You can partially adjudicate a claim based on SSA earnings alone pending resolution
of issues involving RR compensation (e.g., creditability of Military Service (MS)
under RR, lag RR employment, prior service). However, the NH must be insured based
on posted SSA earnings in addition to undisputed lag earnings alone. Process a survivor
claim as non-DOFA (RV-19) if the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) advises that the
jurisdiction determination will be excessively delayed.
A determination of jurisdiction is only necessary for survivor claims and only when the NH had RR earnings. The RRB makes the determination about which organization (RRB or
SSA) has adjudicative authority over the claim. See RS 01601.150 for more information about the Lump Sum Death Payment under the Railroad Retirement
Act (RRA).
Payment certification, determination is always necessary on a life claim (see RS 01601.200 - RS 01601.210).