TN 69 (04-26)

GN 00210.020 Processing Instructions for Title II Same-Sex Relationship Claims, Reconsiderations, and Hearing Requests

The instructions in this section apply to awards and disallowances for claims and appeals involving same-sex marriages and non-marital legal relationships (NMLRs).

To determine claimant eligibility for benefits based on a same-sex marriage or NMLR, refer to GN 00210.000.

A. Processing Title II claims involving the determination of a same-sex marital relationship or NMLR

Develop all initial claim applications, appeals, and post-eligibility actions in MCS.

Enter the code on the development worksheet (DW01) that corresponds to the type of same-sex relationship alleged by the claimant at the time of application.

Enter the first four positions of the unit type code as listed:

  • Marriage (including common law), enter code 626M

  • Civil union, enter code 626C

  • Domestic partnership, enter code 626D

  • Reciprocal beneficiary, enter code 626R

  • Other same-sex relationship, enter code 626O

Document all pertinent information regarding the claim on the Report of Contact (RPOC) screen.

Add Listing Code 626 on the Decision Input (DECI) screen.

IMPORTANT: Retain the unit code, regardless of the determination or changes made in the adjudicative level of the case.

B. Processing a reconsideration or hearing request

Load the reconsideration or hearing request in MCS.

Enter the code on the DW01 that corresponds to the type of same-sex relationship alleged by the claimant at the time of application.

Enter the first four positions of the unit type code as listed:

  • Marriage (including common law marriage), enter code 626M

  • Civil union, enter code 626C

  • Domestic partnership, enter code 626D

  • Reciprocal beneficiary, enter code 626R

  • Other same-sex relationship, enter code 626O

Add the unit code as an “Issue” on the DW01 screen and enter “See RPOC” on the “Remarks” line.

Enter the following information on the Report of Contact (RPOC) screen:

  • Pertinent information about the reconsideration

  • POMS references used to make the prior determination

Fax newly associated proofs into the Non-Disability Repository for Evidentiary Documents (NDRED) and the Evidence (EVID) screen in Shared Processes.

IMPORTANT: Retain the unit code, regardless of the determination or changes made in the adjudicative level of the case.

C. References

  • GN 00210.000 Same-Sex Relationship Claims

  • GN 01010.028 Processing center (PC) adjudicative responsibilities

  • GN 01070.228 Modes of Requesting Assistance

  • GN 03102.425 Reconsideration Notices of Determination

  • GN 00204.007 Application Filing Date

  • NL 00601.020 Disallowance Notices

  • NL 00725.005 Modernized Claims Systems (MCS) Universal Text Identifiers (UTIs)

  • RS 00207.020 Health Insurance (HI) for Disabled Widow(er)s

  • SM 00380.110 Complete Disallowance Notice

  • SM 00380.508 Entering an Initial Disallowance

  • SM 00850.000 HI/SMI Coding in MADCAP - Table of Contents

  • SM 00380.040 Non-Disability Disallowance, Abatement and Withdrawal Codes — Exhibit

  • MS 03514.011 HI Data (HIDA)

  • MS 03514.012 HI Third Party Data (HITP)

  • MS 03514.013 HI Premium/Reduction (HIPR)

  • MS 03514.014 SMI Data (SMID)

  • MS 03514.015 SMI Third Party Data (SMTP)

  • MS 03514.016 SMI Premium History/Variable SMI (SMPR)


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200210020
GN 00210.020 - Processing Instructions for Title II Same-Sex Relationship Claims, Reconsiderations, and Hearing Requests - 04/07/2026
Batch run: 04/07/2026
Rev:04/07/2026