Failure to cooperate (FTC) means the beneficiary or recipient failed to comply with the request
for evidence or action without good cause. Specifically,
-
•
the beneficiary or recipient did not state orally or in writing that they would not provide the needed evidence (e.g. description of past work) or
perform the needed action (e.g. respond to a call in letter), or
-
•
the beneficiary or recipient states orally or in writing that they will not provide the needed evidence or perform the needed action, and
the individual does not provide good cause why they will not cooperate with the request.
If the beneficiary or recipient provides good cause for not cooperating, give the
individual another opportunity to provide the needed evidence or perform the needed
action. FTC without good cause is a basis for the Disability Determinations Services
(DDS) to find a cessation and terminate Title II and/or Title XVI benefits only when
there is not enough evidence in file to justify a continuance. FTC does not apply
if there is enough evidence to make a continuance determination. For good cause reasons
for FTC, see DI 28075.005H.1.
Children are not ordinarily in a position to pursue their claims independently. Make
special efforts in Title XVI child cases involving noncooperation to identify and
contact another adult or agency responsible for the child's care.
The general approach to apply FTC and whereabouts unknown (WU) for CDRs is located
in DI 28075.005. The references cited below provide a more detailed overview of the FTC and WU process
that applies to CDRs as well as initial claims. Field office (FO) instructions can
be found in DI 13015.001 through DI 13015.025.
References:
-
-
•
DI 25205.020 Failure to Cooperate and Insufficient Evidence in Title XVI Disabled Child (DC) Cases
-
•
DI 28075.005 Failure to Cooperate (FTC) and Whereabouts Unknown (WU) During a Medical Continuing
Disability Review (CDR)