Do Not Pay 

Initial Questions Document Guide

December 2023
Do Not Pay Initial Questions Document 

Last Updated: December 2023

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Table of Contents

Overview..........................................................................................................................................3

Enter the Community Emails...........................................................................................................3

How to Log in to the DNP Community...........................................................................................4

Initial Questions...............................................................................................................................7

Step 1 of 3.................................................................................................................................7

Step 2 of 3.................................................................................................................................9

Step 3 of 3...............................................................................................................................11

Appendix A:...................................................................................................................................15

Portal Functionalities: ..........................................................................................................15

Data Source Descriptions:....................................................................................................16

Appendix B....................................................................................................................................20
Do Not Pay Initial Questions Document 

Last Updated: December 2023

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Overview

In order to request access to the Do Not Pay Portal (DNP) for matching activities, the agency is 

required to complete the Initial Questions document. This document contains a record of the 

data sources and functionalities the agency is requesting access to for the purposes of 

preventing and detecting improper payments. The agency will also be required to provide 

explanations for why these requested data sources would strengthen their payment eligibility 

processes.

The Agency Lead/Agency Specialist prepares the Initial Questions document in the Salesforce 

DNP Community. The user will log in to the DNP Community using the Common Approach to 

Identity Assurance (CAIA) to authenticate their identity. A user can log in via a Personal 

Identity Verification (PIV) card, a Common Access Card (CAC), a LincPass card, or by using 

a Credential Service Provider (CSP), ID.me.

Enter the Community Emails

The agency user will receive two emails. 

1. The first email will come from CAIA Admin. This email is to notify the user that they 

have been provisioned access to the DNP Community.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The link on the CAIA Admin email will redirect you to the DNP Community 

homepage (https://fiscalservice.force.com/dnp/). 

DNP recommends waiting for the DNP email (that will come subsequent to this one) to use the link 

which will take you to your specific Initial Questions document.
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2. The second email will come from Do Not Pay. This email gives the user more 

information about the DNP program, a link to access their Initial Questions document,

and information on how to log in.

a. Click the link on the email to sign in.

How to Log in to the DNP Community

3. After clicking the link in the DNP email, a user will be redirected to this login screen. 

a. If a user has access to a PIV, CAC, or LincPass card, they will select the 

PIV/CAC button.

b. If a user does not have access to a PIV, CAC, or LincPass card, they will select 

the ID.me button.
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4. If a user logs in using the PIV/CAC button, they will have to select their certificate and 

enter their pin. 

5. If a user selects the ID.me button, they will be redirected to the ID.me login page. 

a. A user can use an existing ID.me account or create one.

b. The email address used to create the account must be an official work email 

address.

c. If a user is using an existing ID.me account, their official work email address 

must be selected as the primary email address in the account.
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6. After successfully logging in using the link in the DNP email, the user will see the first 

page of the Initial Questions document. 

7. If a user logs in using the CAIA email and is directed to the DNP Community homepage, 

they will see the screen down below. 

a. Select the available form to complete the Initial Questions Document.

b. The user can only complete forms that have a status of Application Sent or

Draft.
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Initial Questions 

The user may notice that some of the questions have a red bar at the beginning of the question. 

The RED bar indicates a required field. They will not be able to Submit the application to DNP 

if these required fields are not answered. They can save the form to complete later using the Save 

as Draft button. Save as Draft changes the form Status from Application Sent to Draft.

Note: DNP can assist the user in the completion of the form only when the form is in Application 

Sent and Draft status.

Step 1 of 3
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Step 2 of 3
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Step 3 of 3
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Do Not Pay Initial Questions Document 

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Appendix A:

Portal Functionalities:

Online Search

Allows the agency to search by name or other uniquely identifiable information (e.g., Tax Identification 

Number) to match against approved data sources. The match results are immediately available in the Portal for 

review.

Batch Matching (Batch)

Batch Matching allows the agency to send a payment file to DNP to match against approved data sources. If 

the agency submits its file by 5:00 p.m. Central Time, match results are available in the Portal the next day.

