Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Requests for Information From the Social Security Administration (SSA)

In This Section

Introduction

• information-sharing requirements
• general information about making a request, and
• safeguarding records VA receives from SSA.

Change Date

III.ii.1.B.1.a. Information-Sharing Requirements

III.ii.1.B.1.b. General Information About Making a Request

III.ii.1.B.1.c. Safeguarding Records VA Receives From SSA

• FTI, see M21-1, Part XIV, 4.A, and
• safeguarding FTI, see M21-1, Part XIV, 4.B.

Introduction

• SSA Government-to-Government Services Online (SSA-GSO)
• regional office (RO) responsibilities with regard to the use of SSA-GSO
• procedures for requesting SSA records through the SSA-GSO interface
• following-up on SSA-GSO requests
• accessing records through the SSA-GSO interface, and
• types of records SSA provides to VA.

Change Date

III.ii.1.B.2.a. SSA-GSO

III.ii.1.B.2.b. RO Responsibilities With Regard to the Use of SSA-GSO

• request records through the SSA-GSO website, and
• follow the format for the requests as outlined in the SSA-GSO User Guide.

• Authorization Designee
• Super User, and
• Alternate Super User.

• Super User responsibilities, e-mail Compensation Service at VAVBAWAS/CO/SSA-GSO, and
• alternative SSA records request method, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.B.7.

III.ii.1.B.2.c. Procedures for Requesting SSA Records Through the SSA-GSO Interface

• submitting a request for disability records from SSA through SSA-GSO
• documenting the request, and
• placing the request in the claims folder.

III.ii.1.B.2.d. Following-up on SSA-GSO Requests

III.ii.1.B.2.e. Accessing Records Through the SSA-GSO Interface

III.ii.1.B.2.f. Types of Records SSA Provides to VA

• either a photocopy of the evidence or a certification on SSA Form 704, Certification of Contents of Document(s) or Record(s), which is acceptable for VA purposes, if other requirements are met, and
• a statement signed by an SSA employee on the back of each photocopy, showing
  • whether or not the original document appears to be genuine
  • the purported age of the document, and
  • whether there appear to be any alterations to the original document.

Introduction

• definition of FOLQ
• purpose of FOLQ
• how to access FOLQ, and
• when to use FOLQ.

Change Date

III.ii.1.B.3.a. Definition: FOLQ

III.ii.1.B.3.b. Purpose of FOLQ

• verification of Social Security numbers (SSNs)
• Title II, Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance data
• Title XVI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) data, and
• a limited payment history file.

III.ii.1.B.3.c. How to Access FOLQ

III.ii.1.B.3.d. When to Use FOLQ

• vital information, such as SSN, address, and/or date of birth and death
• Social Security benefit information
• unearned income history, and
• SSI information.

Introduction

• using the SSA INQUIRY functionality in VBMS, and
• combined SSA payment to a
  • Veteran and spouse, and
  • surviving spouse and child(ren).

Change Date

III.ii.1.B.4.a. Using the SSA INQUIRY Functionality in VBMS

• Veteran
• Veteran’s spouse or surviving spouse
• Veteran’s surviving child(ren), or
• Veteran’s parent(s).

• the Veteran’s/claimant’s
  • name
  • SSN
  • date of birth, and
  • VA file number, and
• the reason for inquiry for each individual for whom information is needed.

III.ii.1.B.4.b. Combined SSA Payment to a Veteran and Spouse

• both the wage earner and spouse reside at the same address
• neither spouse
  • is incompetent, nor
  • voices any objection to combining of the payment, and
• no other reason exists that would make combining of the payment undesirable, such as entitlement by the dependent spouse to old-age insurance or Social Security benefits on their own account.

III.ii.1.B.4.c. Combined SSA Payment to a Surviving Spouse and Child(ren)

Introduction

• functions of SSA field offices, and
• contacting SSA field offices.

Change Date

III.ii.1.B.5.a. Functions of SSA Field Offices

• applying for new or replacement Social Security cards
• applying for Social Security and SSI benefits
• making changes to benefits information, and
• assisting eligible Medicare beneficiaries with the cost of their prescription drugs under the Medicare Prescription Drug Program.

III.ii.1.B.5.b. Contacting SSA Field Offices

• determine the address of the nearest SSA field office, and/or
• obtain contact information for a specific SSA field office.

Introduction

• locations where SSA files are maintained
• functions of PSCs, and
• directing questions to the appropriate PSC.

Change Date

III.ii.1.B.6.a. Locations Where SSA Files Are Maintained

III.ii.1.B.6.b. Functions of PSCs

• favorable Title II Disability Determination Services and Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) Disability Hearing Office (DHO) reconsidered determinations
• favorable Administrative Law Judge and Appeals Council disability decisions, and
• ODAR’s DHO Title II cessation determinations when they involve vocational rehabilitation.

III.ii.1.B.6.c. Directing Questions to the Appropriate PSC

• Although SSNs are composed of nine digits, grouped as ###-##-####, identify the appropriate PSC by referring to the first three digits of the SSN.
• Each PSC services cases within a specified range of account numbers, regardless of the place of residence or the place of death of the holder of the account number.

• calculating historical rates, see
  • M21-1, Part XIV, 2.A.2.d, and
  • the SSA Retro Calculator on the Pension and Fiduciary Service Intranet page, and
• SSA cost-of-living adjustment calculations, see M21-1, Part IX, Subpart iii, 1.B.3.g.

Introduction

• when ROs should fax requests for disability records to SSA
• instructions for faxing requests for disability records to SSA
• following up on faxed requests to SSA for disability records, and
• exhibit of SSA Form SSANRC-15 , FAX Request for Medical Records/Information from the Social Security Administration National Record Center (SSANRC).

Change Date

III.ii.1.B.7.a. When ROs Should Fax Requests for Disability Records to SSA

III.ii.1.B.7.b. Instructions for Faxing Requests for Disability Records to SSA

III.ii.1.B.7.c. Following Up on Faxed Requests to SSA for Disability Records

• sending the claimant a final notification letter, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.A.1.e, and
• the appropriate tracked item for requests for SSA medical records, see M21-4, Appendix D.

III.ii.1.B.7.d. Exhibit: SSA Form SSANRC-15