Effective Dates: 4/07/2026 - Present

Identification Number:
GN 00502 TN 102
Intended Audience:See Transmittal Sheet
Originating Office:LP ISP
Title:Determining the Need for, Developing and Selecting a Representative Payee
Type:POMS Full Transmittals
Program:All Programs
Link To Reference:
 

PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANUAL SYSTEM
Part GN – General
Chapter 005 – Selection of Representative Payee
Subchapter 02 – Determining the Need for, Developing and Selecting a Representative Payee
Transmittal No. 102, 04/07/2026

Audience

PSC: CA, CCRE, CS, ICDS, IES, ISRA, NPR, RECONR, SCPS, TSA, TST;
OCO-OEIO: BTE, CCRE, CR, CTE, FCR, PETL, RECONR;
OCO-ODO: BTE, CCE, CR, CST, CTE, CTE TE, DSE, LCC, PETE, PETL, RECONE;
FO/TSC: CS, CS TII, CS TXVI, CSR, CTE, DRT, FR, OA, OS, RR, TA, TSC-CSR;

Originating Component

ISP

Effective Date

Upon Receipt

Background

This transmittal provides updated instructions to ensure we record the representative payee's Social Security Number (SSN) on the MBR/SSR and when it's appropriate to use an SSA-11-BK form.

Summary of Changes

GN 00502.107 The Representative Payee Application

Subsection A - we updated language on processing representative payee applications in eRPS and when it's appropriate to use the SSA-11-BK form.

GN 00502.115 The SSA-11-BK, Request to be Selected As Payee

Subsection B - we removed language of when it's appropriate to use an SSA-11-BK form.

GN 00502.117 Verifying Information Provided by a Payee or Payee Applicant

Subsection B - we clarified that all representative payees must have an SSN unless they are one of the two exception scenarios.

GN 00502.107 The Representative Payee Application

A. Policy

Take the representative payee application in the Electronic Representative Payee System (eRPS).

1. Who must complete a payee application?

Anyone who wishes to receive benefits as a representative payee must complete the SSA-11. Representative payee applications must be processed through the eRPS. You may take a payee application using the paper form SSA-11-BK. In rare situations, when the application cannot be processed through eRPS (i.e., a parent payee who cannot be assigned an SSN), see manual processing instructions GN 00502.190.

One payee application applies for all benefits payable to the beneficiary if the decisions will be made at the same time. If an applicant is currently serving as payee for one type of benefit and another type is subsequently awarded, a separate representative payee application is needed from the payee for the subsequent benefit. Appoint the same payee for all types of benefits. Remember to follow proper advance notice procedures GN 00503.100. 

NOTE: For organizational payees, we expect the principal officer or an employee of the agency who has the authority to sign or act as an agent of the organization to file and sign the representative payee application (including signature proxy).

2. What if the beneficiary wants to receive payments directly?

When a beneficiary, who has a representative payee, requests direct payment, you need to interview the beneficiary (preferably face-to-face) to reevaluate their capability per GN 00502.020A.5. and GN 00502.055. You also need to contact the beneficiary's current payee to obtain their input regarding whether or not the beneficiary is now capable of managing or directing someone else to manage their benefits. Make a capability determination based on all the evidence you gather or provided to you. If you decide the beneficiary is now capable of managing or directing someone else to manage their own benefits, the beneficiary must complete an SSA-11 using the eRPS. The eRPS generates the appropriate application. If the SSA-11 cannot be processed in the eRPS, only answer questions 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8 on the SSA-11-BK.

EXCEPTION: An SSA-11 is not needed to convert a student child beneficiary to direct pay at age 18, nor to convert an SSI recipient to direct pay at age 18. An SSA-11 is required for converting a CDB who is capable to direct pay at age 18. However, if capability must be developed, you must obtain all needed documentation, see GN 00502.075 and GN 00504.105.

