When the disability determination services (DDS) directly receives notice of the claimant's
death, inform the field office (FO) via telephone, email, or other electronic means
so the FO may take appropriate systems and survivor’s claims action. DDS must inform
the FO of the reported date of death via telephone, email, or other electronic means
so the FO may confirm if the reported date of death is correct. For electronic disability
insurance benefit (eDib) cases, see DI 81020.090 Certified Electronic Folder (CEF) Messages.
The DDS develops the cause of death prior to adjudication unless an allowance is indicated
based on medical evidence already in file. The DDS may request FO assistance to obtain
the death certificate. The DDS may also request the FO’s assistance in obtaining signed
SSA-827s from the deceased claimant’s administrator, executor, or trustee.
If it is a Title XVI only case, request the FO to determine whether a DDS disability/blindness
determination is necessary, per DI 23510.001 Cases Involving Death – Title II and Title XVI.
If a disability determination is necessary, the DDS retains the case and follows these steps:
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Do not enter the disability determination data in NDDSS;
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Input clearance data in NDDSS according to the instructions in DI 23510.035; and
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Send the case to the servicing FO.
If no disability determination is necessary, cease development and return the case to the FO. (See, DI 81020.127 Processing “No Determination” Claims.)
Follow the appropriate procedures as outlined in: