The parent-child relationship does not begin until the date of the written acknowledgment,
unless the evidence points to an earlier date. For information on using Form SSA-2514
Record of Claimant's intent to file or its electronic equivalent to protect the date
of a written acknowledgment, see GN 00306.105G.
If multiple written acknowledgments are available, determine which writing is easiest
to obtain and entitle the child. Later, obtain the writing that provides the child
with the earliest month of entitlement.
You may need to develop other evidence of the parent child relationship where retroactivity
is at issue. For information on retroactivity for child's benefits, see RS 00203.001A.2.
EXAMPLE: If the NH acknowledged the child on their Application for Retirement Insurance Benefits
(SSA-1) but there are retroactive benefits due the child, the acknowledgment on the
SSA-1 will permit payment only from the month of filing. In order to pay the child
for the retroactive period, you must establish that an earlier acknowledgment, court
decree, or court order exists, or that the other evidence proves that the child meets
the conditions for the earlier period.