3. How do I use the information obtained on the application?

Use the information obtained on the application to evaluate the payee applicant's qualifications and suitability to serve as payee. You can also use the information provided to determine whether any other potential payees are available. In addition, the eRPS will display any known information about the payee's past performance as payee and past criminal information that had been recorded. This information is provided so that you can make a well-informed decision about the applicant's suitability, refer to GN 00502.132.

REMINDER: Be alert to situations that may indicate any type of disqualifying or fraudulent activity.

B. Procedure

1. What should I do if the application raises questions of suitability?

If you doubt any information the applicant provides, obtain additional information that would verify the applicant's answer(s) to any question(s). You may need to contact a reliable third party to obtain the additional information.

To document in eRPS, use the Rep Payee Applicant “Note Type” on the Make Note screen or outside of eRPS use an SSA-5002, Report of Contact. Document your reasons for appointing as payee any applicant whose suitability raises a concern, see MS 07416,002. Also, you should prepare a 3-month diary to follow-up on the payee's performance; use the Add New Issue screen in the eRPS, see MS 07408,007, or another reliable source.

2. When can I use an abbreviated application?

The eRPS produces an abbreviated application when the applicant is a parent with custody of a minor child or a spouse with custody. When the applicant is already serving as the beneficiary's payee for one type of benefit, the system pre-fills the application to serve for another type of benefit.

If the application cannot be processed in the eRPS, complete only items 2 through 5, 9, 12, 18 and 19 of the SSA-11BK if the applicant is:

  • •

    A parent with custody of a minor child;

  • •

    A spouse with custody;

  • •

    Already serving as the beneficiary's payee for one type of benefit and the beneficiary is now being awarded another type of benefit; or

  • •

    The beneficiary's court-appointed voluntary conservator, see GN 00502.139A.4.

NOTE: The same notice (including advance notice) and documentation requirements apply for an abbreviated application as for a full application.

3. Can I use signature proxy for RP applications?

Effective 11/19/05, changes made to the eRPS allow the expanded use of signature proxy for those applications taken via eRPS. Signature proxy can be used on applications filed by individual payee applicants or by officers/agents of an organizational payee applicant.

Effective 11/19/05 all representative payee applications (SG-SSA-11) taken via the eRPS are stored electronically in the Online Retrieval System (ORS), refer to GN 00201.015 and GN 00502.110.

In those rare cases when eRPS cannot be used and a paper SSA-11 was taken, SSA stores the SSA-11 after all processing actions have been taken through the NDRed by using the Evidence Portal (EP) or Electronic Disability Claims Folder (eDIB) e.g., for disability claims; fax the SSA-11 into the electronic folder, see GN 00301.322).

NOTE: SG-SSA-11s are stored in ORS under the beneficiary's own social number (BOAN), therefore, you must enter the BOAN to retrieve/view a copy from ORS.

C. References

GN 00502.110C

MS INTRANETERPS 001.001 Taking payee applications in the eRPS

GN 00502.115 Completion of SSA-11-BK

SI 00604.087 Completion of SSA-8000-BK

GN 00201.015 Alternative Signature Methods

GN 00502.115 The SSA-11-BK, Request to be Selected As Payee

A. Introduction

This section provides guidance for using the SSA-11-BK to process a potential representative payee's (payee) application, when it is not possible to use the electronic Representative Payee System (eRPS).

B. Policy

The SSA-11-BK is the paper form a potential payee completes to apply to be payee. Use the paper form only, when it is not possible to use eRPS. For example, we must take paper applications for applicants who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) and cannot be assigned one. If you appoint a payee who does not have an SSN, you must update the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR), Supplemental Security Record (SSR), or both with your payee selection via manual action, see GN 00502.190.

To the extent practicable, complete the SSA-11-BK in a face-to-face interview and retain a copy in eView using the Evidence Portal (EP) or the eView application, or in the Non-Disability Repository for Evidentiary Documents (NDRED) using the EP.

