The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-445), effective January 1, 1975, required the Social Security Administration (SSA) to certify certain Retirement, Survivors, Disability Insurance (RSDI) payment claims to the RRB rather than to Treasury. For purposes of these instructions, “certification to RRB” means SSA certifies to the RRB for payment of the benefit amount to which the claimant is entitled under the Social Security Act. For details, see RS 01601.200, Highlights of the Railroad Retirement Act.

RRB determines the total benefit amount under the combined provisions of the Social Security and Railroad Acts and certifies the amount to Treasury for payment. Since SSA does not certify these payments to Treasury, follow the instructions in this section to coordinate inquires received from individuals reporting RRB nonreceipt of payment.

If a beneficiary reports nonreceipt of an initial payment, confirm RRB certification data and its proper transmission. Check the MBR BENEFIT data line for Railroad Indicator Codes (RRIC) of “R.” If present, RRB has certification responsibility. If the field is blank, SSA is responsible for payment. A LAF code of 'E' in these cases indicates SSA has requested RRB to establish current pay status; however, all other LAF codes remain the same (e.g., work suspension with LAF S2). See SM 00510.175 for additional information.

If you receive a nonreceipt of payment input alert 'RAILROAD CASE' or you determine from the claimant interview the involvement of RRB benefit certification and the beneficiary previously reported a reinstatement event, examine the MBR. If the MBR reflects:

1. 1. 

   Nonreceipt for known reasons (e.g., work suspension with LAF S2), and

2. 2. 

   Indicates these benefits should resume, then

3. 3. 

   Send an MDW referral to the PC.

NOTE: If nonreceipt of payment exclusion exists, see GN 02406.175. The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) opinion prevents RRB from making determinations with SSA post-adjudicative issues.

Review the accuracy of the MBR’s current payment status during beneficiary contact, and identify the following information:

• •

  Beneficiary reports nonreceipt of monthly payment,

• •

  Status of a monthly check normally due,

• •

  Nonreceipt payment input alerts of 'RAILROAD CASE,' and

• •

  Involvement of Railroad Retirement Board certification benefits.

If the MBR reflects current RRB payment (LAF E), advise the claimant to contact the RRB. Assist the claimant in directing the inquiry as outlined in GN 02406.805B.1. in this section. Inform the beneficiary that RRB will take any further action

When you receive a congressional inquiry, handle it under current procedures subject to the following exceptions:

The PC contacts RRB if the beneficiary alleges dire need or the FO identifies a public relations problem meeting the critical case criteria in RS 02809.015. RRB has agreed to process critical cases within 7 to 10 working days after notification by SSA. GN 02406.810 outlines procedures for handling RRB nonreceipt inquiries in the PC.

The PC provides updates to the FO of actions taken throughout the process. If the case meets the critical definition, the FO must first contact the PC as outlined in RS 02809.001.