Effective Dates: 04/28/2025 - Present Previous | Next

TN 85 (04-25)

DI 81010.031 Multiple Pending Cases (MPC) in the Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS)

A. Multiple pending cases (MPC)

MPCs exist when both an initial claim and a continuing disability review (CDR) or Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) Classification case are pending for the same individual at the same time. An example of an MPC includes a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) CDR with an initial claim for Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) or a Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB) CDR with an initial claim for SSI.

EDCS can process initial, reconsideration, and hearings level MPCs at the same adjudicative level as well as MPC scenarios listed in subsection D.  For MPCs that cannot be processed in EDCS, refer to DI 81010.030D.

B. Procedures for processing MPC in EDCS and eView

Technicians establish both a CDR (or EXR) case and an initial claim case separately in EDCS. The cases may be created in any order.

1. Case Creation

The first step in processing an MPC is to establish the case in EDCS by completing the following:

  1. a. 

    Create in EDCS the first case following existing instructions for initial claims, age 18 redeterminations, CDRs, or EXRs

  2. b. 

    Complete all fields of the SSA-3367, SSA-3368, or SSA-454 for the first case in EDCS. If an i3368 or i454 is present, this data propagates to EDCS.

  3. c. 

    Exit the first case and return to the EDCS “Disability Case Selection” screen.  

  4. d. 

    Select “Create Case” and create the second case in EDCS following existing instructions for initial claims, age 18 redeterminations, CDRs, or EXRs. 

    NOTE: Upon creating the second case, EDCS will copy over data from the first. If the forms in the first case were completed, this will prevent the need to retype much of the information. However, there are some fields that are unique to the SSA-3368 or the SSA-454 that cannot be copied over. In addition, EDCS will not copy any changes made after the creation of the second case. Once both cases are established, technicians need to make subsequent changes to each claim manually

  5. e. 

    The ‘Confirm Case Creation’ page will display the following message, “You are connecting two cases for this claimant. Data will be copied from the first case into this one. Are you sure you want to continue?” Select “Create Case” to continue.

    MPC1_CaseCreation

    The cases will now be connected as an MPCs and will contain the following MPC indicators: 

    • •

      'MPC: Y' and an 'Open Connected MPC' hypertext link displays at the top of each EDCS page for each connected case. Selecting the link will take you directly to the EDCS pages of the connected case.

      MPC2_MPCIndicators

    • •

      The ‘Disability Case Selection’ page will display a ‘Y’ in the ‘MPC’ column next to each case. The ‘MPC’ column does not display if an MPC does not exist.

      MPC3_MPCColumn

  6. f. 

    Complete all remaining fields of the SSA-3367, SSA-3368, or SSA-454 for the second case in EDCS. Any fields that did not copy over from the first case need to be completed. 

  7. g. 

    Obtain the SSA-827s for each case per DI 11005.057. The SSA-827s are not copied over. To avoid unnecessary delays or follow-ups from the Disability Determination Services (DDS), ensure an SSA-827 is in each case prior to transfer. See MSS25-029 EDCS.

2. Case transfer

Take the following actions to transfer the MPC:

  1. a. 

    Transfer each case to the DDS separately.

    • •

      For the CDR/EXR case, transfer the CDR or EXR in the Disability Control File (DCF).

    • •

      For processing Title II collateral estoppel claims with DDS jurisdiction for possible earlier established onset date (EOD) determination see DI 11011.001F.

  2. b. 

    The deciding component (DDS or Office of Hearing Operations(OHO)) will make separate determinations for each case.

  3. c. 

    EDCS Actions such as Assistance Requests, Assistance Request Follow-Ups, and Action Items will be sent for each case separately. The Expedited (EXP) column on the EDCS Actions page will display an ‘M’ for Multiple Pending Cases to indicate that the case is part of an MPC.

    NOTE: If a change of address or other action applies to both cases, update each case separately.

    MPC4_EXPColumn

3. eView

Technicians will identify MPCs in eView with the following indicators:

  1. a. 

