Interim benefit payments require close management to prevent payment beyond the month
of final decision. Because of the sensitivity of this workload, please follow the
OAO development guidelines in this section.
The procedures in this section apply if the case is pending an AC decision or was
remanded back to the ALJ for a decision. Therefore, PC staff and management should
carefully evaluate which office to contact.
If
|
then
|
The claimant is still in interim benefit payment status for nine months
|
The PC will query the Case Processing & Management System (CPMS) to see if the case
is pending with the AC or is pending in the Hearing Office (HO).
If the case is pending with the AC:
The PC will emailOAO and inquire about the status of the claim pending. OAO will provide status via fax
or email if the case is pending with the AC. Establish diary to recontact OAO in three
months and return the case to the holding file for the next followup.
If the case is pending in an HO:
The PC will email the hearing office director (HOD) and inquire about the status of
the claim pending. Use the HO
staff
listing to obtain the name of the HOD. The HOD will provide status via telephone or email
if the case is pending with the HO. Establish diary to recontact the HO in three months
and return the case to the holding file for the next followup.
|
The claimant is still in interim benefit payment status for 12 months
|
The PC will query CPMS to verify whether the case is pending with the AC or HO.
If the case is pending with the AC
The PC will write a memorandum to the executive director of OAO requesting OAO to
expedite the case and inform him or her that interim benefit payments continued for
12 months without a final decision. Include any special characteristics of the case.
The module manager will forward the memorandum via email to ^DCARO
OAO and return the case to the holding file for the next followup.
If the case is pending in an HO
The PC will write a memorandum to the director of the Division of Field Procedures
(DFP) requesting DFP expedite the case and inform him or her that interim benefit
payments continued for 12 months without a final decision. Include any special characteristics
of the case. The module manager will forward the memorandum via email to |||OHO OCALJ
DFP and return the case to the holding file for the next followup.
|
The claimant is still in interim benefit payment status for 15 months
|
The PC will query CPMS to verify whether the case is pending with the AC or HO.
If the case is pending with the AC
The PC will send an email with subject line “URGENT-SECOND NOTIFICATION” to ^DCARO OAO and inquire about the status of the claim pending decision. OAO will provide status
via telephone or email. Return the case to the holding file for the next followup.
If the case is pending with the HO
The PC will send an email with subject line “URGENT-SECOND NOTIFICATION” to |||ODAR OCALJ DFP
and inquire about the status of the claim pending. The DFP will provide status via
telephone or email. Return the case to the holding file for the next followup.
|
The claimant is still in interim benefit payment status for more than 16 months
|
Refer the issue to the PC’s Operation Support Branch with a summary of the facts and
a copy of the original memorandum. The OSB Chief will forward the original memorandum
written to the executive director of OAO or director of the DFP to the Office of the
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Analytics, Review, and Oversight (OARO) via email and
request the case be expedited. Contact OARO using the control box ^DCARO
Controls. Inform the Deputy Commissioner that interim benefit payments have continued for
more than 16 months without a final decision. Include any previous correspondence
with OAO OR OHO (if available) or special characteristics of the case. Return the
case to the holding file pending a reply.
|