Retention Date: 02/12/2025
A. Purpose
This emergency message (EM) provides instructions for processing a small universe of cases that require manual action by technicians in order to properly release the current month payment (next month or both) from the SSI underpayment. This EM also provides guidance for preventing stuck EA diaries (Dedicated Account required).
B. Background & Changes
As per EM-24009, effective 03/16/2024, the U2 diary (prepayment review required) will be set when the underpayment amount in the UPX field in the MPMT segment of the SSR is $15,000.00 or more. For cases having an underpayment less than $15,000.00, the SSI system will apply normal underpayment processing rules in the following manner:
i) Setting an EA diary and a UPV:B in the MPMT segment of the SSR if Dedicated Accounts are involved,
ii) Setting a UPV:V if Interim Assistance Reimbursement is involved, or
iii) Releasing the first installment payment.
There are situations where the technician must A-OTP the current month payment (next month or both) from the underpayment, before setting an EA diary (SI 02101.020C.11., SI 02101.010A.7.). In some instances, this action removes the case from the dedicated account/installment provisions and an EA diary is no longer required, (SI 02101.010C.7.).
EXAMPLE 1: If we effectuate the SSI claim on August 15th, the current computation month is September, and the first monthly payment would be issued September 1st. We treat all due amounts through August as an underpayment and are subject to the installment provisions if the underpayment is more than three times the FBR. The FO may issue an A-OTP for August (the current calendar month).
EXAMPLE 2: If we effectuate the claim after the current computation month cutoff in August, the current computation month is October, and the first monthly payment is issued October 1st. Treat all payments due through September as an underpayment, subject to installment payment requirements if the underpayment is more than three times the FBR. In this situation, the FO may pay the current calendar month’s payment August, and September’s payment by A-OTP. The FO needs to issue a manual notice when paying the current or subsequent month by an A-OTP. In both examples, the possibility exists that the A-OTP may reduce the underpayment to less than three times the FBR, removing the underpayment from installment payment requirements.
C. Processing Instructions - The current month payment (next month or both) is included in the underpayment, that is subject dedicated account/installment provisions –
If payments for the current calendar month or subsequent month or both are included in the amount subject to installments, issue an A-OTP for the current month or subsequent month or both. When you are adjudicating a claim if the CCE or MSSICS Simulated SSR shows TUPS in computation history for the current calendar month or the subsequent month and shows setting a UPV of B and an EA diary set or shows a UPV or 2 and an installment payment issued, STOP, do not build to the SSR. Follow the steps below. If you take these steps after adjudication on a case where dedicated accounts are involved, it may result in a stuck EA diary.
NOTE: Take this action only after any adjustment for Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR) calculation (SI 02003.001), or adjustment for direct attorney/non-attorney fee payment and collectible overpayment from a different period, if applicable (SI 01311.667A).
1. No IAR, No attorney/non-attorney fee–
a. In MSSICS 2/14, close the event and select “Y” next to Direct SSR update on the Build SSR (DSSR) screen, and on DADJ, if appropriate, select Initial Claim Decision = 1 (Allowance).
b. From the Direct SSR Update Menu (UMEN) screen (MS 00302.003), select Underpayment Processing.
c. Select Hold Underpayment from the Underpayment Processing (UOUP) screen (MS 00304.018) and send to SSR.
d. The UPV field of the MPMT segment will contain an “U” (UPV:U) and a U4 diary (SM 01311.675) will generate to the record.
e. Go to MSSICS 2/19 and select “Y” next to Payment Menu from the UMEN screen.
f. Select "Special Payments” from the UPMN screen.
g. Select “All Other Payment Reasons” from the UPOT screen.
h. Issue an A-OTP for the current month payment (next month or both) and send to the SSR.
i. Generate a manual notice in DPS to inform the claimant of the reason for payment.
NOTE: In some instances, this action removes the case from the dedicated account provisions, SI 02101.010C.7.
j. Verify UPX no longer reflects TUPS in computation history for the current computation month and the subsequent month.
k. Go to MSSICS 2/19 and on UMEN select Underpayment Processing.
l. Select the appropriate option on UOUP to remove the hold on the underpayment. Reminder: if case is in continuing non-payment, select Option 5 to release the entire underpayment as an exception to installments.
m. Resolve EA diary (if applicable), and issue installments.
NOTE: The U4 is deleted when the underpayment verification code “U” (UPV:U) is removed from the SSR.
