The Disability Determination Services (DDS) must make a medical cessation determination before continued payments may occur to beneficiaries participating in an appropriate program of VR services, employment services, or other support services. The field office (FO) will develop participation in VR or a similar program per DI 14510.003C.

To prevent erroneous termination of a potential Section 301 case, ODO takes the following action immediately upon receipt of a case.

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  For a Title II case, check the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR)) special message field for Section 301 remarks. If there are no remarks, annotate the MBR special message field for "Section 301 determination pending - do not take action on medical cessation - MM/DD/YY."

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  For a Title XVI case, check the Supplemental Security Record (SSR) for Section 301 remarks and the Vocational Rehabilitation Plan (VP) diary. If there are no remarks or the VP diary is not present, email a request to the servicing FO to input the diary and update the remarks on the SSR.

Review the SSA-4290-F5 (Development of Participation in a Vocational or Similar Program) and development obtained by the FO to verify that the beneficiary is participating in VR or a similar program that meets the definition of an appropriate program of VR services, employment services, or other support services as described in DI 14505.010B.

Request further documentation from the provider of services, if necessary, to determine whether the program meets the requirements. Such documentation may include copies of licenses, registration or accreditation.

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  If a provider refuses to provide information on an SSA-4290-F5 because of privacy concerns, mail or fax them a signed SSA-827 (Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration). If the provider still refuses to provide the information, document the refusal and contact the beneficiary and inform them that the provider is unwilling to disclose the required information. Ask the beneficiary to contact the provider to ask them to send the required information. Document your contact with the beneficiary, on a form SSA-5002 (Report of Contact). If you are unable to obtain the information:

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  For an initial Section 301 case - make a denial determination

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  For a Section 301 follow-up diary case - send a due process notice to terminate benefits

Review the SSA-4290-F5 to determine whether the beneficiary is currently participating in the program per DI 14505.010C.

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  We determine a beneficiary to be participating in VR or a similar program if a beneficiary is taking part in the activities and services outlined in the individual work plan (IWP), individualized plan for employment (IPE), or from an appropriate provider described in DI 14505.010B.

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  For a beneficiary participating in a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), the PASS specialist who approved the PASS will complete Part II, Section C of the SSA-4290-F5. To contact the PASS specialist, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/passcadre.htm.

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  We determine a student aged 18 through 21 receiving services under an individualized education program (IEP) to be participating in the program if the student is taking part in the activities and services outlined in the IEP.

We determine a beneficiary to be currently participating when the SSA-4290-F5 is dated within the preceding 90 days, and the beneficiary is taking part in the activities and services outlined in the plan or program. A “yes” response to question two of Part II, Section A, B, C, or D indicates current participation.