BASIC (11-02)

POLICY

The month a presumptive disability/blindness (PDIPB) finding is made is considered to be the initial month of eligibility for computing the PD/PB payment. (See DI 11055.230). The month an application is filed (if earlier than the month the PD/PB determination is made) is not controlling. In a situation in which the effec­tive filing date is in the first month of a calendar quarter but the PD/PB determination is made in the second or third month of the quarter, the computation of PD/PB payments in the initial quarter of eligibility is monthly; (i.e., the effective filing date is deemed to be the first day of the month in which the PD/PB determination is made). This monthly computation is mandated by Regu­lations 20 CFR 416.952. A quarterly computation will be used to compute PD/PB payment in a subsequent quar­ter. Even though only one or two months of PD/PB pay­ments are made in the subsequent quarter income for the entire quarter is considered and apportioned over the 3 months. Systems input and force due/pay requirements are given in SM 01701.000 ff. All other computation rules in SI 02009.001-SI 02009.055 apply. See DI 11055.230 for PD/PB requirements. See SI 02009.025 for couple status change computations in situations where one member of a couple bas been deter­mined eligible and the other member starts or stops receiving PD/PB payments in the second or third month of a quarter. Short quarter computations will be used in the latter situations.

The payment amount will be recomputed when a final Allowance determination is made. A payment that was initially computed monthly may require a quarterly re-computation

1. Individual Record

Example 1:

Claim filed July 1981. PD/PB decision made August

Example 2:

Marcel Proust filed an SSI disability application on July 20.1981. A presumptive disability finding was made on August 23. Marcel receives a $125 employment related pension in the first month of each quarter and $50 in sup­port each month from his mother. On December 3, 1981, Marcel's claim is finally allowed effective July 198 1.

Originally, a monthly computation was made in the initial quarter of eligibility based on an August 1981 deemed initial month of eligibility. The computation will involve a quarterly computation for the period July 1981 to September 1981.

October-December 1981 (Payment made for October 1981, payments suspended in November and December 1981)

Example 3:

Same as above example except that the claim was filed September 2 and the PD determination is made October 8. Originally Mr. Proust is paid for October-December 1981; i.e., a quarterly computation is used. When the final allowance is received, payment will be made for Septem­ber 1981 based on a monthly computation.

2. Couples Record

Example:

A disability claim is filed in November 1981 by an in­dividual married to an eligible person. The DO makes a presumptive finding of disability effective with the month of filing. A short quarter computation combin­ing all of the couple's eligibility and benefit criteria for November and December is performed. Both mem­bers of the couple will receive equal monthly benefits for November and December. (See SI 02009.025.) A regular quarterly computation will be performed in January 1982. The disability determination is still pending after the three-month period for payment of presumptive benefits has elapsed.