TN 75 (09-24)

GN 00605.225 How to Evaluate Payee Response About Balance in Dedicated Account

A. INTRODUCTION

This section explains how to review the payee's response about the balance in the dedicated account as an indicator of unreported expenditures from, and/or deposits into, the dedicated account.

B. DESCRIPTION OF SSA-6233-BK - Question 8

Question 8 — What is the balance, including any interest earned, in the dedicated account as of the last month in the report period? If none show zeros.—-[ ][ ],[ ] [ ][ ]

If the payee has deposited other funds into the dedicated account, count the dedicated account as a resource. Follow instructions in SI 01130.601C.1, if dedicated account funds have been commingled with other funds.

C. PROCEDURE

1. Evaluate Dedicated Account Balance

DECISION FACTOR: FOs should use their best judgement to decide if the balance in the dedicated account is reasonable when compared to the “Total Dedicated Account Amount,” and the payee's responses to the deposit and use of funds questions (6 and 7) on the SSA-6233-BK. If a balance has been posted to the SSR, as described in GN 00605.230B.2, compare the current balance to that figure.

FO personnel has the authority to ask the payee to provide a detailed explanation of what they purchased, including the amount of each purchase and how the item(s) benefit the beneficiary and relate to their impairment. Payees are required to report this information, if questioned.

2. Balance Is Questionable

  • Conduct a face-to-face interview with the payee whenever practical.

  • Review the payee's financial records and receipts for expenditures.

  • Correct the dedicated account balance as appropriate. If you need to correct the balance, retransmit the balance, as described in GN 00605.230B.2.a.

  • Correct the conserved funds balance (question 3D on the SSA-6233-BK) as appropriate.

  • Follow the procedures for making a misapplication determination, if your review of the dedicated account reveals that the payee knowingly misapplied funds for items or services not permitted. (See GN 00602.140.C.8.)

  • Follow the procedures in SI 01130.601 to count the dedicated account as a resource, if your review of the dedicated account reveals an impermissible deposit.

  • Consider changing the payee or making direct payment if the payee did not use dedicated account funds properly.

D. REFERENCES

  • GN 00602.140 Permitted Expenditures From Dedicated Accounts

  • SI 01130.601 Excluding Funds in Dedicated Account From Resources

  • GN 00602.150 Misapplication of Funds in a Dedicated Account

 


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200605225
GN 00605.225 - How to Evaluate Payee Response About Balance in Dedicated Account - 09/16/2024
Batch run: 10/21/2024
Rev:09/16/2024