Notice language is available for use by SSA's field offices (FOs) for earnings record
development and close-out purposes. These notices have been updated to provide uniform
language and timeframes to submit proof of earnings throughout SSA offices. These
notices are included in DPS and available via ONS in both English and Spanish versions.
The notices should be issued by the FO when a NH contacts SSA concerning a problem
with either missing wages or self-employment income reported to their earnings record
(gaps). Do not issue these notices in situations where the NH has alleged incorrect
posted earnings since SSA requires additional proof of earnings for these reviews
than those required for missing earnings. If the NH first contacts SSA's Teleservice
Center (TSC) regarding missing earnings, the TSC representative should follow their
standard operating procedures.
The development notices inform the NH of the types of proof of earnings they need
to submit and the timeframe to submit the proof to SSA (15 days). If no proof of earnings
is received in 15 days, then issue a follow-up notice and allow an additional 15 days
to submit the proof. Finally, issue a close-out notice when the NH fails to respond
to SSA's request for proof of earnings to review the earnings record. Discontinue
the review of the NH's earnings record.
NOTE: The final close-out notice is only to be issued when proof of
earnings has not been submitted and/or the NH fails to cooperate with SSA. However,
if the NH submits some proof of earnings, then the request for correction should be denied via 2.8 Item
Correction.