The preparation process for the FEQs follows a specific protocol. We mail about 260,000
FEQs each year. There are two types of FEQ: the SSA-7161 is for representative payees
who are handling benefits on behalf of a beneficiary, and the SSA-7162 is for beneficiaries
who do not have a representative payee. The Regular Transcript Attainment and Selection
Pass (RETAP) software captures identifying information about the beneficiary from
the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR). The information preprinted on the forms and imbedded
in the scan lines contain:
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Representative Payee’s name (if SSA-7161)
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Social Security Number and PIC
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Address (including Consular and Geographic code)
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BIC (Beneficiary Identification Code)
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Custody code and type of payee
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Number of beneficiaries on the record
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SSNX (5 digit number code that denotes the Payment Center jurisdiction, type of file,
and type of claim).
The selection criterion includes BICs in LAF C, D, E, S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5.