TN 14 (01-24)

SI 00530.600 How Do I Respond to Questions From Someone in N25 Status?

NOTE: Refer to the chart for the action required.

Court Case

Action

Martinez Settlement

On April 1, 2009, SSA changed its policy of not paying fleeing felons. Follow the instructions below only for felony warrants with offense codes 4901, 4902, or 4999. Follow the Martinez settlement instructions in GN 02613.860 through GN 02613.885 for all other felony warrant codes.

Clark Court Order

On May 9, 2011, SSA changed its policy and no longer suspends or denies benefits or payments based solely on a probation or parole violation warrant (i.e., warrants with offense codes 5011, 5012, 8101, 8102, or 9999 or “Blank” and an offense charge symbol of “probation or parole violation”). Follow the Clark Court Order instructions in GN 02615.100GN 02615.190 for all probation or parole violation warrants.

We will make additional changes to this section, as necessary, in the future.

A. When to use

Use these instructions when you get a telephone or written inquiry from an individual, authorized representative, or the representative payee of an individual, who is in payment status code N25 on the SSR.

B. Procedure – general

Obtain an SSID, MSSICS screens, and/or retrieve Document Processing System (DPS) notices to get a full picture of the basis for N25 suspension. Make every attempt to answer the individual’s questions using the information on the SSR and thereby discourage the caller from coming into the office. Determine if good cause can be found as described in SI 00530.015.

If the individual insists on coming into the office, set up a future appointment and immediately notify the FO manager of the date and time of the appointment.

C. Procedure – suspension based on first party report

Use the information shown in our records to explain to the individual that their payments are being withheld because of the information that they gave to us about an outstanding warrant or court order. Repeat to the recipient the specific information from the SSR and advise them on how to rectify the situation and resume eligibility.

See SI 00530.015 for evidence needed to reinstate SSI benefits to an individual who has been found to be a fugitive felon or a parole or probation violator and is claiming good cause exists.

D. Procedure – suspension based on third party report

When payments were suspended because of information received through a computer matching operation or another third party, explain:

  • Our records show that there is an outstanding felony warrant or that there is a court order that indicates that the individual is a fugitive (i.e., is wanted on a felony charge or conviction) or a parole or probation violator;

  • We are prohibited by law from paying SSI benefits in such circumstances; and

  • We cannot reinstate benefits until we have evidence from the warrant issuing agency or court showing that the warrant is satisfied or otherwise rendered ineffective, or that the person identified by the warrant or court order is not the SSI recipient, or the good cause criteria has been established (SI 00530.015).

  • Explain that the individual must show good cause or contact the agency noted in the remarks portion of the SSR or MSSICS to clear the warrant or court order before payments may be resumed. Tell the individual to supply the law enforcement agency with the warrant number from our records when making their contact.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500530600
SI 00530.600 - How Do I Respond to Questions From Someone in N25 Status? - 01/26/2024
Batch run: 01/26/2024
Rev:01/26/2024