TN 15 (12-17)

A. Introduction to the POD

1. What is the POD?

The POD is the earliest possible date that the adjudicator can use to establish the established onset date (EOD) based on non-medical factors. This date may be the same as, earlier, or later than the alleged onset date (AOD). For more information on AOD, see DI 25501.210.

The field office (FO) determines the POD by evaluating non-medical factors, such as work activity or periods of eligibility for benefits. The disability determination services (DDS) must consider both the POD and the AOD when determining the EOD.

2. The POD is an alert

The POD guides disability case development. The FO claims specialist enters the POD to alert the DDS about:

• work issues that suggest possible disability entitlement earlier or later than the AOD (e.g., work after onset, a reduction of work hours that may reduce work activity below the level of substantial gainful activity (SGA), and possible unsuccessful work attempts (UWA)), see DI 25501.220C.1.b. in this subsection, or

• other non-medical factors (e.g., date first or last insured and prescribed period) limiting the DDS consideration of disability entitlement to a period earlier or later than the AOD.

NOTE: The POD may be in a previously adjudicated period, including a period decided by an administrative law judge (ALJ). The DDS will determine if reopening applies or if they can set the EOD in the prior period. See DI 25501.250 and DI 25501.220C.2.c in this subsection.

3. The POD is claim-specific

Prior to transferring an initial or reconsideration level claim to the DDS for a disability determination, the FO claims specialist:

• completes the EDCS 3367 or SSA-3367 (see DI 11005.045),

• must provide the POD for all Title II disability/concurrent disability claims, and

• must provide the POD for Title XVI claims if the POD is different from the filing date or the protective filing date.

IMPORTANT: If there is more than one claim type, the FO must provide the POD for each disability claim type separately.

4. The POD does not apply to claims involving visual impairments or blindness

The POD:

• pertains to potential non-blind disability entitlement factors only.

• does not guide development for statutory blindness. Therefore, the DDS may only use the POD to determine an onset based on disability rather than statutory blindness.

IMPORTANT: The POD does not apply in new Title II claims filed

following a prior period of statutory blind entitlement ceased due to:

• substantial gainful activity (SGA), or

• a disability freeze based on statutory blindness only (no cash benefits).

In these situations, the FO forwards claims to the payment center (PC) after making SGA determinations and the DDS forwards freeze claims to the PC for disability insurance benefits (DIB) attainment processing per DI 13010.135G.

For detailed information on statutory blindness development, evaluation, and processing, see DI 26000.000 Statutory Blindness Cases – Development, Evaluation and Processing Issues – Table of Contents.

B. Component roles regarding the POD

1. FO roles

The FO:

• documents work activity on the SSA-821-BK or SSA-820-BK, including potential continued work or work after the AOD,

• makes SGA determinations and records possible Trial Work Period (TWP) months on the SSA-823 (unless the work was clearly not SGA). For detailed information to determine if work is or is not SGA, see DI 10505.003,

• must enter the POD for each Title II disability claim type on the SSA-3367 (see the chart in DI 25501.220C.1.b.in this subsection), and

• must enter the POD for Title XVI claims on the SSA-3367 if the POD is different from the protective filing date or the filing date.

REMINDER: For concurrent claims or for multiple Title II claims, the FO must provide the POD separately for each disability claim type.

NOTE: Never assign a POD on a technical denial, for example, due to an SGA denial, because there is no possibility of disability entitlement on the claim.

For related instructions, see also:

• DI 10501.015 for the SGA Earnings Table

• DI 10501.025 for making an SGA determination if the work is clearly not SGA

• DI 10505.035 for completing the SSA-821-BK and SSA-823

• DI 10510.025 for completing the SSA-820-BK and SSA-823

• DI 11010.075 for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) and MQGE claims

• DI 11015.030 for Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefit (DWB) claims

• DI 11020.050 for Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB) claims

• DI 11055.095 for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims

2. DDS roles

The DDS:

• focuses all disability case development on the POD,

• uses the POD when determining the earliest possible EOD, and

• makes a final UWA determination, if applicable.

C. Component instructions regarding the POD

IMPORTANT: Do not deny a disability insurance benefit (DIB) claim based on insured status for a claimant alleging a visual impairment before determining the statutory blind insured status. Do not use the non-medical complete (NMC) function for Title II claims when the claimant alleges blindness or a visual impairment. For detailed information, see DI 11005.070 Field Office Title II and Title XVI Disability Claims for Blindness and Visual Impairment Allegations.

