Effective Dates: 01/27/2025 - Present Previous | Next

TN 127 (01-25)

GN 02406.410 Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service), Check Claims Branch (CCB) Claims Package Processing

A. Background

The Department of the Treasury (Treasury) generates a claims package when SSA inputs a permanent stop on a missing check (e.g.., A-stop, B-stop, C-stop, F-stop, and G-stop). A claims package consists of the FMS-3858 (Claims Document), FS-1133 (Claim Against the United States for the Proceeds of a Government Check), and an image of the check. The claims package is available on the Treasury Check Information System (TCIS).

NOTE :This section pertains to nonreceipts made within a 12-month time period from the issue date. For instructions on allegations of nonreceipt not timely filed, see GN 02401.903.

B. Treasury actions on permanent stop inputs

This section describes Treasury’s actions when you input a permanent stop for a missing check prior to negotiation.

IF

THEN

A-stop input for a nonrecurring SSI (check type 2, 4 or 9--Title XVI only)…

Treasury determines if someone cashed the missing check and reports to SSA the status of the check using a disposition code. Treasury will not issue a replacement check. If appropriate, SSA will replace the missing check via automated one-time payment (AOTP).

 

A-stop input for a Mass Loss (Title II or Title XVI)…

Treasury treats this as a B-Stop and issues a replacement check before knowing the status of the original check.

B-stop…

Treasury issues a courtesy disbursement check before knowing the status of the original check.

C-stop…

Treasury will first determine the status of the original check. If the original check is still outstanding, Treasury will “cancel the issue” and advise the Regional Finance Center (RFC) to issue a replacement check . Treasury will take no further action unless someone later negotiates the original check.

F-stop

Treasury determines the status of the original check. If the original check is still outstanding, Treasury cancels the outstanding check and returns a credit to SSA.

NOTE: For more information on F-stop see GN 02408.020.

G-stop

Treasury determines the status of the original check. If the original check is still outstanding, Treasury will return the credit to SSA and reissue the check.

 

NOTE: If a claimant reports a missing check and is confused about whether the check was endorsed or not, use a C-stop. This will obtain the status, and if appropriate, Treasury will replace the check.

C. Treasury action when missing check negotiated after a permanent stop input

When you input a permanent stop code of A, C, F, or G for a missing check, and then someone cashes the check in question, Treasury takes the following action regarding the claims package.

IF

THEN

A-stop

Treasury sends a status code and a claims package to SSA via TCIS.

C-stop

Treasury forwards the action to the Check Claims Branch (CCB).

CCB requests the check image and prepares a claims package (FMS-3858, FS-1133, check image).

CCB sends the claims package directly to the claimant for review and completion if the claimant does not recognize the signature as their own.

F-stop (Title II)

Treasury sends a claims package to the Processing Center (PC) via TCIS and notifies SSA.

NOTE: Under Title XVI, a F-stop automatically occurs on the replacement check when the initial nonreceipt input is a B-stop.

G-stop (check lost, stolen, and negotiated after the claimant or representative payee endorsed the check.)

Treasury sends a claims package to the Processing Center (PC) or Field Office (FO) of jurisdiction via Treasury Check Information System (TCIS).

D. Treasury action for original check negotiated after courtesy disbursement or replacement issued

If someone cashes the original check and the courtesy disbursement (or replacement) checks, Treasury sends out claims packages for both checks. For more information on where Treasury sends the claims package, see GN 02406.410 C in this section.

NOTE: For information on Payment Over Cancellations (Treasury credit reversals) see GN 02406.245.

E. Treasury actions when the claimant denies endorsing a check

If a claimant does not recognize their signature after reviewing a check image, the claimant may complete the FS-1133. The claimant must return the completed FS-1133 to the FO or PC for A-stop, F-stop, B-stop, and G-stop situations. The FO or PC photocopies the FS-1133 and forwards the original to Treasury. In C-stop situations, the claimant must return the completed FS-1133 directly to Treasury. When Treasury receives the completed FS-1133, Treasury reviews the completed FS-1133 and check image. Treasury takes the following actions:

IF

THEN

Treasury determines forgery is involved

Treasury sends a Claims Disposition Notice (CDN) to SSA, reclaims the money from the presenting bank, and sends a replacement check (or settlement check) to the claimant as appropriate.

NOTE: A settlement check has a different check number and symbol from the original check. You can find information regarding the settlement check on TCIS.

Treasury determines that forgery is not involved

Treasury sends a CDN to SSA.

F. Treasury action when claimant denies receiving a claims package

The claims package can contain either the same address found on the check in question or the address used on SSA's nonreceipt input. If claimant denies receiving the claims package, follow instructions in GN 02406.220 concerning failure to receive form FS-1133 claims package.

G. CCB actions for undeliverable FS-1133

If CCB sends out a claims package to the payee for a Title II check and it is returned to CCB as undeliverable (for address purposes), CCB will send the claims package to the PSC for Title II. The PSC will determine the correct address and forward the package to the payee.

For a Title XVI check, CCB returns undeliverable FS-1133's to the FO of jurisdiction. The FO will correct the address on the FMS-3858.

H. References

GN 02406.001 Glossary of Nonreceipt Terms

GN 02406.150 When to Request Payment after Status C-Stop - Normal and Dire Need Situations

GN 02406.245 Payment over Cancellation (POC)/Credit Reversal

GN 02406.125 Transmitting Reports of Nonreceipt, Loss, Theft, or Destruction--Title II and Title XVI-- Recurring Checks and PMA Checks--Normal and Dire Need Situations.

GN 02406.425 Treasury Case Action Codes of Claims Disposition Notices (CDN)

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0202406410
GN 02406.410 - Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service), Check Claims Branch (CCB) Claims Package Processing - 01/27/2025
Batch run: 02/19/2025
Rev:01/27/2025