TN 51 (10-22)
Preliminary questions during the initial interview with a prospective claimant should
reveal whether an application for monthly RSI benefits or an SSA-18F5 should be filed.
In any doubtful case, obtain an SSA-18-F5 and a supplemental statement, if needed,
to determine possible entitlement to monthly benefits or eligibility for RSI. If an
SSA-18F5 is filed for an insured individual, it is possible to adjudicate the RSI
claim without further development. The application item concerning the claimant's
agreement to report deduction and termination events can be obtained after adjudication.
An interested person may file for deemed insured HI on behalf of an incompetent individual
or an individual who is physically unable to execute an application. Since representative
payee development will not be undertaken in these cases, medical evidence describing
the individual's condition will not normally be available. To establish that the interested
person is a proper applicant in accordance with GN 00204.003, complete a signed statement describing the individual's condition and relationship
or other basis for acting on their behalf). If such statement raises any doubt that
the individual is incompetent or that the interested person is a proper applicant,
evidence should be obtained to resolve the issue.