1. FO instructions

Provide a POD for each disability claim type as follows:

a. POD for Title XVI claims

The POD is generally the protective filing date or the filing date if there is no protective filing.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• If the POD is the same as the protective filing date or the filing date, the FO does not need to enter the POD on the EDCS 3367 or the SSA-3367; refer to DI 11005.045A.1.c.

• If SGA ceased after the protective filing (or filing) date, the POD is the last date the claimant performed SGA.

• SGA limits apply in Title XVI initial claims with the exception of those medically determined to meet statutory blindness.

b. POD for Title II claims

For most Title II claim types, the POD is the AOD unless non-medical factors result in a different POD. See the chart below.

To determine the POD:

1. Consider whether a technical factor(s) such as date first insured (DFI), date last insured (DLI), controlling date, the attainment of age 22, and SGA are material.

2. If no technical factor limits the POD to a date later than the AOD, consider whether the POD could be earlier than the AOD.

Evaluate these situations on a case-by-case basis. An earlier POD might be appropriate when allegations indicate impairment(s) existed prior to the AOD, and the claimant was working prior to the AOD, but you determine the work was not SGA. For example, prior to the AOD the claimant may have:

• had subsidized employment,

• had income below SGA,

• had a UWA, as recommended to the DDS by the FO,

• been in pay status, but out on sick leave or received other type(s) of non-countable income after the date last worked (for information on military pay and SGA, or

• received military pay without performing SGA, see DI 11005.006B.

EXAMPLE of an earlier POD: A claimant had a heart attack on 04/26/2010. From 04/27/2010 through 06/26/2010, he did not work but received sick pay. On his application, he alleged disability because of the heart attack and stated his disability began on 06/27/2010, when his sick pay ended. His POD would be 04/26/2010, the date of his heart attack, even though his AOD is 06/27/2010.

EXAMPLE of a later POD: A claimant alleges disability since 11/02/2009. On his application, he indicated he performed SGA until 10/30/2009 and from 12/17/2009 until 03/15/2010, after the AOD. The POD may be 03/15/10, the day the claimant last performed SGA, although it may be 10/30/2009 if the FO believes a UWA is likely.

3. Document the POD determination on the EDCS 3367 or the SSA-3367.

NOTE: Document all work issues on forms SSA-820-BK or SSA-821-BK and document SGA determinations and TWP issues on the SSA-823 (see DI 10510.025 and DI 10505.035).

Consider the factors listed on this chart when determining the POD:

For instructions on documenting the POD, see:

DI 11005.045 Completing the SSA-3367 (Disability Report-Field Office)

DI 81010.025 Completing Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) Forms for Initial Claims.

NOTE: If the FO must update the POD while the claim is under DDS jurisdiction, use the update after transfer (UAT) process.

2. DDS instructions

The DDS uses the POD to guide initial and supplemental development and when establishing the EOD. Depending on the facts in the case, the EOD may differ from the POD.

1. If the POD is earlier than the AOD and the medical evidence and other technical factors support the POD, establish the EOD at the POD.

2. If the POD is later than the AOD and you established the EOD at the POD, this would not be a fully favorable allowance. Prepare a personalized disability explanation (PDE), unless it is an exception listed in DI 26530.005D, and send it with an SSA-L1157-DI or SSA-L1157-SI. See DI 25501.280 Notifying Claimants of Partially Favorable Allowances.

3. Be aware that the POD may be in a previously adjudicated period, including a period decided by an administrative law judge (ALJ). If the FO sets a POD in a previously adjudicated period, the DDS must consider if a reopening is appropriate. Follow the instructions in DI 27510.005 Subsequent Claim Filed, C.2. DDS does not have authority to reopen, and DI 27510.005D. When a prior unfavorable Title II determination or decision cannot be reopened. See also, DI 11005.045A.1.c. Item 3, NOTE.

4. If, in Title II claims, the FO did not provide the POD or if evidence in file indicates that the POD is incorrect, contact the FO to clarify.

5. If, in Title XVI claims, evidence in file indicates that the POD should be a date other than the filing date or protective filing date, contact the FO to clarify.

The DDS may contact the jurisdictional FO by telephone, assistance request, or if there is an unresolved SGA issue, the DDS may return the claim to the FO. For more information on exchanging information between the FO and DDS, see:

• DI 10005.010 Field Office (FO) and Disability Determination Services (DDS) Exchange of Information and Coordination of Actions

• DI 10005.015 Case File Movement.

NOTE: There is no need to contact the FO to update the POD, but the DDS should provide and explain the correct POD in the DDE or an SSA-5002 Report of Contact if:

• The FO provided a POD as the day after SGA work ended (the correct POD is the last day of SGA), or

• The FO anticipated an unsuccessful work attempt (UWA) but the DDS found no UWA (see DI 24005.001).