differently on the SSA-623-OCR-SM and the SSA-6230-OCR-SM, the information being solicited from the payee is essentially the same on both forms.

1. Question 1 Payee Felony Conviction

This question is designed to determine when the payee may no longer be suitable to act as representative payee. (GN 00502.133)

2. Question 2 Custody of Beneficiary

This question is designed to determine whether the payee continues to be in the best position to know the beneficiary's needs.

3. Questions 3 A.-D. Use of Benefits

These use of benefits questions are designed to determine if the payee is the one who decides how benefits are used, and if benefits are being used for current needs and/or saved for the beneficiary's foreseeable needs.

4. Questions 4 and 5 Conserved Funds

These questions are designed to determine how conserved funds are held and the manner in which the account or investment is titled.

C. SSA-6234-OCR-SM

The questions on the SSA-6234-OCR-SM are similar to those on the SSA-623-OCR-SM and SSA-6230-OCR-SM with a few exceptions:

1. Question 1 Custody of Beneficiary

This question is designed to determine whether the payee organization continues to be in the best position to know the beneficiary’s needs.

2. Question 2 A.-E. Use of Benefits

These questions are designed to determine if the payee is the one who decides how benefits are used, and if benefits are being used for current needs and/or saved for the beneficiary's foreseeable needs. Question 2B. asks the payee organization about whether it collects a fee for payee services and, if so, how much.

3. Questions 3 and 4 Conserved Funds