For instructions about telephone or video service delivery (VSD) interviews for undue hardship or subsequent face-to-face interviews, see GN 00502.113B.

For procedures on retaining the SSA-11-BK, see GN 00502.110. Faxed, mailed, or dropped off SSA-11-BK's are leads and you must follow up with a face-to-face, telephone, or VSD interview.

 

NOTE: 

If the recipient dies before you process the SSA-11-BK completely, handle the form as incomplete, and notify the payee applicant of the action taken, see GN 01010.475 and GN 00502.110.

C. Description of entry or expected answer(s) for the SSA-11-BK (Page 1)

Use the following chart to determine what information you should expect in response to specific questions on page 1 of the SSA-11-BK and how to evaluate those answers SSA-11-BK

Question

Explanation

Heading

Enter appropriate payee coding, see SM 01601.565.

NOTE: 

Payee coding is required for all beneficiaries when a representative payee is appointed.

Enter the number holder's name and SSN and the recipient(s) name(s) and SSN(s).

1

Complete this question only when the recipient is applying to become their own payee and requesting direct payment.

2

Use in conjunction with other evidence of capability to decide whether the recipient needs a representative payee. Obtain information about:

  • •

    how the recipient is handling any money now received,

  • •

    how the recipient interacts with society, and

  • •

    any other information that will help you determine the recipients ability to make reasonable judgments about managing their funds.

NOTE: 

If direct payment is precluded, only state the precluding condition.

Minor children—check the indicator block if the recipient is a minor child.

3

Obtain information about how the applicant shows interest in and demonstrates responsibility for the recipient. This will help you decide if the applicant is the best possible payee.

4

The information you receive to this question will help you decide whether the applicant is able to meet with the recipient(s) on a regular basis to ascertain their current and foreseeable needs.

5

Information received regarding legal guardians and conservators are necessary to identify third parties that must receive notice and possible higher payee preferences.  
ALERT: Appointment of a legal guardian by a court may indicate that the recipient is legally incompetent, see GN 00502.001C and GN 00502.130B.

D. Description of entry or expected answer(s) for the SSA-11-BK (Page 2)

Use the following chart to determine what information you should expect in response to specific questions on page 2 of the SSA-11-BK and how to evaluate those answers:

Question

Explanation

6

A recipients living arrangement may supply information relevant to your capability decision, indicate other potential payee sources, and identify the custodian.

7

The information you receive to this question may provide a lead to a candidate higher on the payee preference list, see GN 00502.105. A parent with custody of a minor child is generally the preferred payee for that child.

NOTE: 

If the child(ren) is/are in foster care additional considerations are involved, see GN 00502.159.

8

Use the names obtained from this question as potential payee leads.

9

This serves to identify payee type (indicates if additional development is needed) and to determine which of the remaining questions the applicant must complete.

E. Description of entry or expected answer(s) for the SSA-11-BK (Pages 3 and 4)

Use the following chart to determine what information you should expect in response to specific questions on pages 3 and 4 of the SSA-11-BK and how to evaluate those answers:

Question

Explanation

10

The information provided will determine if the payee applicant is a creditor, see GN 00502.135.

11

Only institutions, agencies and financial institutions are required to answer this question. It will capture identifying information about the applicant's organization.

12

This will supply information about the applicant used to verify the applicant's SSN and identity. An SSN is required from an individual, see GN 00502.117. Do not request the SSN if the applicant is filing as an official representing an institution or organization. Instead, obtain the EIN of the institution/organization the applicant represents (question 11). For additional EIN information, see GN 00502.118 and MS 07414.002 Establish Organization/Institution screen.

13

The answer to this question will help you assess how long the applicant has known the recipient.

14

This will help you assess the applicant's suitability and may elicit other potential payee leads.

15

The information provided will help you evaluate the payee applicant’s income situation and may factor into how likely the applicant will use the benefits in the best interest of the recipient.

