M21-1 Manual  /  Part XIV, Chapter 3

Routine Review of Running Awards to 100-Year-Old Beneficiaries

M21-1, Part XIV, Chapter 3

Overview

In This Chapter

 This chapter contains the following topics:
TopicTopic Name
1 General Information on the Routine Review of Running Awards to 100-Year-Old Beneficiaries
2 Processing End Product (EP) 130 Generated to Initiate the Review of a Running Award to a 100-Year-Old Beneficiary

1. General Information on the Routine Review of Running Awards to 100-Year-Old Beneficiaries

Introduction

 This topic contains general information on the routine review of running awards to 100-year-old beneficiaries, including
  • purposes of the review, and
  • identification of 100-year-old beneficiaries.

Change Date

 November 6, 2023

XIV.3.1.a. Purposes of the Review

 The purposes of the review discussed in this chapter are to verify
  • the accuracy of dates of birth (DOBs) in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) corporate record
  • beneficiaries are alive, and
  • Social Security income is being properly counted on the VA award in income-dependent cases.
Note: Questions about the review may be e-mailed to VAVBAWAS/CO/212A.

XIV.3.1.b. Identification of 100-Year-Old Beneficiaries

 On an annual basis, the Hines Information Technology Center will auto-establish an end product (EP) 130 100-Year Review for compensation claims or PMC 100-Year Review for pension and survivor claims, for all Veterans and beneficiaries who are age 100 or older based on the payee’s DOB in the corporate record. Notes:
  • The individuals the system identifies may not actually be 100 years old. This occurs when a fictitious or erroneous DOB exists in the corporate record. If the DOB is erroneous, update the erroneous data elements using the appropriate VA systems.
  • Pension and survivor benefit recipients are only reviewed every five years starting at age 100. However, all foreign pension and survivor beneficiaries are reviewed annually starting at age 100.
References: For more information on

2. Processing EP 130 Generated to Initiate the Review of a Running Award to a 100-Year-Old Beneficiary

Introduction

 This topic contains information on processing EP 130 generated to initiate the review of a running award to a 100-year-old beneficiary, including
  • first step in processing EP 130 for 100-Year Review
  • actions to take when the attempt to access data in Social Security Administration (SSA) records is
    • successful, and
    • unsuccessful
  • handling cases of fraud, and
  • verifying vital information and proof of life when the beneficiary has no Social Security number (SSN) or lives in a foreign country.

Change Date

 June 26, 2026

XIV.3.2.a. First Step in Processing EP 130 for 100-Year Review

 Following establishment of EP 130, referenced in M21-1, Part XIV, 3.1.b, attempt to make the verifications described in M21-1, Part XIV, 3.1.a, using data in Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which users may access through the Federal Online Query System (FOLQ) using the SSA INQUIRY function in the Veterans Benefits Management System. References: For more information on the actions to take when the attempt to access data in SSA records through FOLQ is
  • successful, see M21-1, Part XIV, 3.2.b, and
  • unsuccessful, see M21-1, Part XIV, 3.2.c.

XIV.3.2.b. Actions to Take When the Attempt to Access Data in SSA Records Is Successful

 Compare the SSA data from the FOLQ to the existing beneficiary’s profile information in VA systems by matching the name, date of birth, and date of death (if applicable) and save a copy of the SSA INQUIRY results to the beneficiary’s electronic claims folder per M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.B.3.c. Important: The SSA INQUIRY results display VBMS beneficiary data first followed by SSA’s data at the bottom of the results. When reviewing the results, claims processors must review the SSA data for comparison. Use the table below to determine the actions to take on EP 130 referenced in M21-1, Part XIV, 3.1.b, after reviewing the SSA INQUIRY results.
If SSA INQUIRY results show ...Then ...
updated vital information, such as DOB, Social Security number (SSN), and so forth
  • update any erroneous data element(s) in the appropriate VA systems, and
  • clear EP 130.
Reference: For more information on evidence required to change or correct existing vital information about a beneficiary, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 3.B.
  • the beneficiary is not alive, and
  • the award is not in suspense due to the Death Master File (DMF) match
  • discontinue the award under EP 130, based on the date of death shown in SSA INQUIRY results, and
  • furnish contemporaneous notice of the action taken.
Note: A Veteran’s award should be discontinued using the FIRST NOTICE OF DEATH (FNOD) command. Follow the procedures in M21-1, Part XI, Subpart i, 1.B.2.a and M21-1, Part XI, Subpart i, 1.A. The FNOD will clear any pending EPs.
  • the beneficiary is not alive, and
  • the award is in suspense due to the DMF match
follow the procedures in M21-1, Part XIV, 2.B.
  • the beneficiary is alive, and
  • no changes are needed to vital information
 clear EP 130. Important: If the beneficiary is receiving pension or survivor benefits, review to ensure Social Security income is properly counted as listed on the row below and establish an EP 150 when necessary.
the beneficiary receives Social Security benefits verify that any Social Security benefits are being properly counted on any award of income-dependent VA benefits.
  • If the income is being properly counted,
    • clear EP 150, and
    • take no further action.
    • If the income is not properly counted, and a corresponding adjustment to the beneficiary’s award
      • would not result in a reduction of benefits, make the award adjustment under EP 150, or
      • would result in a reduction of benefits,
        • clear EP 150
        • establish EP 600, and
        • furnish a notice of proposed adverse action for an adjustment based on the rate and effective date of the Social Security benefits.
    Note: If additional information is needed before proposing an adjustment, undertake development under EP 150. Reference: For more information on providing a notice of proposed adverse action, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 3.B.
Reference: For more information on EPs, see M21-4, Appendix B.

