We will attempt to reschedule the appointment twice. After two attempts, include the
following language in the appointment letter when scheduling the final (third) appointment:
“We have tried to schedule an appointment with you twice. Each time we rescheduled,
you were not available. It is very important that you keep this appointment. If you
do not keep this appointment, we may suspend your benefits until we speak with you.”
If the centenarian resides in a nursing home, call the nursing home before suspending
benefits to verify the centenarian is alive. If the nursing home alleges the centenarian
is alive, begin representative payee development, if necessary. If the nursing home
alleges the centenarian is deceased, see GN 02602.540 to process the report of death. If the centenarian or representative payee fails
to keep the third appointment, see the following instructions:
a. Sending an advance notice and suspending benefits
Take the following actions:
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1.
Send an advance notice to the centenarian and the representative payee, if any, informing
the centenarian of our planned action to suspend benefits. The advance notice must state the following:
-
-
•
reason why we plan to suspend benefits,
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•
evidence we used to make the determination, and
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•
give the centenarian 10 calendar days (plus 5 days for mailing) to respond before
we suspend the benefits.
Establish a diary for 15 calendar days. For more information about the required content
of advance notices in Title II cases, see GN 03001.015 and NL 00601.030.
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2.
Suspend the centenarian’s benefits after 15 calendar days (10 days plus 5 days for
mailing) from the date you mailed the advance notice and if you have not received
a response. Place the record into LAF S9 with a reason for suspension code of WHEREU.
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3.
After the MBR shows the LAF code as S9, update the LAF code in the “Centenarian Information”
section on the Centenarian
Project Website to show the centenarian’s benefits were suspended.
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4.
Send the centenarian a final notice that complies with the requirements applicable
to notices of initial determination regarding the suspension. For information about
the required contents of the final notice, see GN 03001.015 and 20 CFR 404.904.
b. Adding a message to the MBR and OIG Referral
If you suspend benefits pursuant to GN 02602.510B in this section, add the following message to the MBR:
“Centenarian interview needed. Payments suspended for failure to keep centenarian
interview appointments. Immediately remove suspense once centenarian interview is
conducted.”
If you suspend benefits for failure to keep the appointment, immediately refer the
case to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) using the Allegation Intake Referral System
(ARIS). Provide as much information as available in ARIS.