The International Disability Unit (IDU) normally arranges consultative examinations
(CEs) for foreign disability claimants through the Foreign Service Posts (FSPs). However,
to expedite the process when certain Mexican disability cases require a CE, IDU requests
assistance from the southern-border disability determination services (DDS).
If a disabled individual requires a CE and resides in authorized towns of the Mexican
States of Baja California or Sonora, IDU sends form SSA-847-U3 (SSA Request for Case
Action) to the DDS in Arizona or California. On second requests, IDU annotates second
request remarks to stop the DDS from establishing a second file. For paper cases,
IDU sends a courtesy copy (diary copy) to the servicing field office (FO) with a covering
Optional Form 41 labeled “Courtesy Copy” in remarks.
The DDS returns the following requests to IDU and annotates “Request not authorized
per DI 29505.005” either in the Alerts and Messages section of the electronic folder, on an SSA-5002
(Report of Contact), or in remarks on the paper SSA-847-U3:
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CEs for individuals residing outside the authorized areas; or,
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Other types of evidence for claims related to any resident of Mexico.