How to Cash an SSI Check
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a federal government program that provides monthly assistance to qualified people. It is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI recipients include blind and disabled children, as well as adults who are 65 or older, blind or disabled. Recipients use SSI funds for their basic expenses, such as food and housing. People receiving SSI benefits are issued checks, and they cash these checks or deposit them into their bank accounts. Cashing an SSI check is straightforward and relatively easy. However, the process differs when cashing the check for someone else, such as a child.
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Things You'll Need
- Proof of identification, such as driver's license
- Proof of identification of person to whom check is written
- Bank or credit union checking or savings account
Instructions
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Have an open and active bank or credit union account into which to deposit the SSI check. This is an account in your name, if you are the SSI recipient, or a bank account that is in the name of the person for whom you will be cashing a check.
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Pick up the monthly SSI check that is issued to you or to the person for whom you will cash the check, or receive it in the mail.
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Verify that the check amount and payee are correct on the check. If they are not, contact the appropriate SSI office, which is probably your local SSI or SSA office.
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Complete a deposit slip for the check, writing in such information as the date, name of person to whom the check is written and amount of the check. Follow guidelines of your bank, or of the bank of the person for whom you are cashing the check.
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Contact the bank where you will cash the check if you are cashing it for someone else. Ask the bank what its procedure is for cashing an SSI check for someone else. Follow this procedure. Ask the bank for its acceptable forms of identification, such as a driver's license. If the payee is a child who does not have a driver's license, forms of identification that the bank might accept include the child's birth certificate.
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Go to the bank where you will cash the SSI check. This must be a branch location, because you cannot cash a check at a location like an ATM. Bring the SSI check, deposit slip and identification. If you are cashing the check for someone else, and the check is issued to that person, also bring that person's identification, if the bank requires that.
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Follow the bank's procedure on cashing checks. For example, you will likely need to hand to the bank teller the endorsed check, deposit slip and identification. If you are cashing the check for someone other than yourself, you might need to provide not only your identification but also the identification of the check payee. Do not endorse a check until you are at the bank and about to hand the check to the teller. If you are cashing the check for a child, the bank teller will tell you how to endorse the check.
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Receive the cash from the teller.
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Tips & Warnings
Cash an SSI check as soon as possible after receiving it. Most checks have a time limit during which you must cash them. For example, you might be required to cash an SSI check within 12 months from the time it is issued. If you are cashing SSI checks for someone else, such as a child, you might be able to add yourself as the payee on the checks. Ask the SSI office about this. Signing up for direct deposit of SSI checks may be available to you, so inquire about this. Direct deposit is convenient, because it saves you time and trips to the bank.
Do not endorse the SSI check until you get to the bank, because if your check is lost or stolen, it could be cashed by someone else if it is already endorsed. Carefully follow all SSI rules and laws. Doing otherwise could bring stiff penalties.
References
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