16

If the applicant gives permission to run a criminal background check, it will help you assess their criminal history when you use the eRPS Background Check screens. For further instructions on conducting a criminal background check and a list of payee applicants who are exempt, see GN 00502.113D.

17

Individuals convicted under Sections 208, 811, or 1632(a) of the Social Security Act cannot serve as payee. There are no exceptions. For additional instructions on the use of the answers to this question, see GN 00502.133.

18

The information obtained will help you determine whether the applicant is a fugitive felon. Section 103 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 provides that, effective April 1, 2005, fugitive felons are prohibited from serving as payee, see GN 00502.133A.2.

19

The length of time an applicant has lived in their current location may help you with assessing the applicant's stability in the community, a factor that bears on suitability as payee. However, you should obtain additional information about the situation surrounding the change of address to determine if it has any bearing on applicant's suitability. 

For an applicant who has merely changed their fixed address recently from another fixed address, change of address is not an indicator of unsuitability as payee. However, if an applicant changes residence frequently, the applicant may have no true fixed address. While this does not necessarily indicate the applicant is unsuitable, a transient lifestyle may raise some question about the applicant's suitability.

F. References

GN 00502.117 Verifying Information Provided by a Payee or Payee Applicant

A. Policy for verifying information a payee or payee applicant provides

We are legally required to verify the identity and Social Security Number (SSN) information (or employer identification number, (EIN) of a representative payee (payee) applicant. Verifying additional information provided by the applicant (e.g., income, custody, and criminal history) helps technicians determine a payee's or payee applicant's suitability.

1. Verifying SSNs and EINs

a. Payees residing in the U.S.

All individual payees must have an SSN except in the two exception scenarios described in this subsection. All organizational payees must have an EIN. You must ensure that the payee’s SSN or EIN is obtained and recorded on the MBR or SSR.

EXCEPTION 1: If the payee applicant is a parent filing to be payee for their minor child and we cannot issue an SSN, appoint the parent as payee if they are suitable, and manually process the case. For information on processing manual payee selections, see GN 00502.190.

You must verify an organizational payee applicant’s EIN. For instructions on how to verify an organizational payee applicant’s EIN, see GN 00502.118.

b. Payees residing outside the U.S.

EXCEPTION 2: A payee who resides outside the U.S. may not have an SSN. Since we only issue SSNs to foreign nationals residing outside the U.S. in specific situations, we cannot require others to have an SSN as a condition of payee appointment. Therefore, the procedures for verifying SSNs do not apply to payee applicants living in foreign countries who cannot have an SSN. For information on processing manual payee selections, see GN 00502.190.

2. Verifying identity

You must verify an individual payee or payee applicant's identity in all cases. For additional policy instructions refer to GN 00502.117B.2.

3. Verifying criminal history

You must develop if:

  • •

    our systems queries contain criminal history information,

  • •

    a criminal background check indicates past criminal history or

  • •

    an individual voluntarily provides past criminal history during the representative payee application.

NOTE: Most crimes received in the electronic Representative Payee System (eRPS) from a criminal background check are either felonies or barred crimes, see GN 00502.133A. Before marking a crime as non-felony in eRPS, you must follow the procedures in GN 00502.117B.3. You cannot take the payee's or payee applicant's word that the crime listed from the criminal background check is not a felony without following the proper verification procedures.

You must weigh information about the payee's or payee applicant's criminal history, (i.e., the nature of the crime and when the crime occurred), along with the relationship to and custody of the beneficiary when making a determination involving a payee or payee applicant. We bar individuals convicted of certain crimes from serving as payees. See the policy for barring individuals convicted of crimes from serving as payees in GN 00502.133A.

4. Verifying income

The source of a payee applicant's income may be a factor in determining how likely the applicant is to use the benefits in the beneficiary's best interests. An applicant who does not have a reliable source of income may be more likely to divert the beneficiary's funds for the payee applicant's own use. In addition, failure to provide verifiable information about income may be a strong indicator that the payee applicant has failed to provide correct information about other factors that affect payee suitability.

