Both the Program Service Center/Disability Processing Branch (PSC/DPB) (the DDSs responsible
for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa) and OIO (who prepares
Title II disability determinations for foreign claimants) do not routinely prepare
SSI disability determinations. SSI does not apply outside the 50 States, the District
of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Therefore, you must follow certain
instructions if the claimant files a Title XVI-only claim, or a concurrent Title II/Title
XVI claim and then moves to, or from, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam,
or American Samoa.
a. Title II/Title XVI concurrent claim - Claimant moves to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Guam, or American Samoa from the U.S.
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Contact the FO to determine whether U.S. residency requirements are met for at least
the month of filing (i.e., Title XVI eligibility exists).
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If no Title XVI eligibility exists, return the Title XVI file to the FO serving the
last U.S. residence, and transfer the Title II file for the medical decision to the
DDS serving the new address in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, or American
Samoa. Notify the FO of the Title II claim transfer.
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If Title II and Title XVI eligibility exists, the DDS in the State of last residence
(where the claimant filed the Title XVI claim) develops the medical evidence, makes
a concurrent Title II/Title XVI medical determination, and returns both files to the
FO serving the last U.S. residence.
b. Title XVI-only claim - Claimant moves to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam,
or American Samoa from the U.S.
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Contact the FO to determine whether U.S. residency requirements are met for at least
the month of filing (i.e., Title XVI eligibility exists).
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If no Title XVI eligibility exists, return the file to the FO serving the last U.S.
residence for denial.
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If Title XVI eligibility exists for at least one month, the DDS in the State (where
the claimant filed the Title XVI claim) develops the medical evidence, makes a final
determination, and returns the file to the FO serving the last U.S. residence.
c. Title II claim with a subsequent Title XVI claim - Claimant moves from Puerto Rico,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa to the U.S.
In Title II claim situations:
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If the DDS serving Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa receives
notice that the claimant has moved to the U.S., they transfer the Title II claim to
the DDS serving the claimant’s current U.S. residence.
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If the DDS chooses to complete their determination prior to transfer of the Title
II claim, and the determination results in an allowance, the U.S. FO adopts the allowance
for any subsequent Title XVI claim. If the Title II decision is a denial, send any
subsequent Title XVI claim to the DDS serving the current U.S. residence for a determination.
NOTE: Since SSI applies only in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Northern
Mariana Islands, Title XVI claims are not filed in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
Guam, or American Samoa. Claimants must file any Title XVI claims after moving to
the United States.