If the reconsideration decision affirms the original decision, the period of nonpayment
or ineligibility begins on the first day of the second month following the month we
notify the person of our reconsideration determination and ends on the last day of
the final month of the sanction. However, the sanction period cannot begin before
the start date in the original notice. For example, if we issue a notice of our reconsideration
decision on 08/31, a 6-month period of nonpayment or ineligibility begins on 10/01
and ends on 03/31 of the following year. The “Decision Affirmed” date is shown in
the AS Tool.
NOTE: If the person is not currently entitled or eligible for either Title II or Title
XVI benefits when we impose sanctions, we defer the sanction period until they are
entitled or eligible to some payment under either Title II or Title XVI.
For more instructions on deferring sanctions, see instructions in GN 02604.435C in this section.
REMINDER: A new sanction period cannot begin before an existing period ends.
After reconsideration, the sanction period begins regardless of whether the person
appeals the reconsideration decision.
When preparing the explanation of the decision within the reconsideration notice,
include the dates of the new sanction period using the UTI labeled “PEN035” (Admin.
Sanctions Recon Det-bene/rcpt on SSA rolls). For a deferred sanction period, use the
UTI labeled “PEN034” (Admin. Sanctions Recon Det - deferred sanction). Update the
Administrative Sanctions Tool with the determination.