October 10 – Requesting Immediate Payments
Question: When would it be appropriate to suggest a Title II disability beneficiary or a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiary request an immediate payment?
Answer: It depends on the situation. Social Security established immediate payments (IP) in 1985 to make expedited payments to beneficiaries in dire need of funds faster than the five-to seven-day period required for delivering Treasury-prepared payments. Immediate payments apply to both SSI and Title II beneficiaries as well as concurrent cases. In order for Social Security to even consider making an immediate payment, the case must meet the following criteria:
- SSI Cases: There is a delayed payment of an initial claim, delayed or interrupted payments, or non-receipt of an issued payment.
- Title II Cases: A payment is due because of a stop-payment action, nonpayment, or a newly processed claim.
To receive an IP, the beneficiary must have an immediate financial need for payment (i.e., a need for food, shelter, medical treatment, etc.) that the person can’t reasonably meet through other resources available in the community. If you work with a beneficiary who may meet the criteria above, refer the person to Social Security to determine if an Immediate Payment is possible.
Would you like to find out more about WIPA and your benefits? Contact your statewide WIPA Program-Project 20/20 if you have questions like our Daily Tips or want to learn more about working while receiving social security disability benefits. Call our North Augusta office at 803-279-9611 or the Ticket to Work Helpline at 1-866-968-7842. You can also complete a Contact Us or Self-referral Form.