The SDX screen reports data-exchange information sent to our system from the Social Security Administration regarding persons receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and the amount of benefits they are receiving. Certain factors can cause the interpretation of these screens to be tricky (like recoupments – over or underpayments or both.) It is important to use this screen in conjunction with the SDL screen (showing a historical listing of payments and statuses) to ensure that you are counting the correct amount on your case.

Example

In the SDX screen shown here, the first thing that you will notice is that the gross amount for the next month is not the same as the net amount for the current month. This is an indicator that there may be a recoupment. Notice the overpayment indicator in line ‘015’. The ‘O’ indicates that there is an overpayment. Other possible codes are ‘U’ for underpayment and ‘B’ for both overpayment and underpayment.

There are two factors showing on this screen causing the SDX payment to be lowered from the maximum standard ($794 at this time) for this individual. The first is the unearned income being counted (see line 8) and the other is an overpayment (line 15).

In order to correctly anticipate the amount that will be received in April, it helps to refer to the SDL screen. You can access this screen by simply typing ‘SDL’ at the bottom of the SDX screen.

Notice that the NET amount reported on the current SDX screen above ($449.94) is the same amount that was received in the previous month (payment date 2/21). Now tab down to the previous month and pull up that SDX screen to compare with the current one. (Tab down to the line below the most current listing and type ‘SDX’, then press enter.)

The previous screen is shown here. Notice that it also shows the differing amounts for GROSS and NET. From this you can see that, although the GROSS amount reported in the previous SDX for February was $529.34, the NET received was $449.94. This is a good indicator that the client will not actually receive the GROSS amount for April as indicated by the first SDX.

Note: SSI recoupments will usually, but not always, be 10% of the maximum gross SSI amount. In this case, $794 (current max standard) x.10 (10%) = $79.40 ~ the exact difference between $529.34 and $449.94. And, if you add the counted unearned income from line 8 ($264.66) + the net SSI ($449.94), plus the overpayment amount ($79.4), the total is the current max of $794.

It is important to make a good faith effort to determine whether or not the overpayment is fraud related before deciding how to code your case. Since SSI is a means-tested assistance payment, policy states that the recoupment should not be deducted if the overpayment is due to fraud. Please contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to inquire about this and document this information in case notes; or, document what efforts were made to determine if the recoupment was fraud-related if you are unable to obtain verification from the SSA. If SSA confirms that the recoupment is not fraud-related (or if you are unable to verify with SSA), the recoupment should be deducted from the gross amount by following the steps for coding below.

To code the case, enter the Gross amount of the SSI in block F88 and the Recoupment Amount and Recoupment Indicator in blocks F108 and F109 (all found on the income tab in FACS). It is important to code it this way, instead of just coding the NET amount, to prevent data exchange edits (G1DX). The system will deduct the recoupment.