5. Verifying custody

You must verify custody when the payee applicant is a parent alleging custody of the minor child for whom they are filing and the other parent does not live in the same household. In all other cases, FOs may use discretion as to the need to verify custody. To verify custody, follow instructions in GN 00502.117B.5.

B. Procedure for verifying information a payee or payee applicant provides

1. Verifying payee applicant's SSN and EIN

Verify an individual applicant's SSN before you appoint the individual as payee.

Obtain the EIN for an organizational payee applicant and verify against the Employment Identification File (EIF) when initially establishing an organizational payee in electronic Representative Payee System (eRPS) by following the instructions in GN 00502.118.

a. Application processed through the eRPS

When processing an application through eRPS, verifying the SSN is part of the application process. eRPS accesses the NUMIDENT/ICD and displays the payee applicant's name and date of birth. Ask the applicant for that information and compare it to the data displayed to verify ownership of the SSN. If the information matches, no further verification is needed.

b. Application processed outside eRPS

When the payee applicant does not have an SSN, we manually process a payee application for a parent filing to be payee for their minor child. These are the only cases processed outside of eRPS. For information on manual payee actions, see GN 00502.190.

c. SSN not verified because there is a death indicator on NUMIDENT

If the payee applicant's NUMIDENT has a death indicator, eRPS cannot verify the SSN. If there is a death indicator, follow the instructions in GN 00304.100.

2. Verifying payee applicant’s identity

a. Individual payee applicant

During an in-person interview, ask the individual payee applicant to furnish documents to verify their identity.

NOTE: Examples of acceptable evidence of identity include a valid driver's license, state issued I.D. card, U.S. passport, or government issued I.D. The evidence of identity must be unexpired.

Document a description of the evidence presented on the Proof of Applicant's Identity screen in the eRPS (MS 07409.011).

During a telephone interview, verify the payee applicant's identity consistent with the claimant identity process outlined in GN 00203.020A.2.b.

EXCEPTION: Do not ask for verification of identity if during this interview session the applicant proved identity in conjunction with a claim for benefits.

b. Organizational payee applicant

Ask the employee of an organizational payee to provide the following information to verify identity:

  • •

    their name and job title;

  • •

    the name of the organization;

  • •

    the organization’s address; and

  • •

    the organization’s EIN (Employer Identification Number).

Use the Rep Payee Applicant “Note Type” on the Make Note screen to document the employee’s name and job title in eRPS.

3. Verifying criminal history

A payee or payee applicant's past criminal record is important to the suitability determination and requires verification before making your selection or retain payee determination. To perform a criminal background check through eRPS, see GN 00502.113D.3.

Review the criminal information on the Criminal Background Check Results screen in eRPS and discuss with the payee or payee applicant. To process the VRFCRM work issue, see GN 00502.302.

Most crimes received in eRPS are either felonies or barred crimes. To verify a non-felony, you must select one of the four dropdown options on the Criminal History Verification screen (MS 07410.008):

  • •

    Court Document/Prison Release Papers;

  • •

    Regional Chief Counsel Opinion;

  • •

    Erroneous Criminal Information; or

  • •

    Misdemeanor in the Offense Type Field (see field on the Criminal Background Check Results screen)

After selecting the appropriate dropdown option, you must document the information requested in the text box.

If a payee or payee applicant indicates they were convicted of any of the crimes listed in GN 00502.133A, there is no reason to request further documentation. The payee's or payee applicant's allegation of a conviction for one of these crimes is the only verification needed.

a. Requesting court documents or prison release papers

If you determine the criminal information is incomplete and it affects your determination:

  1. 1. 

    Inform the payee or payee applicant that they need to provide the appropriate court documents that reflect the information you need.

    1. a. 

      If the Prisoner Update Processing System (PUPS) record does not reflect a release date, the payee or payee applicant must provide release papers.

