Occasionally it may be temporarily impossible to obtain Title II primary evidence
or Title XVI prescribed evidence from an evidentiary source due to strike, fire, or
other similar disturbances. If other types of preferred evidence are not available,
and the expected duration of the emergency will exceed two weeks, you may partially
adjudicate using emergency procedures and secondary evidence to process title II,
title XVI, or title XVIII claims that require evidence of age, death, or other entitlement
eligibility factors.
We will still require preferred evidence on a post-adjudicative basis. However, we
will not disallow or deny a claim based only on secondary evidence when preferred
evidence exists.