When documenting a capability determination you must record all facts including:
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Lay evidence and medical evidence;
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Reports of contacts you completed in the electronic Representative Payee System (eRPS),
Modernized Claims System (MCS), or Modernized Supplemental Security Income Claims
System (MSSICS);
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Paper evidence to support your capability determination that you scanned into Non-Disability
Repository for Evidentiary Documents (NDRed) using the Evidence Portal (EP), or into
eView (Retention of Paper Material, see GN 00301.322); and
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A concluding statement that you determine the beneficiary is capable or incapable,
the basis of your determination (what evidence you considered), and how those factors
support your capability determination.
EXAMPLE: Complete capability determination
I conducted an in-person interview with Mr. Ryan Jones on 4/12/16. Mr. Jones was unable
to answer most of my questions, including what his living expenses were and who paid
his bills.
I spoke in-person to his spouse (caretaker/custodian), Mrs. Susan Jones, on 4/12/16.
Mrs. Jones stated that Mr. Jones is unable to manage his benefits or direct the management
of his benefits and she has managed all his living expenses for the last two years.
More details are in a report of contact in eRPS, dated 4/12/16.
I spoke on the phone to his social worker, Ms. Judith Porter, who stated she observes
Mr. Jones’s daily living activities two times a week. Ms. Porter stated Mr. Jones
does not understand the concept of money and is unable to manage his finances to meet
his daily needs. More details are in a report of contact in eRPS, dated 4/12/16.
I received a SSA-787, dated 4/14/16, from Dr. John Smith that indicates he last examined
Mr. Jones on 3/15/16. Dr. Smith noted that Mr. Jones is incapable of managing his
benefits or directing the management of his benefits. I scanned the SSA-787 into NDRed
using the Evidence Portal (EP).
After evaluating the lay and medical evidence, I have determined Mr.
Ryan Jones does not understand the concept of money, how to manage finances, or direct
the management of his benefits to meet his daily needs. Therefore, I have determined
Mr. Ryan Jones is incapable.
The example clearly supports the FO technician’s capability development and determination
as follows:
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Obtained lay evidence from Mr. Ryan Jones, Mrs. Susan Jones, and Ms. Judith Porter;
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Obtained Medical Evidence from Dr. John Smith;
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Evaluated both the lay and medical evidence;
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Provided the location of the detailed report of contact with Mrs. Susan Jones and
Ms. Judith Porter;
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Provided the location of the scanned SSA-787 from Dr. John Smith; and
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Included a concluding statement.