If a claimant calls the FO or comes into the office and wants to file an application
for disability benefits, ask the claimant questions to help you decide what the best
method for conducting the interview, such as:
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Alleged disabling conditions;
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Ability to understand, read, and write English (For instructions on Special Interviewing
Situations: Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or Language Assistance Required, see
GN 00203.011);
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Deaf or hard-of-hearing (For instructions on Special Interviewing Situations (Deaf
or Hard-of-Hearing Individual, see GN 00203.012);
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Blind or visually-impaired;
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Willingness to complete the required forms; and
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Computer and Internet access (self-help).
The self-help method may not be appropriate if you determine that FO or DDS recontact
will be difficult (e.g., when the claimant is homeless, will be difficult to contact
by telephone, or will be on an extended trip and unavailable for contact). Instead,
in these situations, complete all required forms during the initial interview and
do not curtail completion of the SSA-3368 (Disability Report – Adult) or SSA-3820
(Disability Report – Child), and annotate the SSA-3367 (Disability Report – Field
Office) with the reason for any current or expected difficulty in recontacting the
claimant.
References:
GN 00203.003 Face-to-Face Contact with Claimants
GN 00203.015 Considerations in Telephone Interviewing
GN 00301.180 Identifying Claimants Who Need Assistance
GN 00203.009 Difficult Interviewing Situations
DI 11005.020 Curtailing Completion of the SSA-3368 (Disability Report – Adult) or the SSA-3820
(Disability Report – Child) Forms
GN 03910.001 Representation of Claimants – Overview
SI 00601.027 Title II Application as a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Oral Inquiry
SI 00601.035 Adjudicating Title II When a Title XVI Application Is Filed