Continuous Monitoring (ConMon)

ConMon allows a comparison of the agency payee file against approved data sources based on the specified 

frequency (e.g., bi-weekly, monthly, and yearly) of payee file submission by the agency. The DNP data 

sources are refreshed regularly and will continuously match the file to the data sources when there is an update 

to either the agency file or the data source. This eliminates the need to repeatedly submit a file to DNP and 

allows the agency to have the most up-to-date match results. If the agency submits its file by 5:00 p.m. Central 

Time, match results are available in the Portal the next business day.

Payments

Payments is provided to all agencies that use Treasury to disburse funds. Death data sources are offered as the 

default data sources to which all payments are matched.

Results from Payments are available after payment is issued and can be used for the purposes of payment 

recapture or identifying future improper payments. DNP does not stop payments that have been identified by 

the agency as improper.

Payments can be understood as matching payments against these data sources at the time of disbursement. 

Specifically, the agency begins Payment Integration by processing its payments through the Payment 

Automation Manager (PAM). Payment files are submitted by the agency in the PAM Standard Payment 

Request (SPR) format. The agency's PAM SPR file is transmitted to the Portal for matching against death data 

sources. Match results are available in the Portal the next business day for Adjudication.

Web Service/Application Program Interface (API)

A Web Service/Application Programming Interface (API) creates a connection with agency payment systems 

and the DNP Portal. This integrates the functionalities of the Portal within agency internal systems.

There are currently two query options for API:

• Single Query API call contains the search criteria of one entity to be matched against your agency's 

approved data source(s). The DNP response will include data source match result(s) for that single 

entity.

• Multiple Query API call contains the search criteria of up to 100 entities to be matched against your 

agency's approved data source(s). The DNP response will include data source match result(s) for the 

searched entities.
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Data Source Descriptions:

Database Owner Description Data Source 

Usage

Federal 

Agency 

Usage

State 

Agency 

Usage

DEATH Verify if a payee is 

deceased

American 

InfoSource 

(AIS) Obituary 

(AIS-OBIT) & 

Probate 

(AIS-PROB)- 

Commercial

AIS Contains obituary and probate 

information on deceased 

individuals obtained from over 

3,000 funeral homes, 

thousands of newspapers, 

and county-level probate 

records

Online Search, 

Batch Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, Single 

Query API, Multiple 

Query API, 

Payments

Death Master 

File Full (DMFFull)

SSA Contains records of deaths 

reported to SSA. The deaths 

reported to SSA come from 

many sources, including 

family members, funeral 

homes, financial institutions, 

postal authorities, state 

information, and other federal 

agencies. 

Does contain vital death 

records from states.

Online Search, 

Batch Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, Single 

Query API, Multiple 

Query API, 

Payments

Department of 

Defense Death 

Data (DOD) - 

Public 

DOD Contains information on 

active-duty U.S. military and 

Reserves regarding confirmed 

or presumed deaths

Online Search, 

Batch Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, Single 

Query API, Multiple 

Query API, 

Payments

Department of 

State Death 

Data (DOS) - 

Public

DOS Contains records of American 

Citizens who are deceased or 

presumed deceased while 

abroad, as reported by U.S. 

embassies or consulates upon 

its receipt of a foreign death 

certificate or finding of death 

by a local competent authority

Online Search, 

Batch Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, Single 

Query API, Multiple 

Query API, 

Payments
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Database Owner Description Data Source 

Usage

Federal 

Agency 

Usage

State 

Agency 

Usage

Electronic 

Verification of 

Vital Events - 

Fact of Death- 

(EVVE FOD) - 

Commercial

NAPHSIS Contains information about 

death certificates contained 

within the vital records 

databases of participating 

states and jurisdictions

Online Search

DEBARMENT Verify whether an individual or 

entity is ineligible

Automatic 

Revocation 

of Exemption 

List (ARL) - 

Public

IRS Contains entities that have their taxexempt status automatically 

revoked under the law because 

they have not filed Form 990 series 

returns or notices annually for three 

consecutive years

Online Search, 

Batch Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, Single 

Query API, Multiple 

Query API

Publication 

78 (PUB 78) - 

Public

IRS Contains lists of organizations that 

can receive tax-deductible 

contributions.

