DECISION FACTOR: FOs should use their best judgement to decide if the balance in the dedicated account is reasonable when compared to the “Total Dedicated Account Amount,” and the payee's responses to the deposit and use of funds questions (6 and 7) on the SSA-6233-BK. If a balance has been posted to the SSR, as described in GN 00605.230B.2, compare the current balance to that figure.

FO personnel has the authority to ask the payee to provide a detailed explanation of what they purchased, including the amount of each purchase and how the item(s) benefit the beneficiary and relate to their impairment. Payees are required to report this information, if questioned.

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  Conduct a face-to-face interview with the payee whenever practical.

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  Review the payee's financial records and receipts for expenditures.

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  Correct the dedicated account balance as appropriate. If you need to correct the balance, retransmit the balance, as described in GN 00605.230B.2.a.

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  Correct the conserved funds balance (question 3D on the SSA-6233-BK) as appropriate.

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  Follow the procedures for making a misapplication determination, if your review of the dedicated account reveals that the payee knowingly misapplied funds for items or services not permitted. (See GN 00602.140.C.8.)

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  Follow the procedures in SI 01130.601 to count the dedicated account as a resource, if your review of the dedicated account reveals an impermissible deposit.

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  Consider changing the payee or making direct payment if the payee did not use dedicated account funds properly.