POMS Reference

DI 81010: FO Procedures - Electronic Process

BASIC (01-08)

A. Overview

After transferring jurisdiction of an Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) case, use the UAT utility to:

  • Update certain Modernized Claims System (MCS) and/or Modernized Supplemental Security Income Claims System (MSSICS) changes in EDCS;

  • Add information to the Certified Electronic Folder (CEF) by creating an SSA – 5002 (Report of Contact) in EDCS;

  • Add a claim. To add a claim, at least one claim must already have been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Disability Determination Services (DDS) or the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR); or

  • Add an escalated claim to a case. To add an escalated claim, at least one claim must already be at the reconsideration or hearing level.

The “Summary of Updates” screen is broken down into tabs, “Mainframe Updates, Other Updates and Transfer Claims”. Review all tabs on the “Summary of Updates” screen prior to sending the UAT.

NOTE: Do not initiate the UAT when adding forms (such as eForms) or documents (such as faxing medical records) to the CEF. An automatic alert posts to the DDS and ODAR case processing systems when adding a document to a CEF.

The UAT process will be blocked in the following situations:

  • The claim effective filing date is more than 1 month later than the original claim effective filing date; or

  • A new claim is being added and the new claim is more than 18 months later than the EDCS case establishment date.

In these instances, the following edit message will be displayed:

Updates after Transfer can no longer be performed on this case. You will need to close any pending claim(s) using FO Determination and create a new case.

NOTE: UATs are not displayed and do not update the disability reports viewable in eView. Data updated from MCS and/or MSSICS is shown under the Case Data Tab in eView (see Case Data Tab - DI 81005.045. All UATs produce an alert and a “Record of Change” in eView (see Case Data Tab - DI 81005.045C.).

B. Updating Certain MCS/MSSICS Changes in EDCS

Once an EDCS case is transferred, EDCS locks and no changes can be made directly to the disability report forms. Limited data can be repropagated into EDCS (e.g., claimant name, address, and telephone number) using the UAT procedure. See Data Re-Propagation in Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) - DI 81010.045 for more information.

To update MCS/MSSICS information on a case after transfer of jurisdiction of an EDCS case:

  • Correct the information in MCS/MSSICS;

  • Open the case in EDCS;

  • Select “Transfer/Updates” on the toolbar at the top of the EDCS screen path;

    NOTE: Updates can only be processed on the last closed (or transferred) EDCS case; and

  • Review the changes on the “Summary of Updates” screen on the “Mainframe Updates” tab before processing the update.

NOTE: You must key in the office that currently has jurisdiction of the case as the office that will receive the electronic update upon processing the UAT.

C. Creating an SSA-5002 in EDCS

Add information to the CEF by creating an SSA-5002 in EDCS. Use this method if there is new or changed information that pertains to the disability report (e.g., new medication or a new source).

To update Disability Report information via an SSA-5002 in EDCS:

  • Open the case in EDCS;

  • Select “Transfer/Updates” on the toolbar at the top of the EDCS screen path;

  • Enter the new or changed information in the space provided; and

  • Review all changes on the “Summary of Updates” screen on the “Other Updates” tab before processing the update.

NOTE: You must key in the office that currently has jurisdiction of the case as the office that will receive the electronic update upon processing the UAT.

D. Adding a Claim to a Case

Use the UAT utility to add a claim to a case if at least one claim on the case has been transferred to the jurisdiction of the DDS. Upon receipt of the additional claim, it proves extremely important to route the claim to DDS as soon as possible to allow for efficient processing.

To add a claim in EDCS:

  • Open the case in EDCS;

  • Select “Transfer/Updates” on the toolbar at the top of the EDCS screen path; and

  • Select “Add a Claim” on the “Summary of Updates” screen on the “Mainframe Updates” tab.

REMINDERS for adding a claim:

  • It is never appropriate to use the UAT procedure when requiring new MCS/MSSICS applications for subsequent filings. If a new claim is taken in MCS and/or MSSICS, and there is not a pending claim at the current level or a higher adjudication level that permits the addition of an escalated claim, establish a new EDCS case.

  • If the UAT process is incorrectly used for a subsequent claim, the DDS does not receive a current EDCS 3368. Medical information submitted as a UAT cannot be linked with a new disability application and DDS does not know there is a new claim pending.

  • Never route an “added” claim to the Office of Quality Performance (OQP), even if a claim is pending at OQP. Send the “added” claim to DDS, who must first make a decision and then route the claim to OQP.

  • If the added claim is an EDCS exclusion, see Certified Electronic Folder (CEF) Exclusions - DI 81010.030 or instructions on converting the case to a paper Modular Disability Folder (MDF).

E. Adding an Escalated Claim to a Case

Use the UAT utility to add an escalated claim to a case if there is at least one claim at the reconsideration or hearing level, and a new claim needs to be escalated to that same level.

To add an escalated claim:

  • Open the case in EDCS;

  • Select “Transfer/Updates” on the toolbar at the top of the EDCS screen path; and

  • Select “Add a Claim” on the “Summary of Updates” screen on the “Mainframe Updates” tab.

NOTE: Never route an “escalated” claim to OQP, even if there is a pending claim in OQP.