There are two types of special determinations:

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  Formal, and;

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  Informal.

If the RPOC screen is available, use it to record the special determination. However, determinations may be recorded using paper forms if the electronic screens are not available.

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  General Use Forms:

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    SSA-553 - Special Determination;

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    SSA-5002 - Report of Contact; or

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    SSA-924 - Folder Documentation (processing center (PC) only).

NOTE: You must electronically store all paper determinations in the Claims File Records Management System (CRFMS) or electronic DIB folder (eDIB) as per GN 00301.322.

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  Specific Use Forms:

When using the RPOC screens to record a special determination, type in capital letters:

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  “SPECIAL DETERMINATION” in the RPOC PERSON CONTACTED field and “NONE” in the RELATIONSHIP/TITLE field;

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  The date the determination is made in the DATE CONTACTED field;

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  “3” in the HOW CONTACTED field; and

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  “N/A” in the SPECIFY/OTHER SPECIFY field.

Refer to MSOM MCS 008.007 and the NOTE in GN 01010.007C.3 for more detailed information about the RPOC screen.

The Item Correction (ICOR) process of the Earnings Modernization (EM) system processes adjustments to an individual's earnings record. ICOR provides several wage and SEI determination screens for justification of the earnings action taken.

You may request the appropriate determination screen, or depending on the “Basis for Change” code, it automatically propagates. Certain “Basis for Change” codes require a determination and if selected, it automatically propagates the appropriate determination screens. If more than, one issue is involved in the earnings adjustment (e.g., an employer or employee relationship or coverage issue and an earnings adjustment), discuss each issue with the claimant and document the justification. However, be aware that only one determination screen propagates to address all pertinent issues. For more information about ICOR screens, see MSOM EM 019.001 thru MSOM EM 031.001.

If you determined that there is no need to adjust the earnings record, prepare the special determination as instructed in GN 01010.360B.2 to explain the reason for no adjustment.

Field Offices (FO) adjudicators usually prepare the special determinations for both, claims and earnings discrepancy cases. However, in some situations, the PC has information not available to the FO, in those cases; the determination will be prepared in the PC.