Effective Dates: 07/02/2025 - Present Previous | Next

TN 33 (07-25)

DI 13005.070 Field Office (FO) Actions During a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) to Handle Potential Suicidal or Homicidal Behavior

Sometimes, after learning that an unfavorable determination may occur, some individuals make suicidal or homicidal threats, or otherwise demonstrate that they may become dangerous to themselves or to others. When this occurs during a CDR, the FO must follow the instructions in DI 11005.080 and the instructions in this section.

A. Suicidal or homicidal behaviors issue arises during a face-to-face CDR interview

When a FO identifies a threat of suicidal or homicidal behavior during a face-to-face interview, this situation does not result in an automatic deferral of the CDR. The FO must consider handling this situation under the deferral provisions in DI 13005.020. In these situations, contact the regional office (RO) providing all pertinent details of the suicidal or homicidal behavior in the case, and request assistance in determining if the case applies for a deferral.

1. Disability determination services (DDS) refers the case to the FO with a notice of threat of suicidal or homicidal behavior

The DDS must contact the FO via telephone, upon receipt of the threat in the DDS. The FO must then establish a method to control this information within the office. For example, the FO should:

  • •

    establish a central location for these cases that relate to referring and retaining the individual; and

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    assign a specific employee in the office to follow up on these sensitive cases.

To control these cases, the FO must maintain current information in a folder for each case, so the FO interviewer can review the record prior to conducting the interview with the disabled individual.

2. FO identifies potential suicidal or homicidal behavior in the FO when the case is in the DDS

The DDS requires that each DDS appoint a designated authority (the DDS administrator or designee) to coordinate actions in the DDS for a suicidal or homicidal situation. Any case which displays a potential of suicidal or homicidal behavior and the case is in the DDS, the FO (through direct contact either with the DDS or through a RO coordinator) must advise the DDS designated authority by telephone with all pertinent facts and circumstances involving the potential threat. The FO must prepare a SSA-5002 (Report of Contact) reporting the telephone contact. Send the original SSA-5002 to the DDS, and retain a copy for the FO records. For an eCDR, use an electronic SSA-5002 in the EF and add a message or flag to EDCS, see DI 81010.115 and DI 81010.080.

3. FO identifies potential suicidal or homicidal behavior in the FO when the claim folder is in the FO

If the case folder is in the FO:

  • •

    Record all the details of the threat of suicide or homicide behavior on an SSA-5002 (Report of Contact) and any contacts with the DDS, and

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    Place the SSA-5002 in the folder.

Annotate any established FO control records to show this information.

NOTE: For an eCDR, complete the SSA-5002 using the instructions in DI 81010.115.

4. FO identifies potential suicidal or homicidal behavior in the FO when the case folder is no longer in the FO or the DDS

If the claims folder is no longer in the FO or the DDS:

  • •

    determine the current location of the folder,

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    telephone the details of the situation to the component with possession of the folder,

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    complete a SSA-5002 (Report of Contact),

  • •

    send the SSA-5002 (Report of Contact) to the component for association with the folder, and

  • •

    retain a copy for the FO records.

NOTE: For an eCDR, complete the SSA-5002 using the instructions in DI 81010.115.

B. Summary for processing suicidal or homicidal cases

It is essential for the FO to keep two major facts in mind when handling cases involving potential suicidal or homicidal behavior. First, the FO must constantly remain alert to the possibility of such behavior and maintain close telephone contact with the DDS, not only for the purpose of initial notification of this type of case, but to keep the DDS advised of any subsequent development and assist when necessary.

Second, the FO must be patient, sensitive, and considerate when dealing with a potentially suicidal or homicidal individual. The FO must thoroughly explain the appeal steps to the disabled individual and explain the benefit continuation provisions in P.L. 98-460.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0413005070
DI 13005.070 - Field Office (FO) Actions During a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) to Handle Potential Suicidal or Homicidal Behavior - 07/02/2025
Batch run: 07/02/2025
Rev:07/02/2025