If the period of nonpayment of benefits is 3 months or more, do not make payments,
until you receive the documentation listed in GN 00504.160C. For SSI cases, if the record has been in nonpayment status for more than one calendar
month, conduct an unscheduled redetermination.
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a.
Nonpayment for 3 to 5 months - When the representative payee is not a parent or spouse with custody or the legal
guardian, you cannot make payments until the beneficiary's whereabouts are known and
you have contacted the custodian and beneficiary to verify the payee's continued suitability.
In evaluating the payee's suitability, consider whether the payee failed to report
the event that resulted in nonpayment.
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b.
Nonpayment for 6 or more months - Contact the current payee in all cases to verify custody or that the legal guardian
continues in that capacity. Verify the payee's continued suitability. In evaluating
the payee's suitability, consider whether the payee failed to report the event that
resulted in nonpayment. In addition, send an advance notice if the nonpayment period
is 6 months or longer. For information on when to provide an advance notice for nonpayment
of benefits for 6 or more months, see GN 00503.100A.1.c.
CAUTION: Consider a review of the beneficiary's continued need for a payee and whether direct
payment as an interim measure is appropriate. In addition, you must verify the beneficiary's
continued entitlement. For more information on determining capability for adult beneficiaries
see GN 00502.020A.