MSSICS interviews are always completed by personal contact (face-to-face or telephone) interviews. Telephone is the preferred method. See exceptions in SI 02305.031A.5.

The SSA-8203-BK is always completed by personal contact (face-to-face or telephone) interview. Telephone is the preferred method. See exceptions in 5. below.

The SSA-8203-BK is not a self-help form. DO NOT MAIL a blank SSA-8203-BK to a recipient for completion and return. However, if a recipient requests a blank form, do not refuse. Personal contact interview is still required.

The SSA-8202-F6 is completed by personal contact or mail. Mail is the preferred method. See exceptions in 5. below

If personal contact is necessary, telephone interviews are preferred whenever possible so the recipient does not have to take time off from work to come in for a face-to-face interview. See exceptions in SI 02305.031A.5.

In the following situations telephone and mail-out RZs are not completed. Personal contact face-to-face interviews are generally required.

1. a. 

   Representative payee suitability development (see SI 02305.123).

2. b. 

   Disability redeterminations (see DI 11070.001 and DI 25201.010).

3. c. 

   5B, 5H, K6, K7, U5, and/or S2 alert per SI 02310.042 is associated with a pending RZ or a CDR with a matured diary is on a pending RZ record.. See DI 13005.018 for an explanation of CDRs.

4. d. 

   A qualified alien with a 7-year time limit (see SI 02305.082).

5. e. 

   A personal contact interview is desirable when a dedicated account monitoring is performed (see GN 00605.200 through GN 00605.235).

Group RZ interviews are not allowed.

See SM 01501.003 for disposition codes which indicate the method of contact when making 1719B input. Capture the contact method in MSSICS on the PMEN screen (see MSOM MSSICS 004.008.)

If a combination of personal contact and mail is required to complete an RZ, use your discretion when selecting the most appropriate disposition code for 1719B input. There is no “mail” contact method in MSSICS.