Effective Dates: 04/23/2026 - Present Previous | Next

TN 15 (04-26)

SI 02007.020 Follow ups and Controls on Continuing Title XVI Interim Benefits

Section 1631(a)(8) of the Social Security Act requires us to pay monthly Federal benefits prospectively if the Commissioner of Social Security (COSS) does not make a final decision within 110 calendar days after the date of a favorable administrative law judges (ALJ) disability or blindness decision. These interim benefits start with the month in which the 110th day falls, and end with the month in which we make a final decision.

A. No interim benefits start order

The notice to a claimant about the favorable ALJ decision and the Appeals Council (AC) decision to review or reopen the decision tells the claimant that we may be able to pay interim benefits effective with the month in which the 110th day falls. The claimant may contact the field office (FO) to inquire about interim benefits as early as the first of the month in which the 110th day falls.

If the FO has not received the email information sheet Potential Interim Benefit Case, request the information you need to initiate interim benefits by emailing ^DA Compliance 8001.

B. Final ALJ or AC decision not issued within nine months

Interim benefit payments require close management controls to prevent payment beyond the month of a final decision. Because of the sensitivity of this workload, follow the AC development guidelines in the chart in this section.

The following procedures apply when a case is pending an AC decision or was remanded to the ALJ for a decision.

If

then

The claimant is still in interim benefit payment status for nine months

FO staff will query eView to determine whether the case is pending with the AC or the Hearing Office (HO).

 

If the case is pending with the AC:

The FO will email ^DA Compliance 8001 and inquire about the status of the pending claim.

The AC will provide status.

As necessary, follow up in three months.

If the case is pending in an HO:

The FO will email the HO mailbox and inquire about the status of the pending claim.

 

The HO will provide status.

Contact the HO again in three months to follow up on the case.

The claimant is still in interim benefit payment status for 12 months

The FO will query eView to verify if the case is pending with the AC or the HO.

 

If the case is pending with the AC:

The FO will write an email indicating that interim benefit payments have continued for 12 months without a final decision and submit an official request to the AC to expedite processing. Include any special characteristics of the case. The FO will send the email to ^DA Compliance 8001 copy ^DA DICompliance Appeals Quality.

As necessary, follow up on the case in three months.

If the case is pending in an HO:

The FO manager will write an email indicating that interim benefit payments have continued for 12 months without a final decision. Include any special characteristics of the case. The FO manager will send the email to |||DA HQ DIGovernance and follow up on the case in three months.

The claimant is still in interim benefit payment status for 15 months

The FO will query eView to verify if the case is pending with the AC or the HO.

If the case is pending with the AC:

The FO will send an email with subject line URGENT-SECOND NOTIFICATION to ^DA DICompliance Appeals Quality and inquire about the status of the claim pending decision. The AC will provide status.

As necessary, follow up on the case in three months.

If the case is pending with the HO:

The FO will send an email with subject line URGENT-SECOND NOTIFICATION to |||DA HQ DIGovernance APP and inquire about the status of the pending claim. Adjudication Practices and Procedures (AAP) will provide status via email.

Follow up on the case in three months.

The claimant is still in interim benefit payment status after 15 months

The FO manager will forward the original email to the Executive Directors of Governance and Compliance at ^DA DIGovernance Controls (for HO cases) and ^DA DICompliance Controls (for AC cases). Inform the Executive Directors that interim benefit payments have continued for more than 16 months without a final decision. Include any previous correspondence with the AC or OHO (if available) or special characteristics of the case.

Await a reply from the appropriate Executive Director or designee.

C. Related references

  • •

    SI 02007.001 Interim Benefits in Cases of Delayed Final Decisions-SSI

  • •

    SI 02007.015 Nondisability Notices for Interim Benefits - SSI

  • •

    DI 42010.225 Follow-ups and Controls on Continuing Title II Interim Benefits

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0502007020
SI 02007.020 - Follow ups and Controls on Continuing Title XVI Interim Benefits - 04/23/2026
Batch run: 04/23/2026
Rev:04/23/2026