• Users may rely on this list in 

determining deductibility of 

their contributions

• If an organization uses a “doing 

business as” (DBA) name, that 

name will not be listed in the 

Pub 78 Data. Only the 

organization’s official name 

submitted to the IRS is 

included in the data set

• Some donees (i.e., churches, 

group ruling subordinates, and 

governmental units) eligible to 

receive tax-deductible 

charitable contributions may 

not be listed in Pub 78 Data. 

For more information see, 

Other Eligible Donees

Online Search, 

Batch Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, Single 

Query API, Multiple 

Query API
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Database Owner Description Data Source 

Usage

Federal 

Agency 

Usage

State 

Agency 

Usage

Form 990-N 

(e-Postcard) 

(990-N) - 

Public

IRS Form 990-N (e-Postcard) is an 

annual electronic notice most small 

tax-exempt organizations (annual 

gross receipts normally $50,000 or 

less) are eligible to file instead of 

Form 990 or Form 990-EZ

Online Search, 

Batch Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, Single 

Query API, Multiple 

Query API

List of 

Excluded 

Individuals 

and Entities 

(LEIE) - 

Public & 

Restricted

HHS 

OIG

Contains information regarding 

individuals and entities currently 

excluded from participation in 

Medicare, Medicaid, and all other 

federal health care programs

Online Search, 

Batch Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, Single 

Query API, Multiple 

Query API

Office of 

Foreign 

Assets 

Control 

(OFAC) - 

Public

Treasury Contains a list of individuals and 

companies owned or controlled by, 

or acting for or on behalf of, 

targeted countries. It also lists 

individuals, groups, and entities, 

such as terrorists and narcotics 

traffickers designated under 

programs that are not country 

specific; collectively, such 

individuals and companies are 

called "Specially Designated 

Nationals" or "SDNs"; their assets 

are blocked, and U.S. persons are 

generally prohibited from doing 

business with them

Online Search, 

Batch Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, Single 

Query API, Multiple 

Query API
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Database Owner Description Data 

Source 

Usage

Federal 

Agency 

Usage

State 

Agency 

Usage

DEBARMENT Verify whether an individual or 

entity is ineligible

System for 

Award 

Management 

(SAM) Entity 

Registration 

Records - 

Restricted

GSA Contains entity registration data 

publicly available under the Freedom 

of Information Act for those entities 

registered in SAM to do business with 

the federal government in accordance 

with the Federal Acquisitions 

Regulation (FAR)

Online Search, 

Batch 

Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, 

Single Query 

API, Multiple 

Query API

Analytics 

only, 

receiving 

public 

fields and 

matching

SAM 

Exclusion 

Records - 

Public & 

Restricted

GSA Contains the data for all active 

exclusion records entered by the 

federal government identifying those 

parties excluded from receiving 

federal contracts, certain 

subcontracts, and federal financial 

and non-financial assistance and 

benefits

Online Search, 

Batch 

Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, 

Single Query 

API, Multiple 

Query API

Public only

DEBT Verify if an individual or entity is 

delinquent, owes non-tax debt, 

or child support

Credit Alert 

System 

(CAIVRS) - 

Restricted

DOJ, 

HUD, 

SBA, 

USDA & 

VA

Contains information on loan 

applicants that have any federal debt 

that is currently in default or 

foreclosure or has had a claim paid by 

the reporting agency within the last 

three years

Although CAIVRS may not identify all 

federal “delinquent debt” or “prior 

losses,” it is a valuable resource for 

“delinquent debt.”

Online Search, 

Batch 

Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, 

Single Query 

API, Multiple 

Query API

Analytics 

only, HUD, 

SBA, 

USDA 

feeds only

Treasury 

Offset 

Program 

(TOP) Debt 

Check 

(DBCK) - 

Restricted

Treasury Contains data on individuals who are 

delinquent on non-tax debts and child 

support obligations to the federal 

government (and participating states) 

if allowed by agency statute and 

regulations

Online Search, 

Batch 

Matching, 

Continuous 

Monitoring, 

Single Query 

API, Multiple 

Query API
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Appendix B 

Do Not Pay Guide to Accessing TOP Debt Check-Restricted

PURPOSE

This enclosure will help agencies determine if the law permits them to access the Department of the Treasury’s 

Debt Check data source through Treasury’s Do Not Pay Portal, and if yes, for what purposes they may use 

Debt Check information. The “Background” section explains why Debt Check is part of Do Not Pay and what 

data Debt Check contains. The “Restrictions on Disclosure and Use” explains the laws restricting the Do Not 

Pay Portal’s ability to disclose information. The final section, “Accessing Debt Check,” lays out the 

circumstances under which agencies may access Debt Check Data through Do Not Pay.

