Due to the time that has elapsed, SSA is unlikely to receive benefit claims and requests for months before July 1968, when Treasury regulations and SSA restrictions prevented us from making payments to persons in Georgia. Treasury removed its restrictions on payments to Georgia in June 1968, when it was part of the Soviet Union.

NOTE: If you receive a case involving potential underpayment eligibility for months before July 1968, you must refer it to the Office of Earnings and International Operations (OEIO), Division of Training and Program Support (DTPS). DTPS will collaborate with the Office of Income Security Programs (OISP) for instructions on the individual case. Eligibility for payment under the ANP was different before July 1968. See subsection D of this section for information on determining eligibility for payment under the ANP.

Citizens of Georgia do not meet an exception to the ANP based on citizenship. (See RS 02650.160.D of this section for additional information about Georgian citizens under the ANP.)

However, we can pay benefits for months after June 1968 for:

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  the first 6 calendar months the beneficiary was outside the United States; and

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  months after June 1968 if the beneficiary meets another exception to the ANP not based on Georgian citizenship. For information on exceptions to the ANP, see RS 02610.010.

NOTE: Beneficiaries entitled as survivors or dependents may have to meet a 5-year U.S. residence requirement as explained in 5 Year Residency Requirement for Alien Dependents/Survivors Outside the United States, RS 02610.025.

We approved beneficiaries currently receiving benefits in Georgia under the restricted conditions for payment in RS 02650.040. These beneficiaries were eligible to receive their payments while in Georgia if they reported to the FSP every 3 months and showed proof of identity and citizenship. We asked the FSP to contact these beneficiaries and take the following actions:

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  verify their continued existence and eligibility for benefits;

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  notify them of the removal of SSA restrictions and special payment conditions in Georgia;

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  verify their current mailing and residence addresses; and

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  have a face-to-face contact with any beneficiary who did not report to the FSP under the special payment procedure within the past three months, and verify identity and citizenship.

The FSP documents the beneficiary contacts, notifications, and current information on Form SSA-5002 (Report of Contact). The FSP sends the completed SSA-5002 along with any documentation to the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Rome. The FBU scans the SSA-5002 and any documentation into Evidence Portal (EP). The FBU forwards the material via paperless to the Division of International Operations (DIO).

We require a face-to-face contact to determine eligibility for benefits we withheld from beneficiaries in Georgia due to the restrictions. We asked the FSP to contact each of these beneficiaries, including those requiring a representative payee. For a new payee appointment, we require the completion of Form SSA-11 (Request to be Selected as Payee). SSA resolves other payee issues using current rep payee procedures.

These cases require the following actions.

1. 1. 

   Beneficiary notification and contact

   The FSP notifies the suspended beneficiaries of the removal of restrictions and the need to determine payment eligibility. The FSP also obtains current address and residence information. The FSP documents all of these actions on a Form SSA-5002.

2. 2. 

   Eligibility documentation and required forms

   A suspended beneficiary requires a face-to-face interview to determine eligibility for payment. Before we can pay benefits, the beneficiary must establish:

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     their identity with a representative of the FSP;

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     that no termination or deduction events have occurred during the retroactive period; and

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     their eligibility to receive current benefits.

     The beneficiary or representative payee should complete and sign the following forms.

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     Form SSA-21 (Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States); and

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     Form SSA-7162-OCR-SM (Report to United States Social Security Administration) or Form SSA-7161-OCR-SM (Report to United States Social Security Administration by Person Receiving Benefits for a Child or Incapable Adult).

NOTE: Be sure to obtain information to document eligibility for the entire retroactive period and not just for the period specified in the forms. Put the additional information on a Form SSA-795 (Statement Of Claimant Or Other Person).

The FSP sends all completed forms and documentation to the FBU in Rome. The FBU scans these completed forms and documentation into EP and sends them via paperless to DIO.

The FSP documents all unsuccessful attempts to contact a beneficiary on the Form SSA-5002. The FSP sends the SSA-5002 and any additional documentation showing attempts to locate or contact the beneficiary to the FBU. The FBU scans the SSA-5002 and any additional documentation into EP and forwards the material via paperless to DIO.

The FSP documents a report of death on the Form SSA-5002, and develops for proof of death.