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American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)
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performs the functions of a non-claims taking post (NCTP); and
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receives evidence and certifies copies of documents.
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AIT is not an official FSP.
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Employees send requests for assistance to the AIT the same as FBUs in GN 00904.220.
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Border FOs
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manage claims when the claimant resides or uses a mailing address in Canada.
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For locations of border FOs, refer to Foreign Countries Serviced by Social Security
FOs.
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DIO
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has PC, disability determination service (DDS) (through its International Disability
Unit (IDU)) and FO functions.
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DIO FO function
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develops and coordinates foreign claims and related issues; and
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DIO is the servicing FO if the principal beneficiary or claimant:
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resides or uses an address in a foreign country; or
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uses a foreign army post office (APO) or fleet post office (FPO) address (i.e., one
which is not listed in the Detailed Office Organization Resource System (DOORS)).
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DIO IDU function
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manages the full range of disability determination services (DDS) functions;
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secures and develops medical evidence for disability claims for DIB beneficiaries
when they move abroad for six or more months; and
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processes appeals with the right to a disability hearing for disability claims when
a Title II beneficiaries moves abroad for 6 or more months.
A Federal disability hearing officer (DHO) must conduct the disability hearing for
an individual who uses a foreign address.
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Refer to DI 33025.015 for more information on the DHO's responsibilities.
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DIO Payment Center (PC), PC8 functions
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manages post-entitlement (PE) actions, but also process awards.
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DIO has PC jurisdiction if at least one beneficiary:
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resides in a country to which the payment of benefits is barred;
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uses a foreign mailing address, including a foreign APO or FPO address;
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will be outside the U.S. for at least 6 months, even if the beneficiary uses a U.S.
mailing address;
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resides in the U.S. and is entitled to totalization benefits; or
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resides in the U.S., is not insured for Retirement, Survivors, Disability , and Health
Insurance (RSDHI) benefits but has at least 6 U.S. quarters of coverage, and their
claim for totalization benefits has been denied.
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Division of Training and Program Support (DTPS)
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serves as a liaison to DOS offices and coordinates the activities of these SSA representatives.
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Domestic FOs
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manage claims when the claimant resides, or uses a mailing address in the U.S.; and
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develops and coordinates foreign claims and related issues when in their jurisdiction.
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Domestic FOs have jurisdiction of foreign claims when there is a domestic claimant
on the same Social Security record, except for individuals residing in Canada. Refer
to GN 00904.052A for the definition of a domestic claimant.
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FBU (CTU)
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trained in the taking and development of Social Security claims and related issues;
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forwards the claim to the DIO IBO for adjudication.
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FBUs are located within 21 FSPs. For a list of FBUs by RFBO jurisdiction, see GN 00904.220.
Refer to GN 00904.225 for a more detailed explanation of an FBU. For more information on the FBU's role
in assisting with claims development and evidence evaluation, see GN 00307.005.
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Foreign cases
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RSDHI claims or records in which at least one claimant or beneficiary lives outside
the U.S.
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Foreign claims
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applications filed by, or on behalf of, individuals living abroad.
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FSPs
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collaborate with our agency to deliver U.S. foreign assistance; and
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require prior approval from the Regional Federal Benefit Unit Officer (RFBO) before
assisting.
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There are approximately 276 FSPs abroad.
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IBO - a component in DIO that acts much like a FO.
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receives, reviews, and adjudicates claims packages developed and sent to them by FBUs;
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receives claims applications involving Totalization claims;
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contact FSPs for them to secure applications from agreement countries or for their
assistance in developing Totalization claims.
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IBO is the servicing office if the principal beneficiary or claimant:
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resides in a foreign country;
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uses an address in a foreign country; or
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uses a foreign APO or FPO address (i.e., one which is not listed in DOORS).
Refer to GN 01703.210 IBO Processing Instructions for Totalization.
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Japan FSP
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serve as NCTPs, although they stock SSA forms and applications;
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not trained in claims taking.
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Payment Centers (PCs)
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develop through the FO pre-adjudicatively on ALJ allowances; and
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discusses questions on facets of an FO-prepared award (e.g., SDW) that requires high
priority contact with the FO.
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NCTPs - have limited knowledge of our programs, not fully trained in our policies.
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serviced by an assigned FBU;
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answers inquiries with limited knowledge of our programs;
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take information and proofs for the SS-5 Application for a Social Security card; and
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require prior authorization from the RFBO unless it is for the first time SSN for
someone age 12 or older.
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U.S. embassies, consulates general, consulates, and consular agencies outside the
designated FBU posts.
NCTPs do not assist with taking claims.
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| Outside the U.S. |
RSDHI claims - residing outside the 50 States, the District of Columbia (D.C.), American Samoa,
Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
claims - residing outside the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the NMI.
Nonresident aliens in self-employment (SE) - non-residents of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Nonresident alien withholding tax provision -
residing outside the 50 states, D.C., Guam, and NM.
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Office of Strategic Planning, Notices, and International Policy (OSNIP)
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has program and policy responsibilities (e.g., determining policy, writing POMS, etc.)
for administering the Social Security program outside the U.S.
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RFBO
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senior SSA representatives abroad, assigned to the U.S. Foreign Service Reserve;
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serves both as chief of the FBU and as an advisor and program coordinator for the
other posts within the assigned regional area; and
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Oversees the FBU at a U.S. Embassy.
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RFBOs have a consular officer with the title of Federal Benefits Officer (FBO).
Assigned to six regional FBUs) in U.S. Embassies.
Refer to GN 00904.220 for the list of the six regional FBUs and the FBUs under their jurisdiction.
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Totalization claims
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applications for benefits filed under an international Social Security
agreement between the U.S. and another country.
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For more information refer to GN 01700.000.
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