    2. b. 

      If you need to determine the type of conviction or type of crime, the payee or payee applicant must produce documentation that provides this information.

  2. 2. 

    Control for the return of the court documents or prison release papers using the VRFCRM work issue for the payee or payee applicant and follow up with them via telephone or mail as necessary. For instructions on how to process the VRFCRM work issue, see GN 00502.302.

    1. a. 

      If, after 15 days, the payee or payee applicant has not contacted you or submitted the court documents or prison release papers, begin developing for another payee or consider direct payment.

    2. b. 

      If, after 30 days, from the initial request for information, the payee applicant has not contacted you or submitted the court documents or release papers, “non-select” the payee applicant and use the Rep Payee Applicant “Note Type” on the Make Note screen to document the reasons why you did not select the payee applicant. If you cannot verify the criminal history for a payee who is currently serving after 30 days, use the following steps:

      • •

        Complete the Payee Retention Decision – Criminal History screen (MS 07410.009).

      • •

        Answer "Yes" to the "Is a change of payee needed?" question.

      • •

        Document the reasons why you removed the payee on the Make Note screen under the Representative Payee Details Page in eRPS.

      • •

        Process a payee application and appoint a new suitable payee or consider direct payment, if applicable.

  3. 3. 

    When the payee or payee applicant submits the court documents or prison release papers:

    1. a. 

      Review the information carefully; and

    2. b. 

      Follow up with the payee or payee applicant to clarify previous answers, if necessary.

    3. c. 

      Review the barred crimes state digest in GN 00502.301. This digest breaks down the barred crimes discussed in GN 00502.133A.4 based on the state or territory where they committed the crime.

  4. 4. 

    Use the Rep Payee Applicant or Rep Payee “Note Type” on the Make Note screen to document the payee's or payee applicant’s criminal history information or prison release information if it is relevant to the suitability determination, including the following:

    • •

      criminal history information:

      • –

        name of the court;

      • –

        state and county of the court's location;

      • –

        court case number;

      • –

        conviction, including whether the conviction is a felony or a misdemeanor; and

      • –

        sentence.

    • •

      prison release information:

      • –

        prison confinement date; and

      • –

        prison release date.

If the payee or payee applicant reports difficulty obtaining the court documents or release papers, you can assist them by contacting the prison or correctional institution. For additional guidance on obtaining court documents or prisoner information, see the list of third-party sources to use to locate missing inmate information in GN 02607.680. For information on when and what information can be disclosed to the prison or correctional facility, see GN 03301.005 and GN 03316.065.

If the court or prison is in another state or region, you can assist the payee or payee applicant by sending an SSA-562 (Request for Assistance) to the local servicing field office of the court or prison. For information on requesting help from other field offices, see GN 00301.205.

NOTE: If the payee or payee applicant is currently serving as payee for other beneficiaries, follow current policy instructions on questionable payee choices in GN 00502.132A.2. and the payee preference list in GN 00502.105. A history of criminal behavior by the payee or payee applicant may be an indicator that they are not suitable to serve as a payee.

b. Requesting an opinion regarding the payee's or payee applicant’s criminal history

If, after reviewing the barred crimes state digest in GN 00502.301, you are unsure whether you should bar the individual from serving as a payee and you received court documents from the payee or payee applicant, contact the regional office (RO) and send the court documents to your RO contact.

The RO should take the following actions:

  1. 1. 

    Contact your appropriate Office of General Counsel contacts and send the court documents along with a request for an opinion asking whether the payee's or payee applicant's criminal history would bar them from serving as payee based on the policy in GN 00502.133A.4.

  2. 2. 

    Forward the opinion from the appropriate Office of General Counsel contacts to the local FO.

c. Handling erroneous criminal information received from eRPS

If the payee or payee applicant indicates there is an error when you discover a crime while performing a criminal background check in eRPS, use the following steps in the order below to determine if you need to verify the payee's or payee applicant’s allegation:

  1. 1. 

