Effective Dates: 08/20/2018 - Present Previous | Next

TN 1 (10-00)

VB 00901.015 Jurisdiction and Routing for Special Veterans Benefits Claims - Procedure

A. Introduction

Both the servicing field office and the central processing site have a collaborative responsibility for the efficient handling of SVB claims.

B. Process - Jurisdiction

1. Servicing Field Office

a. General

The servicing field office maintains jurisdiction of SVB claims filed in the U.S. until receipt of proof of foreign residency. At the point of receipt of proof of foreign residency, the field office transfers the file to the designated CPS which assumes jurisdiction.

If development is still pending i.e., proof of military service, income proof, etc., when the claimant establishes proof of foreign residency, transfer the claims file to the appropriate CPS for further action. The field office should alert the CPS by annotating the “Remarks” section of the Title VIII flag at VB 00901.025, Exhibit 3 of any outstanding development. The CPS will control for the outstanding development.

b. Proof of Foreign Residence

If proof of foreign residency is not received by the end of the 4-month period described in VB 00101.005, the servicing field office must deny the claim and issue the denial notice (see VB 05001.017). The servicing field office will continue to hold the claim in its office pending possible receipt of an appeal. The FO should annotate the Intranet site according to the Intranet site instructions issued.

c. Request for Reconsideration - Claimant Outside the U.S.

A request for reconsideration filed by a claimant outside the U.S. is routed as follows:

  • •

    If the claim was denied in the FO, send the reconsideration request to that FO. The FO should send the claims file along with the reconsideration request to the CPS for processing.

  • •

    If the claim was denied in the Central Processing Site, send the reconsideration request to that site.

  • •

    If there is a reconsideration request filed on a PE issue, the claims file should already be in a CPS and the request should be sent there for necessary action.

d. Request for Recondsideration - Claimant in the U.S.

A request for reconsideration filed by a claimant who is in the U.S. is routed as follows:

  • •

    If the claimant's folder is being maintained by the servicing FO, send the reconsideration request, including requests for reconsideration of an SSI denial, to the servicing FO for processing.

  • •

    If the claimant's folder is being maintained by the CPS, send the reconsideration request to the CPS for processing.

2. Central Processsing Sites

The Central Processing Sites have jurisdiction of SVB claims filed outside the U.S., including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They also maintain jurisdiction of all SVB claims transferred from servicing field offices. If a CPS needs assistance in developing evidence from an FBU, see GN 00904.230 and VB 00210.001C.

C. Process - Routing

1. Servicing Field Office

The servicing field office transfers jurisdiction of the claims file to CPS upon receipt of evidence of foreign residency or an appeals request from a foreign resident. The FO should use the case flag shown at Exhibit 3 in VB 00901.025 to route case file to CPS.

The case flag may also be used for mailing initial applications taken by the FBU. The FBU may want to alert the CPS by either a phone call, e-mail, or an administrative message of any materials being sent.

2. FBU

The FBU routes evidence to the servicing field office or CPS as appropriate. Any applications taken by the FBU should be sent to CPS.

3. Obtaining Information on Routing

FBUs especially may wish to access the SSA Internet site for determining the servicing field office if the claimant does not provide his qualification notice when furnishing proof of foreign residency or other evidence. When on the SSA Homepage, go to “About the SSA” and click on “How to Reach Social Security”. Follow the online instructions for locating the servicing field office. You may wish to store this site under “Favorites” for future reference.

If you have Intranet access, you may wish to use the site “Special Veterans Benefits” or SF NET home page to retrieve claims information in addition to servicing field office and Central Processing Site data.

The chart in VB 00901.025 also provides information on Central Processing Sites and may be used.

There is also information regarding servicing field offices and Central Processing Sites in the Exhibits located in VB 00901.025.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/1400901015
VB 00901.015 - Jurisdiction and Routing for Special Veterans Benefits Claims - Procedure - 08/20/2018
Batch run: 08/20/2018
Rev:08/20/2018