The International Disability Unit (IDU) normally arranges consultative examinations (CEs) for foreign disability claimants through the Foreign Service Posts (FSPs). However, to expedite the process when certain Mexican disability cases require a CE, IDU requests assistance from the southern-border disability determination services (DDS).

If a disabled individual requires a CE and resides in authorized towns of the Mexican States of Baja California or Sonora, IDU sends form SSA-847-U3 (SSA Request for Case Action) to the DDS in Arizona or California. On second requests, IDU annotates second request remarks to stop the DDS from establishing a second file. For paper cases, IDU sends a courtesy copy (diary copy) to the servicing field office (FO) with a covering Optional Form 41 labeled “Courtesy Copy” in remarks.

The DDS returns the following requests to IDU and annotates “Request not authorized per DI 29505.005” either in the Alerts and Messages section of the electronic folder, on an SSA-5002 (Report of Contact), or in remarks on the paper SSA-847-U3:

• •

  CEs for individuals residing outside the authorized areas; or,

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  Other types of evidence for claims related to any resident of Mexico.

1. 1. 

   The California DDS may schedule CEs for claimants residing in the following towns within the Mexican State of Baja California:

   • •

     Cuervos

   • •

     Ensenada

   • •

     Los Algadones

   • •

     Los Pinos

   • •

     Mexicali

   • •

     Rosarito (Playas De Rosarito) Tijuana

   • •

     San Felipe

   • •

     Tabasco

   • •

     Tecate

   • •

     Tijuana

2. 2. 

   The Arizona DDS may schedule CEs for claimants residing in the following towns in the Mexican State of Sonora:

   • •

     Agua Prieta

   • •

     Caborca

   • •

     Cananea

   • •

     Magdalena

   • •

     Naco

   • •

     Nogales

   • •

     Puerto Penasco

   • •

     San Luis Rio Colorada

   • •

     Santa Ana

   • •

     Sonoita

Some of the towns listed in this subsection are not shown on every map. The town of Rosarito in the Baja State is a few miles south of Tijuana. Do not confuse it with the town of Rosarito several hundred miles to the south. The town of Tabasco is located approximately 12 miles south of Cuervos. It has no relationship to the State of Tabasco near Guatemala.

1. 1. 

   When requesting that a resident of northern Mexico report for a CE, include the same information contained in a domestic CE request. (For instructions on scheduling the CE, see DI 22510.016, DI 22510.017, and DI 22510.019.

   Attempt to contact the claimant by phone at the time of the initial CE request to ensure his or her cooperation.

2. 2. 

   Schedule the appointment at least 20 days from the original date of contact or date of mailing the request for CE. If the claimant indicates he or she will keep the scheduled appointment, remind the claimant by telephone 4 days before the CE, or in writing no less than a week before the scheduled date.

3. 3. 

   If the claimant does not respond to an initial request to report for a CE within 20 days, follow the instructions in DI 22510.019D (set follow up diaries for 15 days instead of 10 days).

4. 4. 

   Make sure the claimant is fully aware why the examination is needed, and what he or she can expect during the CE.

5. 5. 

   If there is no response after 15 days, document the attempted contacts on an SSA-5002 (Report of Contact) and return the SSA-847-U3 (SSA Request for Case Action) with the SSA-5002 to IDU. For paper cases, include a copy of the closeout letter.

6. 6. 

   If a claimant contacts the DDS after return of the initial CE request to IDU and the claimant is willing to report for a CE, reschedule the CE immediately. Do not delay scheduling the CE until IDU forwards another SSA-847-U3.

7. 7. 

   Alert IDU that you scheduled a new CE date. IDU will send another SSA-847-U3 to the DDS for control purposes with the heading “Rescheduled Examination” in “Remarks.”

The DDS reports IDU CE development requests on the State Agency Operations Report (SAOR) under the same category as out-of-state CE requests.