B-165692, FEB. 3, 1969
Highlights
IF THE DESIGNEE IS A MINOR. SHOULD ANY VERIFICATION OF AGE BE MADE TO DETERMINE IF THE BENEFICIARY IS A MINOR IF NOT SHOWN ON THE STANDARD FORM 1153? "3. WHAT IS THE ORDER OF PRECEDENCE FOR SETTLEMENT? QUESTION 1 PRESUMES THE DESIGNEE IS A MINOR. WHICH PROCEDURES FORMERLY WERE IN CHAPTER 2500. ARE TO BE FOLLOWED. THUS THE FIRST PART OF QUESTION 1 IS ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND THE SECOND PART THEREOF IS ANSWERED IN THE NEGATIVE. AS TO QUESTION 2 SINCE STANDARD FORM 1153 ASKS THE DESIGNEE TO STATE HIS AGE IF HE IS A MINOR NO FURTHER VERIFICATION OF AGE IS REQUIRED IF THAT QUESTION IS LEFT BLANK. UNLESS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE THAT SUGGESTS THE DESIGNEE MAY BE A MINOR.
B-165692, FEB. 3, 1969
TO MR. STANLEY J. TREASURE:
YOUR LETTER OF NOVEMBER 20, 1968, REFERENCE D:MI:DC:F, ASKS CERTAIN QUESTIONS, AS SET OUT HEREINAFTER, CONCERNING CHILDREN DESIGNATED AS BENEFICIARIES ON STANDARD FORM 1152 IN THE SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES.
THE QUESTIONS READ AS FOLLOWS:
"1. IF THE DESIGNEE IS A MINOR, DO WE PROCEED TO TAKE THE STEPS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 2500, SECTION 2560.20, CLAIMS INVOLVING MINORSOR INCOMPETENTS, OR, DOES THE STANDARD FORM 1152 PRECLUDE THE NECESSITY OF DOING SO AND PERMIT SETTLEMENT TO BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH A DULY EXECUTED STANDARD FORM 1153 BY THE MINOR DESIGNEE?
"2. IF A STANDARD FORM 1152 HAS BEEN EXECUTED, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY WITNESSED AND FILED IN THE PRESCRIBED MANNER, SHOULD ANY VERIFICATION OF AGE BE MADE TO DETERMINE IF THE BENEFICIARY IS A MINOR IF NOT SHOWN ON THE STANDARD FORM 1153?
"3. IF A GUARDIAN APPOINTED BY THE COURT AND THE MINOR DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY BOTH FILE CLAIMS FOR THE UNPAID COMPENSATION DUE THE DECEASED EMPLOYEE, WHAT IS THE ORDER OF PRECEDENCE FOR SETTLEMENT?
QUESTION 1 PRESUMES THE DESIGNEE IS A MINOR. THE EXECUTED STANDARD FORM 1153 -- CLAIM OF DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY -- WOULD SHOW THAT FACT. ACCORDINGLY THE PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN SECTION 21.2, CLAIMS INVOLVING MINORS OR INCOMPETENTS, TITLE 4 -- CLAIMS -- GENERAL, GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE MANUAL FOR GUIDANCE OF FEDERAL AGENCIES, WHICH PROCEDURES FORMERLY WERE IN CHAPTER 2500, SECTION 2560.20, AS IDENTIFIED BY YOU, ARE TO BE FOLLOWED. THUS THE FIRST PART OF QUESTION 1 IS ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND THE SECOND PART THEREOF IS ANSWERED IN THE NEGATIVE.
AS TO QUESTION 2 SINCE STANDARD FORM 1153 ASKS THE DESIGNEE TO STATE HIS AGE IF HE IS A MINOR NO FURTHER VERIFICATION OF AGE IS REQUIRED IF THAT QUESTION IS LEFT BLANK, UNLESS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE THAT SUGGESTS THE DESIGNEE MAY BE A MINOR.
CONCERNING QUESTION 3 PAYMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE MADE TO THE DULY APPOINTED GUARDIAN.
ANY QUESTIONS OF DOUBT AS TO THE AMOUNT OR VALIDITY OF THE CLAIM OR THE PERSON OR PERSONS PROPERLY ENTITLED TO PAYMENT SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE CLAIMS DIVISION, GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE, 441 G STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20548. SEE SECTION 20.2 OF THE FOREGOING MANUAL.