TN 25 (03-21)

RM 03803.069 Monitoring Earnings Case Closure Timeframes

  1. A. 

    Because of the time limits for making an initial determination on all disagreement (DI), scrambled wage (SW), and IRS scrambled wage (IR) earnings discrepancy (ED) cases (see RM 03803.020), the age of cases should be monitored. Since cases needing development by the field office (FO) may require extensive amounts of time for field development, managers should not allow cases to age within OCO before special attention is given.

  2. B. 

    Identify cases that are pending for 6 months or more on the electronic control system.

    1. CASE IS LOCATED WITHIN THE DIVISION OF EARNINGS AND BUSINESS SERVICES (DEBS)

    Handle as follows:

    a. If development for information is still necessary, determine exactly what is needed and the probability of securing it. Only develop the case if there is a good chance of securing the necessary information or if the case was not developed. Otherwise continue handling as below.

    b. If necessary, request scouting on a priority basis. Do not allow the case to sit in any backlogs.

    c. Evaluate all the evidence in file and resolve the discrepancy as much as possible. If the case is being closed without establishing all the alleged earnings, prepare an informal determination on an SSA-553 Special Determination form to explain why.

    d. Authorize all possible corrections to the earnings record.

    e. Prepare a closeout letter.

    f. Close the case on the electronic control system.

    g. Dispose of all material.

    2. CASE IS LOCATED IN A COMPONENT OTHER THAN THE DIVISION OF EARNINGS AND BUSINESS SERVICES (DEBS)

    Handle as follows:

    a. Telephone the office that has the case and inform them that the case is now considered an “old case” and request that the case be expedited.

    b. Diary the case on the electronic control system for 30 calendar days.

    c. If it is unlikely that the requested information can be secured, or the requested information is received, complete the case per with B.1.b. through B.1.g. above.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0103803069
RM 03803.069 - Monitoring Earnings Case Closure Timeframes - 03/29/2021
Batch run: 05/07/2021
Rev:03/29/2021