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Prepare, date, and release the notice “SSA-L810 20/40 LTR.” (Make an original and
two copies.) File one copy in the joint freeze folder. Paperclip the second copy of
the notice to the “SCAN COPY” of the SSA-831. Paperclip the “SCAN COPY” and the “DATA
COPY” of the form to the front of the joint freeze folder. Dispatch the case to the
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). No follow up control is needed.
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The Great Lakes Program Service Center-Disability Processing Branch (GLPSC-DPB) control
clerks will separate the “SCAN” and “DATA” copies of the SSA-831 upon folder dispatch.
The “SCAN COPY” and SSA-L810 20/40 LTR will receive priority scanning into the paperless
processing system, in anticipation of a possible claim for cash DIB benefits with
SSA.
NOTE: In those allowance cases in which the annuitant meets the insured status requirements
for DIB benefits with SSA but has excluded SSA benefits from the scope of the RRB
application, the GLPSC-DPB sends a notice to the NH advising that SSA has established
a period of disability freeze for him or her, and that the NH is also insured for
DIB. The notice explains that the NH would need to file an application for benefits
with SSA to be entitled to DIB.
A computer-fillable version of the “SSA-L810 - 20/40 LTR” is available in DPB LETTERS
– Railroad Cases. The notice provides the RRB contact information at www.rrb.gov and the toll-free number, 1-877-772-5772.
Since there is a dollar for dollar offset of RRB benefits for any SSA benefits, the
notice advises the NH to contact RRB to determine if filing a claim for SSA benefits
would be advantageous. In most cases, there is no advantage for the railroad (RR)
annuitant to file a disability claim with SSA. However, if the claimant has dependents
who would be eligible for Social Security benefits, it may be to his or her advantage
to file with SSA. Only the RRB has sufficient information to advise the claimant if it would be advantageous
to file with SSA.