Effective Dates: 11/02/2006 - Present Previous | Next

TN 54 (11-06)

SI 02305.036 Special Notices to Recipients - RZs

A. Policy - Blind Recipients

All blind SSI claimants and recipients may choose how they receive notices of any determination or other action taken or proposed that can affect their SSI benefits (see NL 01001.010). They may choose to receive:

  • •

    A supplementary telephone call within 5 working days after the notice is mailed; or

  • •

    certified mail; or

  • •

    regular mail.

B. Policy - Offering Notices in Spanish

In compliance with the case of Cruz v. Califano (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Pennsylvania (2/79)), Spanish language notices will be provided to those who meet certain criteria and choose to receive Spanish notices or those who request Spanish language notices. (See NL 00801.025.)

C. Procedure

1. Personal Contact Interviews - Blind Recipients

Following are the procedures to use with blind individuals.

  1. a. 

    Explain that while the Agency is currently unable to offer Braille notices, the Agency is establishing a database of persons who would like to receive Braille notices.

  2. b. 

    Offer the options listed in SI 02305.036A.

  3. c. 

    If the individual prefers to receive notices in Braille (when the Agency is able to provide these notices):

    • •

      Record the preference by posting a code of “4” in the “MAIL CHOICE” field on ADDR in MSSICS.

    • •

      Record the individual's second preference in the Remarks Screen (CRMK) in MSSICS.

      NOTE: The notification preference can also be input using a 1719B.

  4. d. 

    In a non-MSSICS case, document the file per NL 01001.010 (non-MSSICS case).

  5. e. 

    In MSSICS cases, document the choice on the ADDR screen per MSOM MSSICS 008.005 and NL 01001.010.

2. Personal Contact Interviews - Foreign Language Preference

Record the recipient's choice in the Foreign Language notice (LPW) field of the SSR. You can use a SSA-1719B input per SM 01005.545 and NL 00801.025B.2.a using the FV field. In MSSICS cases use the Client Language (CLLG) screen. In non-MSSICS cases, complete the FV field on the SSA-1719b (see SM 01005.545 and NL 00801.025B.2.a.).

3. Personal Contact Interviews - Recipients with Spanish Surnames

Following are the procedures to use with recipients who have Spanish surnames.

  • •

    Explain and offer the options in SI 02305.036B.

  • •

    Document the file per NL 00801.025 if the recipient makes the choice during a RZ completed on paper forms. In MSSICS, document the choice on the CLLG screen per MSOM ICD 002.004.

  • •

    Record the recipient's preference on the CLLG for MSSICS cases or via the FV field for non-MSSICS cases.

4. Personal Contact Interviews - Other Foreign Languages

Following are the procedures to use with recipients who would like to communicate with SSA in languages other than English or Spanish.

  • •

    Document the file per NL 00801.025 if the recipient makes the choice during a RZ completed on paper forms. In MSSICS, document the choice on the CLLG screen per MSOM ICD 002.004.

  • •

    Record the recipient's preference on the CLLG for MSSICS cases or via the FV field for non-MSSICS cases.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0502305036
SI 02305.036 - Special Notices to Recipients - RZs - 11/02/2006
Batch run: 02/21/2025
Rev:11/02/2006