GN 00302: Proof of Age

Effective Dates: 11/30/2016 - Present

TN 17 (02-95)

A. Introduction

In some cases, an individual will already have established his/her DB with SSA. The following sections describe how these situations may be identified, and what actions adjudicators should take.

B. Policy

Claimants who have previously established their age in connection with a claim for benefits with SSA or an SSN application (“P” or “B” code on the Numident) will not be required to resubmit evidence of age if they later refile, unless the adjudicator has reason to question the accuracy of the proven age.

C. Procedure — Established DB Indicators

Refer to the entries shown below to determine whether a claimant's DB has previously been established for SSA purposes. Follow this chart for needed development relating to these entries. (See GN 00302.011 for the proof code to show on the current claim.)

NOTE: The general requirement that the SSA record be established at least 5 years prior to the current filing date does not apply to the records shown below.

Record	Indicator	Comments	Further Development Requirements
MBR or microfiche or MCS screens	“P”, “B”, “C”, or “Q” (Whether claim awarded or disallowed)	Codes are printed immediately after the DB.	None
	“F”	Prior claim had a post-1977 month of entitlement (MOET) NOTE: “F” signifies that the DB was previously established for SSA purposes	None
		Prior claim had a pre-1978 MOET NOTE: Because of a systems problem, an unknown number of claims with a pre-1978 MOET were erroneously coded “F.” Treat such DBs as being established only if the prior benefit was one for which age was an immediate factor of entitlement. (See GN 00302.001.)	If age was not an immediate factor of entitlement for the prior benefit, request pre-1978 entitled claimants to resubmit evidence of age; otherwise, the information must be requested from the prior folder.
	No code - Claimant is/was entitled to benefits for which age is a factor of entitlement.	Includes BICs such as “A,” “B,” or “D” for claims filed before 1977.	None
	No code or “A” - Claimant was entitled to DIB — attained full retirement age (FRA).	DI beneficiaries are automatically converted to Retirement Insurance Benefits (RIB) at FRA and the DB is considered to be established as of the date of the conversion from DIB to RIB. Show the DB for a claim filed subsequent to the DIB/RIB as previously established (code F) unless there is a discrepancy in the age allegation or the RIB claim is not active. When an age issue appears on the DW01 or DW02 screen, annotate that the MBR was the source of the DB.	If the claimant questions the established DB, and presents evidence showing the MBR DB is incorrect, follow the rules of administrative finality to determine whether corrective action can be taken on the DB in the RIB record. (See GN 04030.010.) Even if correcting the DB on the RIB claim is precluded, the corrected DB must be established for a claimant awarded benefits subsequently as an auxiliary or survivor. (See GN 04030.010.)
	Claim was previously disallowed and the claimant's DB was established.	No additional evidence of age is needed.	None
NUMIDENT	“P” or “B”	Codes are annotated to the Numident when the SSN applicant submits a birth record established before age 5.	Question the “P” or “B” code if shown with a foreign place of birth.
SSR	“B” or “C”	Codes are printed immediately after the DB	None
	“F”	See prior entry for “MBR or microfiche or MCS screen.”	See prior entry for “MBR or microfiche or MCS screens.”

Record	Indicator	Comments	Further Development Requirements
	“E” or “No Code”	Currently receiving payments as an aged individual or a blind or disabled child or claimant was entitled to payments as an aged individual or a blind or disabled child but terminated for a reason other than age.	None
		Currently receiving payments as a blind or disabled individual or previously received payments as a blind or disabled individual. This includes a blind or disabled individual who attains age 65.	Full development required.

D. Procedure — Discrepant Conditions

Develop further for the correct DB when discrepant conditions exist.

NOTE: Whether the previous award can be corrected depends on the rules of administrative finality. (See GN 04030.010.)

1. Claimant Disavows DB

In any of the situations listed in C. above, if the claimant disavows the previously established DB and presents a valid birth certificate (BC) or religious record established before age 5 which shows the SSA record of the DB to be incorrect, use the correct DB for the current award.

2. Claimant Disavows DB But No BC or Religious Record

Follow GN 00302.165 - GN 00302.180 to resolve the resulting material discrepancy when the following factors are present:

There is no BC or religious record available, and
The DB on the SSA record is coded “B,” and
The DB given by the claimant is materially different from that on the SSA record (indicating that the “B” was erroneously entered).

NOTE: This may also involve obtaining information from the claimant's prior folder to see if a public or religious record of birth was indeed submitted earlier.

3. Other Proof Code Suspect

If another proof code is shown with a DB which, in the adjudicator's opinion, is suspect based on the evidence now in file, develop to resolve the discrepancy per GN 00302.165 - GN 00302.180.

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