    On the Disability Folder Selection screen, a new column titled MPC will display a ‘Y’ next to each MPC. The ‘MPC’ column does not display if there are no MPCs.

  2. b. 

    While viewing an MPC case in eView, an ‘MPC: Y’ will be displayed at the top of the case to show that it is an MPC.

  3. c. 

    Documents from both cases will be viewable in the Case Documents tab, regardless of which case you are viewing in eView. Documents that are from the connected folder will be identified as MPC. For example, if you are viewing the initial claim in eView, you also see the CDR documents, marked with MPC to indicate they are from the connected folder.

    MPC5_eVIEW

4. Case actions

The following case action updates apply to MPC:

  1. a. 

    Flags and Messages: A flag or message added, modified, or deleted for one case (before or after transfer to the DDS) will automatically copy to the connected case.

    EXCEPTION: The ‘Appointed Representative’ flag will not copy automatically because the appointed representative is case specific and may not apply to both cases, see GN 03910.040B.3. The technician should review the SSA-1696 and add the flag as necessary.

  2. b. 

    EDCS removes the MPC connection if one or both cases are manually cleared, deleted, or processed via an FO Determination before either case has been transferred to DDS.

  3. c. 

    EDCS retains the MPC connection if one or both cases are manually cleared or processed via an FO Determination after at least one case has been transferred to the DDS.

C. Procedure for MPC appeals

MPC appeals will function the same as initial level cases processed as MPCs. Each appeal must be created separately. It is a best practice to create the appeal on the initial claim first, so that any existing i3441 data can be pulled in and copied to the other case. 

  1. 1. 

    It is possible that the claimant only appeals one of the MPC cases. For instance, if the CDR decision was a continuance but the initial claim was a denial, the claimant may wish to file an appeal on only the initial claim. In this case, create only the applicable appeal in EDCS. The appeal will no longer be an MPC and the 'Disability Case Selection' page will not contain the MPC indicators in the MPC column.

    MPC6_Appeals
  2. 2. 

    If an appeal is created on both cases then at case creation of the second case, the appeal will be an MPC and will contain the same MPC indicators as the initial level case.

    MPC7_AppealIndicators

  3. 3. 

    Data entered in the SSA-3441 for the first case will copy over to the second case as long as the SSA-3441 is completed before the second case is created.

    EXCEPTION: The ‘About You’ section and the ‘Person Completing the Report’ do not copy

    NOTE: Data is copied from the first case to the second case only when the second case is created. Any changes made after the creation of the second case will need to be added manually to both cases.

D. Additional MPC scenarios processed in EDCS

The FO Technician can establish MPC for the following additional scenarios in EDCS:

  • •

    A CDR Appeals Council (AC) or Federal Court (FC) level case, if a non-CDR case exists at the Initial (IN), Reconsideration (RC), or Hearing (HR) level;

  • •

    A non-CDR case at the IN, RC, or HR level, if a pending CDR case exists at the AC or FC level;

  • •

    A non-CDR case at the AC or FC level case, if a pending CDR case exists at the IN, RC, or HR level;

  • •

    CDR case for the IN, RC, or HR levels if a non-CDR case exists at the AC or FC level.

E. References

  • •

    DI 81010.030 Certified Electronic Folder (CEF) Exclusions and Limitations

  • •

    DI 11005.057 Field Office Instructions for Obtaining Form SSA-827

  • •

    DI 81010.232 Creating a Record for an Age 18 Disability Redetermination in the Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS)

  • •

    DI 11011.001 Applying Collateral Estoppel in Disability Claims

  • •

    DI 12045.010 Processing Disability Claims at Different Levels of Appeal, Title II and Title XVI - Common Issue Cases

  • •

    DI 12045.015 Claims Under Different Titles – Common Issue at the ALJ Hearing Level

  • •

    GN 03910.040 Appointment of a Representative

  • •

    MSS25-029 EDCS

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0481010031
DI 81010.031 - Multiple Pending Cases (MPC) in the Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) - 04/28/2025
Batch run: 04/28/2025
Rev:04/28/2025