A dire need situation exists when a claimant or another individual alleges, or information
we have indicates that one or more of the following circumstances:
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Dire financial need, which means the claimant does not possess sufficient income or
resources to address an immediate threat to their health or safety ( for example,
lack of food, medicine, or medical care); or
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The non-receipt or interruption of benefit payments that has caused a financial hardship.
Absent evidence to the contrary, the Field Office (FO) or Disability Determination
Services (DDS) should accept a claimant's allegation of their circumstances. If the
FO or DDS later determines the claimant's circumstances no longer meet dire need criteria,
the dire need designation can be removed.