TN 1 (10-20)

DI 40120.001 Collateral Estoppel and Jurisdiction of Subsequent Title II Claims in the Processing Service Center (PSC)

A. Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB), Disabled Widow(er) Benefits (DWB), and Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) claims when disability previously established and not terminated

1. Processing

When an individual currently entitled to disability benefits files a subsequent application for DIB, DWB, or CDB, collateral estoppel potentially applies. For more information on identifying and flagging claims when collateral estoppel potentially applies, see DI 11011.001.

When the PSC receives a subsequent title II application from a claimant already receiving disability benefits under another title or record, the Disability Examiner/Disability Processing Specialist (DE/DPS) reviews the new claim, and when collateral estoppel applies, adopts the prior favorable determination or decision. The DE/DPS prepares the SSA-831, and forwards the claim to the Claims Authorizer. The PSC processes the subsequent claim to completion, effectuating payment and releasing the notice.

2. Routing

Transfer claims (except Railroad annuitant cases) that require additional development for onset of disability or continuance of disability to the Disability Determination Services (DDS). Request the DDS prepare an initial determination on the subsequent claim, and if there is a raised continuing disability review (CDR) issue, a CDR determination on the current entitlement.

For subsequent claims with work activity after the most recent determination or decision, transfer the claim (including any prior paper folders) to the servicing FO with instructions to document work activity before transferring the claims meeting technical requirements to the DDS.

The DDS also has jurisdiction of DIB, DWB, or CDB claims for an individual who is a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability/blindness recipient. For more information on jurisdiction of subsequent claims, see DI 20101.001.

When the claim involves an issue pending under appeal, see DI 12045.010 and DI 20101.025.

B. Rules for applying collateral estoppel

The DE/DPS will review the most recent prior favorable determination or decision based on meeting or equaling a listing or medical-vocational rules to determine whether collateral estoppel applies for a fully favorable determination. The DE/DPS must be familiar with the following POMS instructions before determining whether to apply collateral estoppel:

  • DI 11010.085 Multiple Type Title II Claims

  • DI 11015.001 Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits (DWB) General

  • DI 26510.001 Completing Form SSA-831 (Disability Determination and Transmittal)

  • DI 27515.001 Collateral Estoppel - Policy

  • DI 27515.005 Changes to the Listing of Impairments and Collateral Estoppel

  • DI 27515.010 Changed Vocational Profile and Collateral Estoppel

  • DI 27515.015 Association of the Prior Paper Folder in Collateral Estoppel Claims

  • DI 27515.020 Special Situations in Potential Collateral Estoppel Claims

  • DI 27515.035 Different Determinations or Decisions for the Same Period in Separate Claims

  • DI 27515.050 Continuing Disability Review (CDR) Issues in Collateral Estoppel Claims

  • DI 27515.055 Work Incentive Status and Collateral Estoppel Claims


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0440120001
DI 40120.001 - Collateral Estoppel and Jurisdiction of Subsequent Title II Claims in the Processing Service Center (PSC) - 11/29/2011
Batch run: 10/08/2020
Rev:11/29/2011