TN 11 (09-87)

RM 03816.003 Definition of “Different Name” and “Same Name” Scrambled Earnings Cases

The definitions of “Different Name” and “Same Name” provided in this section are generally applicable to all cases. However, if Hispanic or Asian or Pacific Islander names are involved, the procedures in RM 10205.125 (which define the customs for displaying names) should be reviewed before applying the definitions cited in RM 03816.003A and RM 03816.003B below.

A. Different Name

Any of the following examples are considered “different names”:

  1. 1. 

    James Jones—Samuel Jones

  2. 2. 

    James B. Jones—John B. Jones

  3. 3. 

    James B. Jones—James A. Jones

  4. 4. 

    J. Jones—S. Jones

  5. 5. 

    J.A. Jones—J.B. Jones

  6. 6. 

    J.B. Jones—S.B. Jones

  7. 7. 

    James Bernard Jones—James Benson Jones

  8. 8. 

    J. Bernard Jones—J.Benson Jones

B. Same Name

  1. 1. 

    Where the surnames are exactly the same, any combination of the following examples are considered the “same name”:

    1. a. 

      James Bernard Jones

    2. b. 

      James B. Jones

    3. c. 

      J. Bernard Jones

    4. d. 

      J.B. Jones

    5. e. 

      James Jones

    6. f. 

      J. Jones

    7. g. 

      Jr., Sr., III, etc., or title with any of the above.

    8. h. 

      A derivative or nickname of the first name in place of any of the above (i.e., Jimmy Jones, or Jimmy B. Jones).

  2. 2. 

    Where the surnames are not exact but similar and meet one or more of the following conditions, they are considered “same name”:

    1. a. 

      Have the same pronunciation (Hagan—Hagen).

    2. b. 

      Comparison indicates that it is the same name misspelled.

    3. c. 

      One name is an anglicization of the other name.

    4. d. 

      One name is part of the other name (Mary Oram-Johnson—Mary Johnson or Mary Oram).

  3. 3. 

    For Chinese surnames, treat either combination of first and surname as the “same name” (Chiang Peng = Peng Chiang).

  4. 4. 

    For Spanish surnames, treat any combination of compound surnames as the “same name” (Juan Sanchez-Diaz = Juan Diaz-Sanchez, J.S. Diaz = J.D. Sanchez, etc.).


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0103816003
RM 03816.003 - Definition of <Quote>Different Name</Quote> and <Quote>Same Name</Quote> Scrambled Earnings Cases - 07/08/2010
Batch run: 10/15/2018
Rev:07/08/2010