Respond to status requests from DOs if they concern totalization. Written requests
from DOs are made on either Form SSA-555-U3 (Request for Action—Delayed Payment) or
Form SSA-2339-U3 (Request for Postentitlement Information). Handwrite responses in
the “remarks” or “reply” sections of the forms. If BETs can fully respond to the request, line-out “Director of Operations,” replace it with “Benefit Earnings Technician” and sign and date the form. Return the original form to the DO by reversing the “To” and “From” blocks, placing it in an envelope and dispatching it. The copy is placed in the folder
for documentation.
If BETs cannot fully respond to the request, they refer the case to a CA after answering
whatever question(s) they can.
DO personnel occasionally phone the appropriate module to inquire about specific cases.
BETs respond to such phone inquiries when they concern development requests made by
the BETs. If the folder can be located quickly, respond at once. If the folder cannot
be located quickly, return the DOs call as quickly as possible.
DOs sometimes teletype inquiries. These teletypes are stamped, “Process as 555” or “process as 2339.” They are priority items and BETs should respond to them expeditiously when they concern
totalization claims. Reply to teletyped inquiries by completing a Standard Form 14
(SF-14) as follows:
-
Date Prepared—Enter current date.
Name—Enter name of BET and “Mod #” (the appropriate Mod number).
Phone Number—Enter phone extension.
Message to be Transmitted—Enter after “TO:” “SSA” followed by DO number and address. Enter “From” followed by “OIO—Totalization, P.O. Box 17769, Baltimore, MD 21235.” Enter “RE” followed by name of claimant, address of claimant, SSN of claimant and, if available,
the telephone number of claimant.
Enter the response to the DO inquiry, explaining completely but concisely the cause
for delay of the claim processing. BETs should prepare a copy of the teletype for
folder documentation and dispatch the original to the Data Preparation and Enforcement
Unit (DPEU).