When an MCS abbreviated application (ABAP) or skeleton SSA-16 (Application for Disability
Insurance Benefits) is taken, review the EC screens. See GN 00204.009 Abbreviated Applications--Title II. When determining disability insured status, consider
railroad compensation quarters and military service quarters as well as the various
types of disability insured status.
NOTE: ABAP applications have no provision to add lag earnings. The EARN screen is not
a part of the ABAP application screens path. If lag earnings are involved, obtain
an ICERS or Disability Insured Status Calculator Online (DISCO) to determine insured
status since EC does not have lag data and change the ABAP application to a full disability
application.
Appropriate action is necessary in accordance with the following:
1. Earnings Record (E/R) Received-Insured Status Met
If the earnings computation screens show that the claimant meets the disability insured
status test for U.S. coverage either at the alleged onset date (AOD) or in a possible
earlier onset date, change the ABAP to a full disability application and forward the
claim to the:
-
a.
Disability Determination Services (DDS), or
-
b.
Disability Processing Branch (DPB) of the Program Service Center (PSC) for SSA jurisdiction
claims, or
-
c.
Great Lakes Program Service Center- Disability Processing Branch (GLPSC-DPB) for Railroad
Retirement Board (RRB) medical jurisdiction claims.
For prior year self-employment income (SEI) see RS 01804.100 Establishing Lag SEI. For current year SEI see RS 01804.110 Establishing Current Year SEI.
2. E/R Received-Insured Status Not Met
If the quarters of coverage, (QC) information on the E/R or DISCO shows that DIB insured
status is not met for U.S. coverage, or that the onset of disability occurred after
the number holder (NH) last met insured status, do not undertake any further non-medical
development. Document the file according to DI 11005.001 Field Office Disability Interviews; provide explanations as to why gaps in work are
not related to the impairment. Complete and document non-medical development on any
earnings or coverage issue, which must be resolved, even though the claim is denied.
This policy also applies in concurrent Retirement Insurance Benefits/Disability Insurance
Benefits (RIB/DIB) claims.
3. Earnings record received—combined coverage
If the NH has at least six QCs, but does not meet insured status under U.S. coverage
alone and has reported foreign earnings from a country in which the U.S. has entered
into an international Totalization Agreement, consider combined coverage to meet insured
status. If entitlement to a Totalization benefit, or an earlier month of entitlement
is possible forward the claim to:
Social Security Administration
Office of International Operations
Totalization
PO Box 17049
Baltimore, MD 21235-7049
Print “Totalization Claim” on the route slip. See GN 01702.410 - Routing of Claims for U.S. Totalization Disability Benefits.