NL: Notices, Letters and Paragraphs
TN 6 (12-93)
A. Policy — Classification by type of action
1. Award notice
Sent to individuals to explain:
Type and amount of benefits;
Other pertinent information (See NL 00601.010).
2. Disallowance notice
Sent to applicants who do not meet all the nondisability requirements for entitlement (see NL 00601.020).
3. Denial notice
A denial notice is sent to applicants for disability benefits who do not meet the disability requirements. (See NL 00603.005)
4. Postentitlement notice
A postentitlement notice is sent to beneficiaries when an action is taken that affects benefits. It explains:
reason for the action;
effect of the action; and
other pertinent information.
(See NL 00601.040)
5. Advance notice
An advance notice is sent primarily when a person's benefits may be affected by a report or action that the person may not be aware of. This notice:
explains the action we plan to take;
explains what to do if the person disagrees; and
is sent before taking the action to allow time for the person to respond.
(See NL 00601.030)
6. Interim notice
An interim notice is sent to the claimant with pertinent information prior to a final determination (e.g., the notice sent in End State Renal Disease Claims).
B. Policy - classification by type of notice
1. Computer notices
Most award and postentitlement notices are computer generated. They include high volume:
notices composed of approved paragraphs automatically sequenced by the computer program.
preprinted form notices with fill-ins generated by the computer; and
notices partially generated by the computer with fill-ins requested by the technician and added by the typist.
2. Exhibit letters
Exhibit letters are guide letters which can be tailored to the situation. They are:
provided for situations that occur fairly frequently, but contain variable or optional information.
prepared on Four-Phase Word Processing equipment. (See NL 00703.005)
3. Form notices
Form notices are used for situations that occur frequently and contain a high percentage of standard information that is preprinted. (May also be in Four-Phase.)
4. Dictated letters
Dictated letters are prepared when there is no standard notice which explains a unique or complex situation. (May also be in Four-Phase.)