When you cash a check at the grocery store, what do they do with that check?

Question

My grandad is on Social Security, and he is able to apply for fuel assistance, but needs to produce certain documents, one includes a copy of his social security check. Last night he cashed it, and forgot to make a copy of it beforehand.

His apartment is freezing, and he's worried that he will have to wait another month all because he forgot to make a copy. Is there anything we can do?

P.S. I had no idea what category to put this in, sorry.

Answer 1

They deposit it in the bank. If it's a small store there's a slight chance that it's still there, but if it's a medium sized or large store it's almost certainly deposited already.

Answer 2

All the things I'm going to tell you are based upon how well you can manipulate people because you're probably going to need to tell your story a few times over till you get results.

Go to the grocery store and ask to talk to the manager. Ask if they make their deposits daily. If they don't then the check might still be with the grocery store. Tell him your story and ask if he would tell you where they bank. Contact the bank and tell them your story.

If they are a small financial institution that doesn't use imaging or electronic vendor presentment, then they should be able to find the check and make a copy for you. Even if they do use imaging, they should be able to search for the image and make a copy. However some banks will make it sound as if it's too much trouble to do the research for you, especially if you or your grandparent are not a customer. Stress the importance of what you want and the humanitarian purpose of your mission. Don't holler or yell....just be persuasive.

If you can't get the grocery store or the bank to help you, the Social Security Administration should be able to provide you with a statement that shows what your grandparent received. However it will take time. Social Security is a large establishment which has to go through mondo red tape to get you what you want.

At any rate, still contact the fuel assistance program and tell them what's happening. We're all human and your grandparent will not be the first to not follow the procedure.

Answer 3

The check will go to the grocery's bank, from which it will go to a clearing bank and eventually back to the Treasury. Getting a copy of the check at this point is problematic. In lieu of the check, present a copy of the award letter from Social Security which says how much they are going to pay; that should work.

Answer 4

They keep it until they make a bank deposit. If it happened last night the store might still have it. You could go and inquire and tell them the reason. You might get lucky and they may be accomodating. Good luck!