When an overpaid individual is in non-pay status, does not have an installment agreement, and cannot be located:

a. Make all reasonable efforts to locate the individual using internal and external resources listed in GN 02210.213.

b. When an overpayment notice is returned as undeliverable, check the following sources for possible leads on the individual’s whereabouts:

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  FO records, MBR, SSR;

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  Telephone directory; and

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  The US Postal Service.

If the overpayment notice is returned marked as “deceased,” develop possible recovery from other liable sources (SI 02201.021B.).

c. When the post office cannot provide another address, check with:

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  Local banks (if direct deposit is indicated);

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  Railroad Retirement Board (SI 00830.160);

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  Veterans Administration (SI 00830.160);

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  Office of Personnel Management (SI 00830.220);

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  Employer (SM 00345.000);

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  Local human services office;

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  LexisNexis Accurint Database; or

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  Other available sources.

d. For additional sources to locate overpaid individuals, see GN 02210.213. GN 02210.213 also provides information for determining the extent of collection efforts to undertake for Title XVI overpayments. NOTE: See SM 01311.452 and MSOM BUSSR 004.006 about deleting the notice date from the SSR.

The success rate of locating overpaid individuals depends on the sources of available information and what leads can be followed. Contact with a public pension program, for example, is only appropriate if the SSR shows the receipt of that type of unearned income.

Undertake concurrent source development when multiple leads are present.

e. Contact the employer when other attempts to locate the individual have been unsuccessful and the SSR shows the receipt of earned income.

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  Request identification of the most recent pre-lag employer. Use the online DEQY facility (MSOM QUERIES 003.005). Make this identification request concurrently with other development.

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  Do not contact the employer until other leads are exhausted.

CAUTION: Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, contact at a place of employment is not permitted if a SSA employee knows or has reason to know that the employer prohibits such contact. In addition, it ensures the debtor's right to privacy. Information regarding the debt should not be disclosed to the employer.

f. See SI 02220.050B for final documentation and input actions.

NOTE: When the overpayment is under RECOOP, the Debt Management Section is responsible for locating the overpaid individual (GN 02210.213C).

Determine whether the person did not receive the notice (e.g., was it returned) or is delinquent in dealing with the overpayment. Then follow the steps in the chart below:

REMEMBER: Technicians should complete all follow-ups promptly, and attempt to resolve the overpayment (whether through full repayment, installment plan, compromise, or waiver) when you make contact with the debtor. Delayed action on follow-ups decreases the probability that we will recover any portion of the debt.

NOTE: For additional instructions on how to handle a Title XVI overpayment in RECOOP, see GN 02210.212A.2.