BASIC (04-00)

A. Introduction

Current policy prohibits assigning an SSN to a non-citizen unless that person will be paid a Social Security benefit or unless that person is eligible for a Federal, State or local benefit for which an SSN is needed. However, a person without an SSN may file a claim for SVB benefits alleging World War II military service. If there is no evidence that the claimant was eligible for SSI in December 1999, the month that title VIII was enacted, the SVB claim must be denied unless the claimant provides information to the contrary.

B. Procedure - Claim Filed in the United States

After a valid application has been received from a person without an SSN, follow this procedure when processing alpha claims for SVB.

• Do not assign an SSN.

• Fully develop all possible qualification requirements for SVB. (See VB 05001.014 for the notice.)

• If, during development, evidence indicates claimant was eligible for SSI, he or she must have an SSN. Locate the SSN and process the claim as explained in VB 00901.010.

  If an SSN is found, the claim is no longer an "alpha" claim.

• If no SSN can be located, send denial notice and process the claim as an "abandoned" claim. (See GN 01010.420 for abandoned claims procedure.)

• Retain the file in the Field Office (FO) (filed alphabetically). See GN 01010.420 for instructions about disposing of abandoned claims.

C. Procedure - Claim Filed Outside the United States

After a valid application has been received from a person outside of the United States without an SSN, follow this procedure when processing alpha claims for SVB.

• Do not assign an SSN.

• Fully develop all possible qualification requirements for SVB. (See VB 05001.015 for the notice.)

• If, during development, evidence indicates claimant was eligible for SSI, he or she must have an SSN. Locate the SSN.

  If an SSN is found, the claim is no longer an "alpha" claim.

• Route the claim to the appropriate Central Processing Site (CPS) (see VB 00901.025).

• Annotate the routing form "Alpha claim - SVB"

D. Procedure - Central Processing Site (CPS)

After an alpha claim is received from outside the United States, follow this procedure for processing alpha claims for SVB.

• Do not assign an SSN.

• If no SSN was located during claim development, send a denial notice and process the claim as an "abandoned" claim. (See GN 01010.420 for abandoned claims procedure and VB 05001.017 for denial notice.)

• Retain the file in the Central Processing Site (CPS) (filed alphabetically). See GN 01010.420 for instructions about disposing of abandoned claims.

E. Reference

Definition of United States, VB 00101.001B.1.