Do not obtain a check photocopy for any timely nonreceipt or stop payment situation
if the check issue date was 13 months or less in the past. The only EXCEPTION to this
rule occurs when the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or another agency requests
certified copies for checks (e.g., L-stop for certified copies).
Only allegations of nonreceipt within 12 months of the check issue date are “timely”
by law. Input a permanent stop code through the 13th month when the claimant made timely allegations.
The Returned Check Action (REACT) program will produce a code “252 exception” for a stop payment or nonreceipt action performed on a check issued 13 months or
more prior to the input date. When you receive exception output or Treasury responds
with an FMS-3859 (Claims Disposition Notice) (or its equivalent), immediately obtain
a check photocopy from TCIS.
NOTE: For more information on OIG certified photocopy requests, see GN 02406.145