Effective Dates: 10/04/2016 - Present Previous | Next

TN 26 (10-16)

GN 02401.005 Field Office Check Intercept

A. Check intercept background

On rare occasions, a field office (FO) may request the United States Postal Service (USPS) to intercept a Title II or Title XVI benefit check prior to its delivery. This process does not apply to a direct deposit payment.

1. When to request a check intercept

a. Title II checks

This applies if a check is not due or routine procedures cannot stop its issuance (i.e., suspension or termination).

b. Title XI checks

Only if the FO employee has determined payee misuse as discussed in GN 00604.001.

2. Who can request a check intercept

a. Title II checks

The processing centers (PCs) may ask the FO to intercept monthly or prior month accrual (PMA) checks with incorrect amounts.

b. Title XVI checks

An FO employee may intercept a Title XVI check if he or she has determined payee misuse. See the misuse procedures in GN 00604.001 - GN 00604.075.

B. Check-intercept policy

The FO uses the check-intercept procedures only for Title II checks, not direct deposits. Because of special due process considerations, do not intercept Title XVI checks.

EXCEPTION: An FO employee may intercept a Title XVI check if he or she has determined payee misuse. See the misuse procedures in GN 00604.001 - GN 00604.075.

In addition, SSA must reissue the Title XVI intercepted check to the new payee (or directly to the recipient) without a significant delay.

However, technicians must not reissue Title II checks intercepted because they were not due. Also, technicians must correct the amount on checks intercepted because they were for an incorrect amount before reissuance.

Do not request a check intercept to force a beneficiary to contact the FO.

C. Procedure for intercepting Title II and Title XVI checks

Use this procedure only when the FO needs to request intercept of a check, not for direct deposit. Do not use this procedure to attempt intercept of a Title XVI check unless the payee misuse exception applies.

1. To intercept a Title II check

FO technicians should follow the instructions below when intercepting a Title II check.

  • •

    Prepare a written request, addressed to the local postmaster with jurisdiction over the payee's address.

  • •

    Fully describe the piece of mail you are recalling. Show the name and address, exactly as shown on the check. Include the date of payment if this is a recurring monthly check, and the address of the sender, which is the processing center of jurisdiction.

  • •

    Include a reference to section 507.5.1.2 of the USPS Domestic Mail Manual DMM 507 Mailer Services.

  • •

    Instruct USPS to print "Check Intercept" or “CI” on the envelope under the return address.

  • •

    Return the recalled check to the issuing Department of the Treasury Regional Financial Center (RFC). Include the address of the RFC in the notice.

  • •

    Have the request signed by the FO manager (or the person acting as manager).

    NOTE: The FO manager calls to alert the postmaster prior to interception.

  • •

    The FO manager hand delivers the request to the postmaster. The FOs should use an agency credit card to cover possible charges.

NOTE: Do not fax the request unless the postmaster agrees to this method when the FO manager calls, as USPS rules allow Federal Government agencies to request check intercept only by a Mailgram or an Express Mail letter.

2. To intercept a Title XVI check

FO technicians should follow the instructions below when intercepting a Title XVI check involving misuse.

  • •

    Prepare a written request, addressed to the local postmaster with jurisdiction over the payee's address.

  • •

    Fully describe the piece of mail you are recalling. Show the name and address, exactly as shown on the check. Include the date of payment if this is a recurring monthly check, and the address of the sender, which is the processing center of jurisdiction.

  • •

    Include a reference to section 507.5.1.2 of the USPS Domestic Mail Manual DMM 507 Mailer Services.

  • •

    Instruct USPS to print "Change of Payee" or “CP” on the envelope under the return address.

  • •

    Return the recalled check to the issuing Department of the Treasury Regional Financial Center (RFC). Include the address of the RFC in the notice.

  • •

    Have the request signed by the FO manager (or the person acting as manager).

    NOTE: The FO manager calls to alert the postmaster prior to interception.

  • •

    The FO manager hand delivers the request to the postmaster. The FOs should use an agency credit card to cover possible charges.

NOTE: Do not fax the request unless the postmaster agrees to this method when the FO manager calls, as USPS rules allow Federal Government agencies to request check intercept only by a Mailgram or an Express Mail letter.

D. Sample intercept request

1. Title XVI check

The following is an example of an FO request for the postmaster to intercept a Title XVI check.

  

May 28, 2016 

     

Per Section 507.5.1.2 of the Domestic Mail Manual, please intercept the check dated 06-03-16 with the following name and address information:

   

 

 

Addressee:

John D. Beneficiary

1234 Main Street

Anytown, CA 90001

From:

Social Security Administration

600 W Madison St

Chicago, IL 60661

  

Do not return the check unless the name and address are exactly as shown above.

Please print “CP” on the Treasury envelope under return address.



Please return the check enclosed in the Treasury envelope to:

Department of the Treasury

Kansas City Regional Financial Center

P.O. Box 12599-0599

Kansas City, MO 64116-0599

     

     

     

(Your signature)



Mary A. Smith

Manager

Social Security Administration

13 Elm Street

Anytown, CA, 90001

   

Phone Number: (410) 111-1111

Fax Number: (410) 111-2222

2. Title II checks

The following is an example of an FO request for the postmaster to intercept Title II checks.

  

June 28, 2016 

      

Per Section 507.5.1.2 of the Domestic Mail Manual, please intercept the check dated 07-01-16 with the following name and address information:

      

 

 

Addressee:

   

   

   

From:

John D. Beneficiary

1234 Main Street

Anytown, CA 90001

 

Social Security Administration

P.O. Box 51317

Philadelphia, PA 19115-6317

  

Do not return the check unless the name and address are exactly as shown above.

Please print “CI” on the Treasury envelope under return address.



Please return the check enclosed in the Treasury envelope to:

Department of the Treasury

Kansas City Regional Financial Center

P.O. Box 12599-0599

Kansas City, MO 64116-0599

  

  

  

(Your signature)



Mary A. Smith

Manager

Social Security Administration

13 Elm Street

Anytown, CA, 90001

   

Phone Number: (410) 111-1111

Fax Number: (410) 111-2222

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0202401005
GN 02401.005 - Field Office Check Intercept - 10/04/2016
Batch run: 03/08/2024
Rev:10/04/2016