TN 42 (11-23)

RS 00207.010 Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB) With Disabled Widow(er) Benefit (DWB) Involvement

A. Background

For benefits payable before 1/1/91 a stricter definition of disability applied. The DIB claimant was notified on the DIB award notice if they met the disability requirement for DIB but not for widow(er)'s benefits.

B. FO procedure

1. DIB claimant eligible for widow(er)'s benefits

The FO will:

  • Follow instructions in DI 11015.015 for DIB – DWB claims, DI 10005.005 for disability development and DI 10005.001 for an overview of FO responsibilities and tasks; and

  • Process the lump sum death payment (LSDP) while the disability decision is pending. Refer to instructions for special situations in DI 11025.020; and

  • Obtain an earnings record (ER) if needed on both the deceased spouse’s record and the disabled widow(er)’s record; and

REMINDER: MCS EC provides, at a minimum, the yearly earnings and the insured status determination. In the event that Modernized Claims System (MCS) Earnings Computation (EC) does not produce an ER, obtain one through Informational/Certified Earnings Record System (ICERS).

  • Prepare a Disability Determination and Transmittal, SSA-831, for each claim filed per instructions in DI 11015.015C and

  • Fax the SSA-831 to the certified electronic folder (CEF) per instructions in DI 81010.090; and

  • For further processing instructions, see DI 11015.025.

2. DIB-DWB adjudication

If the Disability Determination Services (DDS) sends notification of a favorable decision:

  • adjudicate the claim(s) in MCS EC if no processing limitations exists. If a processing limitation exists, prepare an EF; and

  • take any corresponding action in EDCS per instructions in DI 81010.087.

NOTE: Use the MCS EC routing form to fax any paper claims to the appropriate program center’s (PC) paperless fax number.

3. DIB beneficiary files for DWB

If a DIB beneficiary wishes to file for DWB, the FO will:

  • complete the application through MCS or obtain a form SSA-10-BK, (Application for Widow’s or Widower’s Benefits); and

  • complete any necessary nondisability development; and

NOTE: For storing non-medical evidence in the CEF, see DI 81010.135.

  • forward the DWB claim for a medical determination. Enter “Widow(er) entitled to DIB on (XXX-XX-XXXX)” on the DDTR screen in MCS, or item 23 of the paper SSA-831 if the case cannot be processed electronically per DI 11010.205; and

  • follow instructions when a disability determination is made in RS 00207.015.

C. References

DI 11015.010 Field Office (FO) Processing of a Disabled Widow(er)'s Case in the Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS)

RS 00207.004 Widow(er) Benefits Table of Proofs and Development – Policy


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300207010
RS 00207.010 - Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB) With Disabled Widow(er) Benefit (DWB) Involvement - 11/08/2023
Batch run: 11/08/2023
Rev:11/08/2023