BACKGROUND

Why is Debt Check Part of Do Not Pay? Debt Check is one data source listed in the Payment Integrity 

Information Act of 2019 (PIIA), which directed agencies to review available databases with relevant 

information on eligibility before the release of any federal funds, “to the extent permitted by law.” PIIA 

requires agencies to review data in Debt Check and other specific databases “where applicable and permitted 

by law.” Based on the directive in PIIA, Treasury has included Debt Check in Do Not Pay and requires 

information from agencies to determine if the data is relevant to eligibility for the program seeking access and 

if such access is permitted by law.

What Data is in Debt Check? Debt Check is an extract, or subset, of data contained in the Treasury Offset 

Program (TOP) delinquent debtor database. TOP has data regarding delinquent federal and state debts for the 

purpose of offsetting and levying federal and state payments in accordance with several statutes and 

regulations. Some of the data in TOP is relevant for use with another debt collection tool referred to as 

“barring delinquent debtors.” Barring delinquent debtors refers to the statutory bar on federal agencies 

providing loans, loan insurance and loan guarantees to applicants who owe federal nontax debts that are over 

90 days delinquent, unless they pay or otherwise resolve their debts. In 1996, by Executive Order 13019 that 

bar was extended to delinquent child support obligations submitted to TOP for collection by administrative 

offset. Therefore, Treasury created Debt Check by extracting data regarding federal nontax debts and child 

support obligations that were 90 days past due.

RESTRICTIONS ON DISCLOSURE AND USE

What Restrictions Apply to the Disclosure and Use of Debt Check Data? In general, debts owed by 

individuals in the TOP database are subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (PA). Among other things, 

the PA prohibits disclosure of data about individuals in a “system of records”, as the PA defines that term, 

unless the disclosure meets an exemption. All the data in TOP and other Treasury debt collection databases are 

contained in Treasury/Fiscal Service* System of Records Notice (SORN) .012. The PA exemption most 

relevant to sharing Debt Check data is referred to as a “routine use.” Agencies may disclose data pursuant to a 

routine use, so long as the use is consistent with the purpose for which the data was collected (as stated in the 

applicable SORN), and the routine use has been published in the Federal Register for notice and comment.

The data in SORN .012 has been collected and maintained for the purpose of collecting delinquent debt and 

identifying, preventing and recouping improper payments. The routine uses Treasury has published are 

consistent with those purposes. This means that Treasury must determine if an agency’s proposed use of Debt 

Check data is consistent with the stated purposes—collection of delinquent debt or prevention, identification 

or recoupment of improper payments. Once disclosed, recipients of that information may only use it in 

accordance with the purpose for which it was disclosed.
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ACCESSING TOP DEBT CHECK

What Uses Has Treasury Already Identified as Permissible? Treasury has already determined that certain 

uses of Debt Check are clearly permissible under the SORN. Uses that are already approved include:

a) barring delinquent debtors from receiving any federal benefit, privilege or license unless they 

resolve the debt or taking any other adverse action against a debtor unless they resolve the debt 

(e.g., negative scoring on a procurement until obtain proof that the debt is paid or otherwise 

resolved);

b) taking an action to try to collect the debt (e.g., informing the debtor of the existence of the debt 

and encouraging them to contact and pay the agency they owe); and

c) auditing programs where payments to debtors are prohibited in order to identify and/or recoup 

improper payments.

What Uses Has Treasury Determined Are Not Appropriate? While not prohibited by law, Treasury does 

not want or expect agencies to set up internal offset or recoupment plans for payments that TOP can offset. 

Such efforts would be duplicative and not cost beneficial.

Are There Other Permissible Uses? Treasury will consider any additional proposed uses of Debt Check data 

to determine if the use will assist debt collection or identify, prevent, or recoup improper payments. In order to 

make this determination, Treasury will ask the agency for information about the proposed uses to ensure that 

the Debt Check data is relevant, and the proposed use is consistent with the routine uses in our SORN.