The EAP is a special one-time payment conducted in the Field Office in which the claimant receives an advance of the first month's benefit payment if an established financial emergency exists. The payment may be based on a finding that the non-medical eligibility factors are only presumptively met. However, there must be a sufficient basis for finding presumptive disability/presumptive blindness (PD/PB) eligibility on income and resources.

In claims based on disability or blindness, EAP requires either a PD/PB finding by the field office (FO) or a formal disability allowance by the Disability Determination Services (DDS). If the impairment is one of those listed in DI 11055.231, the FO may make an EAP based on PD/PB.

If the claimant meets the EAP criteria listed in DI 11055.245A and SI 02004.005, and the FO makes a PD/PB finding, the FO must:

• •

  Follow procedure for making a PD/PB finding as outlined in DI 11055.230 and DI 11055.240;

  NOTE: Include information regarding the EAP on the PD/PB remarks flag.

• •

  Process the EAP per FO Procedures for EAPs SI 02004.010;

• •

  Expedite the necessary non-medical development; and

• •

  Initiate PD/PB payments when non-medical development is completed.

If the claimant meets the EAP criteria but the FO is unable to make a PD/PB finding, the FO must defer to the DDS for a possible PD/PB finding. Do not initiate an EAP until receipt of DDS notification of PD/PB.