Replacing Missing Supplemental Security Income Checks:
Recipients Waiting Longer Than Necessary
HRD-78-28: Published: Aug 22, 1978. Publicly Released: Aug 22, 1978.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is intended to provide a minimum income level for aged, blind, or disabled people having little or no means of self-support. About 28,000 recipients each month report that they have not received their SSI checks.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Treasury Department have a system for replacing checks reported missing, but the system has problems and many recipients wait a long time before receiving checks. SSA began an expedited check replacement system in August 1974 which could replace checks within 10 days. However, extensive delays were still caused by problems such as errors in entering information into the computer. Additional changes made by SSA in April 1977 resulted in rapid replacement of some checks but did not correct the problems of delays caused by incorrect processing. The current system is designed to replace missing checks within 4 to 6 days if district offices enter correct information into the central computer. Bills introduced in Congress either authorize SSA to reimburse state and local agencies that make emergency loans to people who do not receive their checks or require SSA to replace checks within a short time period. The emergency loan proposal would require extensive management controls and considerable coordination with the states. Replacing checks in a short time period could be costly or difficult to implement.
Jan 8, 2021
-
Fair Labor Standards Act:
Tracking Additional Complaint Data Could Improve DOL's EnforcementGAO-21-13: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 8, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
-
Amateur Athletes:
The U.S. Center for SafeSport's Response and Resolution Process for Reporting AbuseGAO-21-128R: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 1, 2020
-
Military Child Care:
Off-Base Financial Assistance and Wait Lists for On-Base CareGAO-21-127R: Published: Dec 1, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 1, 2020.
Nov 18, 2020
-
Drug Misuse:
Agencies Have Not Fully Identified How Grants That Can Support Drug Prevention Education Programs Contribute to National GoalsGAO-21-96: Published: Nov 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 18, 2020. -
Federal Social Safety Net Programs:
Millions of Full-Time Workers Rely on Federal Health Care and Food Assistance ProgramsGAO-21-45: Published: Oct 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 18, 2020.
Oct 1, 2020
-
Child Care Facilities:
Federal Agencies Need to Enhance Monitoring and Collaboration to Help Assure Drinking Water is Safe from LeadGAO-20-597: Published: Sep 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 1, 2020.
Aug 21, 2020
-
Federal Employees' Compensation Act:
Comparisons of Benefits in Retirement and Actions Needed to Help Injured Workers Choose Best OptionGAO-20-523: Published: Jul 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 21, 2020.
Aug 13, 2020
-
Social Security Disability:
Information on Wait Times, Bankruptcies, and Deaths among Applicants Who Appealed Benefit DenialsGAO-20-641R: Published: Aug 13, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 13, 2020.
Aug 10, 2020
-
Child Welfare and Aging Programs:
HHS Could Enhance Support for Grandparents and Other Relative CaregiversGAO-20-434: Published: Jul 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 10, 2020.
Jul 29, 2020
-
Economic Adjustment Assistance:
Actions Needed to Better Address Workers' Needs and Assess Program EffectivenessGAO-20-521: Published: Jul 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here