The “HI freeze” is considered during adjudication in those rare situations in which,
for lack of insured status, R-HI might have to be denied an otherwise eligible claimant
with a previous period of R-HI entitlement.
The HI freeze begins with the quarter in which a regular course of dialysis began
and insured status was met, and continues through the last quarter of entitlement
to R-HI.
If entitlement was based on transplant, the “HI freeze” begins with the quarter in
which the transplant occurred and insured status was met, or with as many as two months
earlier than that if “early entitlement” based on transplant is involved.
For R-HI purposes only, any quarter, part or all of which fall in this period, is
not counted in determining currently insured status, but any QCs earned during this
period are credited to currently (or fully) insured status.
Furthermore, any year, part or all of which falls in this period, is not counted in
determining the number of elapsed years for fully insured status purposes, although
QCs earned are counted.
NOTE: The “HI freeze” applies to the earnings record of the R-HI beneficiary only. It does
not apply to the earnings record of the spouse or parent.