A former payee is generally required to return any conserved funds to SSA for recertification to the new payee or to the beneficiary when the beneficiary becomes their own payee.

If a final accounting is required, include a request for return of conserved funds to SSA for recertification to the new payee or the beneficiary, if appropriate with the request for final accounting, see GN 00603.055. In exceptional situations, the former payee may be authorized to continue administering the conserved funds, see GN 00603.130.

Generally, a “large amount” of conserved funds is any amount over $4,000. Instructions for administering a large amount of conserved funds are in GN 00502.186, GN 00603.070, and GN 00603.085. Procedures for handling large amounts of conserved funds may be used for smaller amounts at the discretion of the SSA technician.

See Details:

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  GN 00603.055 Transfer of Conserved Funds

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  GN 00603.025 Dedicated Accounts for Disabled/Blind SSI Recipients Under Age 18

Compare the amount reported on the final accounting form to the amount of conserved funds actually returned. Check the Debt Management System (DMS) to determine if the funds were returned. For information on the DMS, see MSOM DMS 003.023.

1. 1. 

   If the final accounting report shows there are no conserved funds, document the Make Note screen of the eRPS.

2. 2. 

   If there are conserved funds and the amount returned is consistent with the amount indicated on the final accounting form, recertify the conserved funds to the successor payee or beneficiary in accordance.

   See Details:

   • •

     GN 00603.001 Conservation of Benefits – Basic Policy;

   • •

     NL 00703.354 Conserved Benefits Entire Amount Paid to New Representative Payee or to the Beneficiary; and

   • •

     NL 00703.356 Conserved Benefits Monthly Installments Paid To New Representative Payee

3. 3. 

   If there are conserved funds and the amount returned is not consistent with the amount indicated on the final accounting form:

   • •

     recertify the returned funds to the successor payee or beneficiary;

   • •

     re-contact the former payee to obtain an explanation of the discrepancy and to request any existing balance of conserved funds; and

   • •

     update the Make Note of the eRPS with documentation of the contact.

4. 4. 

   If the former payee does not respond to SSA's requests to return the conserved funds, develop for possible misuse of benefits. If the amount of the conserved funds is $3,000 or more, refer the case to the RO, ARC, Programs Operations, and Systems (POS), for referral to the U.S. Attorney for possible civil suit. We do not withhold funds or request refunds while a civil suit is in progress, see SI 02220.035.

5. 5. 

   If the former payee refuses to return conserved funds and the funds amount to less than $3000, document the Make Note screen of the eRPS of the attempts made to obtain the funds. SSA will take no further action.

6. 6. 

   If the payee refuses to return conserved funds to SSA, check the eRPS to determine if the payee serves other beneficiaries. If the payee serves other beneficiaries, a determination of their continued suitability to act as payee on other accounts may be in order.

7. 7. 

   Record conserved funds reported on the accounting form to the SSR in accordance with SM 01301.639.

8. 8. 

   For concurrent cases, record conserved funds as title XVI.

See Details:

GN 00603.001 Conservation of Benefits – Basic Policy