The DO will send new monthly benefit claims, to the processing center in which the
previously adjudicated, cross-referred claim is being maintained, unless either claim
is payable from the Disability Insurance Trust Fund or the new claim requires a disability
determination. In this connection, it will be necessary to ascertain whether GN 01050.055 A. or B. would require the cross-referred claim to be maintained in the INTPSC.
For routing of new disability claims, see DI 11010.000ff., DI 11020.000ff., DI 11025.000ff.
and DI 11010.255. When a new claim involves a foreign address, the DO will forward the claim to INTPSC
(see C below).
When a claimant files for both RIB and spouse's benefits but is not insured for RIB,
the claims will generally be processed together. Do not prepare an SSA-3293. Check
item 4(b) on the SSA-3601 transmittal form and route the claims together to the PSC
servicing the spouse's claim. When a claimant files for both RIB and spouse's benefits
but the RIB precludes spouse's benefit entitlement, do not prepare an SSA-3601 or
SSA-3428-U2 for the spouse's claim. Include paragraph RM 40 on the SSA-3687-U2 for
the RIB claim and forward the claims together under transmittal form SSA-3293 to the
PSC servicing the RIB claim.
When a married couple are each entitled to a primary benefit, one of which is a DIB,
each of their respective claims is handled by the appropriate processing center (a
servicing PSC, or INTPSC) whether developed simultaneously or one subsequent to the
other. The DIB is reviewed if necessary and then maintained (i.e., filed and serviced
for post-entitlement actions) by ODO or in those cases where the individual applying
for benefits on the social security number resides outside the United States or used
a foreign mailing address, the DIB is reviewed if necessary and maintained by INTPSC.
The RIB claim is reviewed if necessary and maintained by the appropriate servicing
PSC. If either spouse is also entitled to an additional amount as a spouse (i.e.,
the auxiliary benefit is higher than the primary benefit), the additional amount from
the other trust fund will generally be paid to the beneficiary involved in a separate
check.
In all cases in which more than one processing center may be involved, include with
each claim a microfiche print, an MBR or an RC showing any pertinent information (e.g.,
identification of the other processing center, SSN, DB, date of entitlement, PIA,
amount of benefit, and payment status) about the claim filed on the other SSN. Also,
all necessary proofs (photocopies or certifications, if necessary) should be in the
file even though the original documents may be in the other file. Each file should
be completed so that each can be adjudicated without later having to request the other
file. When a supplemental SSA-1F6 or SSA-2F6 is filed, include a photocopy of the
fully completed application with the respective claim.
Example:
An individual files for RIB and for spouse's benefits on the SSN of their disabled
spouse. The DO will send their RIB claim with necessary proofs to the servicing PSC,
while the claim for spouse's benefits with necessary proofs will go to ODO. (If both
are living abroad both files will be sent to INTPSC.)