    Compare the payee's or payee applicant’s identifying information with the identifying information received from eRPS;

  2. 2. 

    Ask the payee or payee applicant if they ever lived in the state where the crime was committed;

  3. 3. 

    If the identifying information is discrepant and the payee or payee applicant denies ever living in or traveling to the state where the crime was committed, use the Rep Payee Applicant or Rep Payee “Note Type” on the Make Note screen to document the information; and

  4. 4. 

    After documenting the Make Note screen, continue processing the payee application or retain payee determination. It is not necessary to request further documentation from the payee or payee applicant.

If the identifying information is correct or the payee or payee applicant lived in the state where the crime was committed, request further documentation from the payee or payee applicant:

  • •

    Copy and paste the relevant criminal information from the Criminal Background Check Results screen in eRPS into a Word document and provide the payee or payee applicant with a printed copy of the criminal information; and

  • •

    Request court documentation from the payee or payee applicant and follow the steps in GN 00502.117B.3.a in this section.

4. Verify source of income

a. Verify employment/self-employment

To verify employment/self-employment:

  • •

    Request a Details Earnings Query (DEQY) or other valid employment documentation to verify the payee applicant's employment allegation.

  • •

    Use the Rep Payee Applicant “Note Type” on the Make Note screen in eRPS with the results of your employment verification.

Employment allegations are collected on the Applicant Income screen (MS 07409.013) in eRPS or question 15 on the SSA-11-BK.

NOTE: Failure to provide correct information about employment is a good indicator that the payee applicant may have provided other incorrect information and may not be a suitable payee.

b. Verify receipt of benefits for applications taken in eRPS

To verify receipt of benefits for applications taken in eRPS:

  • •

    Use screening queries to verify the payee applicant's allegations; or

  • •

    obtain an FACT/SSID query.

EXCEPTION: You do not need to verify source(s) of income for the payee applicants who complete abbreviated SSA-11-BKs, see GN 00502.107B.2.

c. Do not request information from non-SSA Sources

Do not request information from the following non-SSA sources:

  • •

    Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits;

  • •

    Worker’s Compensation (WC) payments).

5. Verify custody

You may use discretion as to the need to verify custody. However, when the payee applicant is a parent who alleges custody of a minor child and they allege the other parent does not live in the same household, you should request a copy of a court order establishing a custody arrangement from the payee applicant. If a court order is not available, you must contact a third party (such as a school official, day care provider, or doctor’s office) to verify custody. Use the Rep Payee/Bene Relationship “Note Type” on the Make Note screen in eRPS (MS 07415.002) to document custody verification.

EXAMPLE: Make Note screen documentation: 11/05/12 Mr. John Doe at Elm Elementary School, Baltimore, MD, verified Mrs. Mary Jones has custody of Ann Jones.

C. References

  • •

    MS 05203.002 Numident Query Sensitive Information (NUMI)

  • •

    MS 05203.005 Detail Earnings Query (DEQY)

  • •

    MS 07410.007 Criminal Background Check Results screen

  • •

    MS 07410.008 Criminal History Verification screen

  • •

    MS 07410.009 Payee Retention Decision – Criminal History screen

  • •

    GN 02607.680 Third Party Sources To Use to Locate Missing Inmate Information

  • •

    GN 03301.005 Basic Disclosure Policy

  • •

    GN 03316.065 Disclosure Without Consent to General Third Party Contacts to Assist in Administering Social Security Administration Programs

  • •

    GN 00502.118 Verifying and Updating EINs for Organizational Payees

  • •

    GN 00502.302 Processing Criminal Background Check Work Issues on Payees

  • •

    GN 00203.020 Identity of Claimants

  • •

    GN 00304.100 Use of Numident Death Data

 


GN 00502 TN 102 - Determining the Need for, Developing and Selecting a Representative Payee - 4/07/2026