Effective Dates: 06/12/2023 - Present Previous | Next

TN 4 (06-23)

DI 29005.027 Whereabouts Unknown (WU) Occurs at the Pre-Hearing (PH) Level

Citations: 20 CFR 404.914 and 20 CFR 416.1414

This section addresses proper handling of WU at the PH level.

A. Definition of WU

Whereabouts unknown status exists when the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the disability determination services (DDS) cannot locate an individual at the last known address and after completing all required actions to locate the beneficiary (or recipient).

B. Policy for WU at the PH level

WU may be a Group II exception and considered a reason to find disability has ended without determining the ability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) for adults or determining that the impairment no longer causes marked and severe functional limitations for children.

When an individual timely requests reconsideration of an initial or revised medical cessation determination, they have the regulatory right to appear at a disability hearing unless they waive the right to appear.

When a WU issue arises, do not return the claim to the field office (FO) as a no determination (ND). The PH examiner must complete the actions outlined in section C. below when WU arises, such as upon receipt of returned mail.

NOTE: 

Process a continuation if the PH examiner is able to make a fully favorable determination with the evidence in the claim(s) folder.

C. Procedure for WU at the PH level

1. Required development for WU at the PH

If the evidence in the claim(s) folder is sufficient to support a fully favorable determination, do not send the case to the disability hearing unit (DHU). The PH examiner will follow instructions in DI 29005.005C.

If the evidence in the claim(s) folder is not sufficient to support a fully favorable determination, the PH examiner must complete the following:

  1. a. 

    Complete all development not requiring the beneficiary's (or recipient's) cooperation;

  2. b. 

    Attempt at least one phone contact with the beneficiary (or recipient) and all other authorized persons, e.g., representative payee, authorized third party, and appointed representative;

  3. c. 

    Immediately request FO assistance if phone attempts are unsuccessful in locating the beneficiary (or recipient). The PH examiner must allow ten days, after the assistance request is sent, for the FO's response; AND

  4. d. 

    Document all actions to locate the beneficiary (or recipient) on an SSA-5002 Report of Contact or in the claim(s) folder.

NOTE: 

Resume normal case processing if the beneficiary (or recipient) is located at any point of development.

2. Completing the forms if WU development is unsuccessful

If the evidence in the claim(s) folder is not sufficient to support a fully favorable determination, the PH examiner will follow instructions in DI 29025.001.

NOTE: 

Do not return the case to the FO as a ND. Forward all adverse PH determinations to the DHU for a disability hearing.

D. Procedure for WU at the DHU

1. WU occurs at the DHU level

When a WU issue arises at the DHU level, the disability hearing officer (DHO) is required to follow instructions in DI 33015.033.

2. WU occurs at the PH level and exists at time of receipt in the DHU

When a WU issue arises at the PH level and is not resolved before the case is sent to the DHU, the DHO is not required to duplicate attempts of the following actions:

  1. a. 

    Development not requiring the beneficiary's (or recipient's) cooperation if the case file documents that development was completed at the PH level.

  2. b. 

    Requesting FO assistance to locate the beneficiary (or recipient) if the case file documents the request was completed at the PH level.

NOTE: 

The DHO must follow all other instructions in DI 33015.033, even if completed at the PH level.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0429005027
DI 29005.027 - Whereabouts Unknown (WU) Occurs at the Pre-Hearing (PH) Level - 06/12/2023
Batch run: 06/12/2023
Rev:06/12/2023