Review the SSA-3369-BK by checking that all items and questions requiring a response are completed. Even
if the claimant is unable to give more than a nonspecific answer, such as, “I don't
know” or “unknown” to a particular question or item involved, this assures that the
claimant has not overlooked or omitted an item or question.)
After reviewing the SSA-3369-BK, telephone the claimant for further information, if needed. When you obtain additional
information about a job, identify which job and which information you are modifying
or supplementing.
Document any additional information in the Claim Communications section of the electronic
Claims Analysis Tool (eCAT). For eCAT exclusions, document your findings on an SSA-5002 (Report of Contact), or the Case Development Summary Worksheet as described in DI 20503.001. Disability Case Processing System (DCPS) users should document a telephone contact
for evidence or action in a case note on the Case Notes section or under Manage Request
on the Evidence Request table in DCPS.
NOTE: If more than one SSA-3369-BK is used, complete identifying information in Section 1, and as much of Section 2
and 3 as is necessary. Mark the second form “Supplementary” at the top. If a different
continuation sheet is used, identify it clearly.
1. Resolving inconsistent information
Determine whether the information on the SSA-3369-BK is clear, consistent, and material to the determination. Clarify any inconsistent
information material to the determination, including inconsistencies between work
demands and the claimant’s narrative descriptions. Do not pursue additional development
to make clarifications on inconsistencies that are not material to the disability
determination.
For example, when the expedite procedure applies PRW information is not material. For
information on the expedited vocational procedures, see DI 25005.005.
If the job duties described seem inconsistent with the claimant’s stated exertional
demands, clarify and resolve the issue with the claimant if information about a particular
job is material to the determination.
For example, the claimant stated he spent all day collecting trash from individual
offices and then dumping that trash into a large dumpster at the end of the day. However,
he also stated he performed no lifting as part of his job duties. Clarify this inconsistent
information if claimant’s ability to do that job, as he described, is material to
the determination. i.e., if he was required to collect trash by lifting it into the
dumpster at the end of the day, lifting was part of his job duties.
2. Inconsistencies in time spent doing work requirements and hours worked
Only clarify time spent doing work requirements and hours worked if it is not possible
to make reasonable assumptions about the claimant’s intended meaning. For example,
the combined hours spent in various tasks do not need to match the total hours worked.
Some tasks performed may overlap.
For example, a claimant may stand while stooping. In some instances, it may be difficult
for the claimant to parse out the difference between hours standing and hours walking.
For example, if the claimant stated he stood six hours and walked six hours in an
eight-hour day that is likely an indication that he spent six hours a day standing
or walking intermittently.
Even for instances in which the claimant provides extremely inconsistent times spent
doing various work requirements, it may be possible to rule out the claimant’s ability
to do that job as performed without further clarifications.
For example, the lifting and carrying requirements of the job may be beyond the claimant’s
RFC level, making further clarification of hours spent standing and walking immaterial
to the determination.