Effective Dates: 09/26/2023 - Present Previous | Next

TN 1 (09-23)

DI 39533.001 Intercomponent Review Draft (IRD) Process

A. Introduction

This transmittal explains the intercomponent review draft (IRD) process to be used for all transmittals, except those being rewritten during the POMS rewrite project. (Guidelines for the IRD process for rewrite transmittals have previously been issued, but are not in the POMS.)

B. Policy principles

1. Written guidelines

  1. a. 

    SSA will provide the Disability Determination Services (DDSs) with written guidelines necessary for carrying out their responsibilities in performing the disability determination function.

  2. b. 

    The DDS will comply with the written guidelines in Part 04 of the Program Operations Manual System (POMS).

  3. c. 

    POMS includes certain policies, procedures, operating instructions, and guides designated as advisory or discretionary.

2. Opportunity to participate

  1. a. 

    A representative group of DDSs will be given an opportunity to participate in formulating disability program policies that have an effect on their role in carrying out the disability determination function.

  2. b. 

    DDSs will also be given the opportunity to comment before changes are made in written guidelines unless delay in issuing a change may impair service to the public.

C. Operating policy

1. Request for review

  1. a. 

    An Intercomponent Review Draft (IRD) is a DRAFT version of a proposed POMS transmittal that authoring components send out for agency stakeholders' review and comment.

  2. b. 

    IRDs will be sent directly from Office of Disability Determinations (ODD) to each reviewing component.

  3. c. 

    The purpose of the IRD is to ensure that all stakeholders have a forum to submit comments related to specific workloads or policies. An author can request an electronic IRD (eIRD) via the PolicyNet Publication System (PPS).

  4. d. 

    Once requested, an eIRD site is established and the system notifies the author via email.

2. Due dates

  1. a. 

    Normally, 45 days for DDS review.

  2. b. 

    If the author prefers a shorter timeframe or has a need to waive the IRD, the author must request a waiver from the applicable Deputy Commissioner of Operations (DCO) component.

D. Operating procedure

1. Review of IRDs

  1. a. 

    Review for:

    • •

      substance;

    • •

      operational impact;

    • •

      resource impact.

  2. b. 

    Complete the eIRD. Written comments may also be submitted in a memorandum or directly on the draft transmittal.

2. Submission of comments

  1. a. 

    The eIRD site manager creates a specific page for the IRD (within three working days). Once created, the system notifies the author that the eIRD SharePoint page is ready via email, which includes the link to the page. The author checks all the documents within the created page for accuracy and then sends the supplied link to stakeholders for comment.

  2. b. 

    Reviewers upload their comments on the eIRD SharePoint page.

  3. c. 

    Once all comments are received and the eIRD period ends, the author reconciles comments of the draft section(s) in PPS during the "Post IRD Authoring" step of the PPS process.

E. Related policy

1. General

Questions and comments received from the DDSs, which require response or clarification, will be handled through ROs.

2. Preparation of final instructions

All comments will be considered during the preparation of final instructions.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0439533001
DI 39533.001 - Intercomponent Review Draft (IRD) Process - 09/26/2023
Batch run: 09/26/2023
Rev:09/26/2023