Social Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently did a study of "double check negotiation" (DCN), cases in which a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient tells Social Security that their monthly benefits check did not arrive causing Social Security to issue a replacement check and the person cashes both checks. Social Security has been trying hard to reduce the number of these cases. According to OIG:
Recent actions taken by SSA [Social Security Administration] have been effective in preventing SSI DCNs. The total number of DCNs has declined steadily since 2002. System controls implemented in June 2007 have been effective in preventing instances where individuals commit multiple DCNs. In addition, based on our sample results, SSA has been effective in recovering overpayments from recipients who commit DCNs.
In light of the current conflict in DC, is SSA prepared for the onslaught of non-receipts of paper checks should the government shut down(assuming the USPS and SSA are included) and the resultant increase in phone and in-office traffic when it's over?
ReplyDeleteWithin the next 3 years, DCNs will drop down to next to nothing with the conversion to mandatory direct deposit.
ReplyDeleteThat is, if Treasury is strict in enforcement of their exceptions policy. If they just grant them willy nilly, it will then simply be business as usual.
We'll see....