TN 29 (10-23)

RM 03870.012 Request for Earnings Record Correction Under Item Correction

A. Policy

Do not establish the case under IC if any of the limits on developing an ER issue exist as found in RM 03870.006A.1.

B. Procedure

Enter the information gathered on the appropriate IC screens.

1. Wages

The following screens are some which will be used to establish control of an individual's request for correction of their ER in IC for wages, to document development and the basis for the decision.

  1. a. 

    Enter identifying information from the NH, names used, all SSNs used, current address, telephone number, etc., on the Number Holder Identification (EIDN) screen. (MSOM EM 011.002)

  2. b. 

    Enter on the Report of Contact (EROC) screen (MSOM EM 017.001) if the NH does not authorize disclosure of their name to the employer(s) involved because of fear of reprisal, etc., from the employer.

    SSA is not required by law to obtain the NH's permission to disclose their name to the employer to resolve the earnings issue; however, in some instances the NH may request SSA not disclose their name or contact the employer.

  3. c. 

    Enter on the Worksheet Remarks (ERMK) screen (MSOM EM 017.005), the periods of employment in question. Account for any periods of unemployment due to layoffs, vacations, illnesses, etc. Omit any lag period employment. If exact dates are not known, show “about” before date alleged. (See RS 01404.005 through RS 01404.018 for development of unreported lag earnings.)

    If pertinent to the development, include a brief description of the type of employment.

  4. d. 

    If using secondary evidence to establish earnings or an explanation is required or needed concerning the primary evidence submitted, complete the Select Detail Rationale (ERAT) screen to document the determination, why primary evidence was unavailable, etc. (MSOM EM 026.001)

2. Self-employment

The following screens are some which should be used in establishing control, documenting the development taken and the basis for decision reached in resolving self-employment earnings issues.

  1. a. 

    Use the Number Holder Identification (EIDN) screen as in RM 03870.012B.1.a. in this section to record the NH's name(s), SSN, etc.

  2. b. 

    Enter information concerning the NH's business such as name, address, nature of business, etc., on the SE Business Development (ESEM) screen (MSOM EM 017.008).

  3. c. 

    Enter on the Worksheet Remarks (ERMK) screen (MSOM EM 017.005) and/or the Report of Contact (EROC) screen information such as whether the NH filed an income tax return, any statements made by the NH (or other individual) etc.

  4. d. 

    Use the Select Detail Rationale (ERAT) screen to provide the rationale for the basis for the earnings determination. (MSOM EM 026.001)

3. No Numident/SSN Match

IC verifies the data received from the EIDN screen (or Third Party Identification (ETHD) screen) to match and validate the name and SSN with the Numident information.

When IC indicates that the Numident does not match the information entered on the EIDN screen, obtain a properly completed SS-5 as well as the necessary evidence. (RM 10201.050)


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0103870012
RM 03870.012 - Request for Earnings Record Correction Under Item Correction - 10/13/2023
Batch run: 10/13/2023
Rev:10/13/2023