Yes, the Social Security Office does check for warrants.
The Social Security Office(SSA) has agreements with many other government agencies, including the FBI, to cross-check the information of everyone who applies for or receives Social Security benefits.
If the SSA discovers that you have an outstanding warrant, they will suspend your benefits until the warrant is resolved. You may also be required to pay back any benefits you received while you were ineligible.
It is important to note that the SSA will not notify law enforcement that you have an outstanding warrant. However, if you are arrested, law enforcement may notify the SSA, and your benefits may be suspended again.
If you have an outstanding warrant, you should contact an attorney to discuss your options.
Table of Contents
How does the social security office verify warrant information?
Verification of Warrant Information by SSA:
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) verifies warrant information through the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
- The OIG receives warrant information from the Federal Fugitive Task Force, a part of the Department of Justice, and verifies the information before sending it to the SSA.
Warrant Information and Eligibility for SSI/SSDI Benefits:
- The SSA considers warrant information as one of several factors in deciding whether a person is eligible to receive SSI/SSDI benefits.
- An individual may be considered a fleeing felon and ineligible for benefits if they have an outstanding arrest warrant specifically for fleeing prosecution or confinement on a felony charge.
Disclosure of Information to Law Enforcement:
- The SSA will only disclose information to law enforcement if the request is valid, in writing on the agency’s letterhead, specifies the records being requested, and is signed by an official of the requesting office.
- SSA officials rely on their knowledge of local law enforcement agencies to determine whether a request is from the proper person.
- When law enforcement provides the SSA with the name and Social Security Number (SSN) of an indicted or convicted criminal, the SSA can conduct a search on the SSN to determine if it is valid and if it matches the name provided by law enforcement.
- If the name and the SSN do not match, the SSA will typically not identify to whom the SSN actually belongs, although they will inform law enforcement that there was no match.
Can I still receive Social Security benefits if I have an outstanding warrant?
Social Security Benefit Eligibility:
- Individuals with arrest warrants for offenses other than specific felony charges or probation/parole violations remain eligible for Social Security benefits.
Felony-Related Warrants:
- If an individual has an outstanding arrest warrant for avoiding prosecution or incarceration on a felony charge or a probation/parole violation, they are no longer eligible for benefits, starting from the first month with the warrant.
SSA Notification:
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine the date of ineligibility (the warrant date) and inform the individual that their benefits will cease as of that month.
Benefit Repayment:
- Individuals may be asked to repay any benefits they received after becoming ineligible.
Law Enforcement Involvement:
- The SSA won’t notify law enforcement about an individual’s warrant, but arrests may lead to benefit suspension.
Changes Effective March 18, 2011:
- The SSA no longer suspends or denies payments solely based on outstanding warrants for probation or parole violations.
Felony-Related Disability Eligibility:
- Not all felony convictions and warrants disqualify individuals from receiving Social Security Disability and SSI benefits.
- An individual won’t be eligible if their disability is related to their commission of a felony.
- Violating probation or parole can lead to benefits being withheld during that time.
Addressing Outstanding Warrants:
- If an individual has an outstanding warrant, it’s advisable to address it before applying for Social Security benefits.
What happens if I have an outstanding warrant and I apply for Social Security benefits?
Disclosure of Outstanding Warrants:
- When an individual with an outstanding warrant applies for Social Security benefits, the agency handling the application will inquire about any outstanding warrants or probation violations.
- It is crucial for individuals to provide truthful answers under oath. Falsifying information may lead to fraud charges, potential jail time, and the requirement to repay any received benefits.
Eligibility Impact of Outstanding Warrants:
- If an individual has an outstanding arrest warrant for avoiding prosecution or incarceration on a felony charge or a probation/parole violation, they become ineligible for benefits starting from the first month with the warrant.
SSA Notification and Benefit Cessation:
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine the date of ineligibility (the warrant date) and inform the individual that their benefits will cease as of that month.
- The SSA may request individuals to repay any benefits received after they became ineligible.
Law Enforcement Involvement:
- If an individual applying for benefits has outstanding warrants or probation violations, the agency handling the application may share this information with law enforcement, potentially aiding in their arrest.
Resolving Outstanding Warrants:
- It’s advisable for individuals to address any outstanding warrants before applying for Social Security benefits.
- The application process provides time to address the warrant before Social Security benefits approval.
How can I check if I have an outstanding warrant that could affect my benefits?
Here’s the information presented in a point-wise format:
Steps to Check for Outstanding Warrants Affecting Social Security Benefits:
- If an individual wants to check if they have an outstanding warrant that could affect their Social Security benefits, they can take the following steps:
Contact the Local Law Enforcement Agency:
- An individual can contact the local law enforcement agency to inquire if they have any outstanding warrants. They can provide their name and other identifying information to check if there are any warrants out for their arrest.
Check Court Records:
- An individual can check court records to see if there are any outstanding warrants against them. They can visit the court’s website or go to the courthouse in person to check the records.
Contact an Attorney:
- An individual can contact an attorney to help them check if they have any outstanding warrants. An attorney can also assist in resolving the warrant if there is one.
- When applying for public benefits, including Social Security, individuals must disclose any outstanding warrants or probation violations.
- If an individual knows they have an outstanding warrant, they should tell the truth. Falsifying information under oath may result in fraud charges, potentially leading to jail time and the obligation to repay any received benefits.
- If an individual has an outstanding warrant, it is advisable to try to address it before applying for Social Security benefits.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Social Security Office does indeed check for warrants as part of its eligibility determination process. If an individual has an outstanding arrest warrant for specific felony charges or probation/parole violations, their benefits may be suspended, and they may be required to repay any benefits received during their period of ineligibility. While the SSA won’t notify law enforcement about outstanding warrants, it may share this information during the application process, potentially aiding in an individual’s arrest. To ensure a smooth process and eligibility, it is advisable for individuals to address any outstanding warrants before applying for Social Security benefits.