SSA is made aware by individuals, by the individual's survivors, by third-parties, or through its own processes that an E/R is incorrect or is allegedly incorrect. This may occur in both claims and non-claims situations.

Wage evidence is provided to SSA by individuals, the individual's survivors, or third-parties, or it may also be requested from third-parties (e.g., employers) when necessary.

An SSA employee, who has the delegated authority to make initial determinations regarding wage evidence, determines whether the wage evidence is sufficient to overcome the presumption that the earnings record is correct as posted.

Listing Code 374 is used when earnings adjustment postings, employer report, or SE income data from the IRS are still in process, see RS 01405.090. To prevent automatic processing of PIA increases, the Listing Code 374 is posted for temporary and ongoing earnings inaccuracies, see RS 01405.090. The listing code may be established through MCS via the DECI screen or through PCACS via the LIST screen.

Notice is sent to the individual (or the individual's survivor) whose E/R was adjusted or whose request for correction is denied. All initial determinations require appeal rights in the notice. See RS 01405.003A.4. and RS 01405.005C.3.

In claims and pre claims cases the office responsible for initiating, development and processing the request for correction of the E/R is not limited to the office servicing the NH’s current address. Generally, the office of initial contact (phone, written, or walk-in) may initiate and develop the earnings issue. This may be the FO, PC, OCO or TSC (in limited circumstances.) The office that makes the determination is responsible for providing the appropriate notice with appeal rights (as necessary). In scrambled earnings situations only one office has jurisdiction and control of the case.

Whenever a determination is made to correct an individual’s E/R and the individual does not agree with the decision, the individual has the right to appeal the decision.

The request for reconsideration may be processed by any office that receives the request, the FO, PC or OCO. The reconsideration request must be handled by someone other than the person who provided the initial determination.

Forward requests for an appeal of the reconsideration determination or request for hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) or appeal of the ALJ’s decision to ODAR. ODAR will notify relevant operation offices of any necessary actions.

Follow guidelines, this includes information on primary and secondary evidence requirements, see RS 01403.005 through RS 01403.080..

Follow guidelines for developing wage evidence in RS 01404.005 through RS 01404.225. This includes development guidelines for lag and pre-lag wages (including development of gaps, incomplete postings, erroneous postings, and duplicate postings).

Follow guidelines, which provide uniform procedures for special determinations including wage determinations,in GN 01010.360.

See RM 03870.045 through RM 03870.094.