TN 20 (05-11)

A. Introduction to relationship between freeze insured status and DIB insured status

A number holder (NH) who is in freeze status or eligible for a freeze when he or she files for DIB will usually have DIB insured status. However, the NH does not meet DIB insured status if he or she meets the freeze insured status requirements only with the help of railroad (RR) compensation or military service (MS) which is not creditable for monthly benefit purposes. For Use of Earnings by RRB and SSA, see RS 01601.260 and for General Information on Crediting MS, see RS 01701.000.

Conversely, where the NH does not have freeze insured status, he or she will not have DIB insured status.

B. Operating policy for relationship between freeze insured status and DIB insured status

1. Effect of freeze

• Do not count as an elapsed year any year, part or all of which, is in a freeze period.

• You may count the first and last quarter of a period of disability, that meets the definition of a quarter of coverage (QC).

2. Effect of period of disability on QCs

Do not count any quarter all or part of which is in a period of disability, except the beginning or ending quarters if they are QCs, in determining the:

• 40-quarter period;

• 13-quarter period

• period for special insured status for disability before age 31 (see RS 00301.140); or

• period of continuous QCs under the alternate insured status provision. (For additional information, refer to RS 00301.480 Alternate Insured Status Test for NH’s Under a Disability Before 1956.)

C. Related policy for relationship between freeze insured status and DIB insured status

1. Denial or reduced benefits

Do not use a freeze period if it would cause a denial of or reduced benefits. If there are quarters within a period of disability that would be QCs but for the period of disability, and entitlement is established based on these additional QCs, disregard the freeze period and count the QCs.

2. More than one DIB period

When there are two or more prior periods of disability, either all must be disregarded or all must be used for the current period of disability when computing insured status.