Scouting is a process in which OCO searches online sources and microfilmed wage reports
for a specific period. OCO will verify if the employer filed a report by checking
the 941 file for years prior to 1978 or the ERQY and AWR/EAMATE microfilm file for
years after 1977.
NOTE: We discontinued the procedure for storing actual employer reports on microfilm in
1978 with the implementation of Annual Wage Reporting (AWR) when SSA began posting
all earnings details to the MEF. Processed wage data for years after 1977 is available
on microfilm.
CAUTION: Scouting and feedback are different actions requiring OCO to check different records.