The settlement was designed to limit development whenever possible to a period that
begins 48 months prior to the date SSA receives a request for review. However, it
may be necessary to develop an earlier period, a later period, or to develop all the
way back to the alleged onset (or the month of cessation) in the earliest title II
Stieberger claim or the date of filing (or date of cessation) in the earliest title XVI Stieberger claim. The FO will calculate the basic 48-month DEVELOPMENT PERIOD and advise the
DDS. The DDS will make the determination as to the need to develop all the way back
to the alleged onset in the earliest title II Stieberger claim, or the date of filing in the earliest title XVI Stieberger claim.
See DI 32586.035 for a description of how the FO computes the basic DEVELOPMENT PERIOD.
While the PAYMENT PERIOD also may be limited, it may start earlier than the DEVELOPMENT
PERIOD. (See DI 32586.045 and DI 32586.050 for a description of how the FO computes the PAYMENT PERIOD).
The FO will compute the DEVELOPMENT and PAYMENT PERIODs prior to sending a Stieberger case to the DDS. DEVELOPMENT and PAYMENT PERIOD information will be shown on the
DEVELOPMENT/PAYMENT PERIOD Worksheet (Exhibit 3, DI 32586.095) which will be prong filed on the right side of the DIB jacket, just below the SSA-831-U3.