2. No IAR, Attorney/non-attorney fee involved - You can issue the fee payment before Dedicated Account (EA) processing begins, or between any of the installments to the Dedicated Account, or after issuing all payments to the Dedicated Account. For information about processing fee payments, see SM 01311.664.
a. In MSSICS 2/14, close the event and select “Y” next to Direct SSR update on the Build SSR (DSSR) screen, and on DADJ enter 1=Allowance if appropriate.
b. From the Direct SSR Update Menu (UMEN) screen (MS 00302.003), select Underpayment Processing.
c. Select Hold Underpayment from the Underpayment Processing (UOUP) screen (MS 00304.018) and send to SSR.
d. The UPV field of the MPMT segment will contain an “U” (UPV:U) and a U4 diary (SM 01311.675) will generate to the record.
e. Go to MSSICS 2/19 and select “Y” next to Payment Menu from the UMEN screen.
f. Select "Special Payments” from the UPMN screen.
g. Select “All Other Payment Reasons” from the UPOT screen.
h. Issue an A-OTP for the current month payment (next month or both) and send to the SSR.
i. Generate a manual notice in DPS to inform the claimant of the reason for payment.
NOTE: In some instances, this action removes the case from the dedicated account provisions, SI 02101.010C.7.
j. Verify UPX no longer reflects TUPS in computation history for the current computation month and the subsequent month.
k. Go to MSSICS 2/19 and on UMEN select Underpayment Processing.
l. Select the appropriate option on UOUP to remove the hold on the underpayment. Reminder: if case is in continuing non-payment, select Option 5 to release the entire underpayment as an exception to installments.
m. Resolve the attorney/non-attorney fee.
n. Resolve EA diary (if applicable), and issue installments.
NOTE: The U4 is deleted when the underpayment verification code “U” (UPV:U) is removed from the SSR.
3. IAR involved – If IAR is involved, the SSI system cannot hold the underpayment
Dedicated Account Processing until after processing and issuing the IAR payment.
For Processing IAR from an SSI underpayment, see SM 01311.662. For an
overview of SSI underpayment processing, see SM 01311.660.
a. After verifying the UPX and IAR is involved, the record will generate a UPV:V. After the IAR is resolved, the system will automate installments or establish an EA diary for a dedicated account, if applicable. You must wait until the State has submitted a request for reimbursement and until the UPV:V is removed from the SSR.
b. In cases where UPV:V is set, review the SSR CMPH field to determine if any TUPS are for the current month or a subsequent month.
c. Set a tickle for 25 business days on the Development worksheet. Tickle issue should show issue AOTP for MM/YYYY and MM/YYYY so you will know which months were the current months and subsequent months.
d. Once IAR is resolved by payment to the state agency and the GRC code is now P or F, or if the UPV is now set to E, review the SSR to determine if payments for the current calendar month or subsequent month are still shown as TUPS in CMPH, and are included in the amount subject to installments.
e. Issue an A-OTP for the current month or subsequent month or both to the regular monthly deposit account.
f. Follow SM 01311.667C to resolve the EA diary and issue installments to the dedicated account.
g. If after issuing the A-OTP, a dedicated account is no longer required but the EA diary is present, place a remark on the SSR, “Stuck EA Diary/Issue Installments to Dedicated Account”, tickle for follow-up and issuance of A-OTPs for future installments following normal underpayment release procedures in SI 02101.020.
IMPORTANT: As stated in SI 02101.020 , installment payments are not required for a recipient who is no longer eligible for SSI and is determined likely to remain ineligible for the next 12 months.
Direct all program-related and technical questions to your Regional Office (RO) support staff using vHelp or Program Service Center (PSC) Operations Analysis (OA) staff. RO support staff or PSC OA staff may refer questions, concerns, or problems to their Central Office contacts.
References:
SI 02101.025 - Basic Requirements of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Underpayment (UP) Review (ssa.gov)
SI 02101.020 - Large Past-Due Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments by Installments; Individual Alive (ssa.gov)
SI 02101.010 - Past-Due Benefits Payable - Individual Alive Under Age 18 with Representative Payee - Dedicated Account Required (ssa.gov)
SM 01311.675 How to Resolve a U4 Diary
SM 01311.667 Processing Dedicated Account Payments from an SSI Underpayment
SM 01311.662 Processing Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR) from an SSI Underpayment
SM 01311.660 Overview of SSI Underpayment Processing
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