XIV.3.2.c. Actions to Take When the Attempt to Access Data in SSA Records Is Unsuccessful

 Use the table below to determine the actions to take on the EP 130 referenced in M21-1, Part XIV, 3.1.b, when the attempt to access data in SSA records through FOLQ is unsuccessful.
StepAction
1 Does a review of the claims folder reveal a name, SSN, or DOB that differs from the name, SSN, or DOB in the corporate record?
  • If yes,
    • update the system using the name, SSN, and/or DOB identified in the claims folder
    • make another attempt to access data in the beneficiary’s SSA records through FOLQ, and
    • go to the next step.
  • If no, (claims folder did not reveal any changes), go to
    • Step 3 if the beneficiary is receiving compensation, or
    • Step 4 if the beneficiary is receiving pension or survivor benefits.
2 Was the attempt to access data in the beneficiary’s SSA records through FOLQ successful?
  • If yes,
    • disregard the remaining steps in this table, and
    • follow the instructions in M21-1, Part XIV, 3.2.b.
  • If no, go to
    • Step 3 if the beneficiary is receiving compensation, or
    • Step 4 if the beneficiary receiving pension or survivor benefits.
3
  • Add the Potential Under/Overpayment special issue if the beneficiary is receiving disability compensation, and
  • go to the next step.
Reference: For more information on the purpose of the Potential Under/Overpayment special issue, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart i, 2.D.3.a.
4
  • Attempt to contact the beneficiary by telephone, requesting confirmation of the individual’s
    • name
    • SSN, and
    • DOB.
  • Advise the beneficiary that
    • this information is required, and
    • failure to provide the information will result in a termination of payments.
Note: Follow the instructions in M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.D.1.e, when obtaining information from a beneficiary by telephone.
5 Was information required to successfully access data in the beneficiary’s SSA records through FOLQ obtained from the beneficiary?
  • If yes,
    • disregard the remaining step in this table, and
    • follow the instructions in M21-1, Part XIV, 3.2.b.
  • If no, write to the beneficiary,
    • explaining that the information provided did not match SSA records
    • asking for a statement from SSA showing the beneficiary’s
      • SSN, and
      • DOB, and
    • allow 30 days for a response.
6 If, after 30 days from the date of the written request, the beneficiary fails to provide the information required to successfully access SSA records through FOLQ,
  • clear EP 130
  • establish EP 600, 100-Year Review for compensation or PMC 100-Year Review for pension and survivor beneficiaries, and
  • send a notice of proposed adverse action proposing to terminate benefits from the date of inception under the provisions of 38 CFR 3.652(a)(1).

XIV.3.2.d. Handling Cases of Fraud

 If there is an indication that someone is or was fraudulently receiving the benefits of a deceased beneficiary, follow the procedures in M21-1, Part X, Subpart iv, 3.A.

XIV.3.2.e. Verifying Vital Information and Proof of Life When the Beneficiary Has No SSN or Lives in a Foreign Country

 If the beneficiary has no SSN and/or lives in a foreign country, verification of vital information is not available through FOLQ. Review the claims folder for a written certified statement stating the beneficiary was not assigned an SSN per M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.B.1.b. To confirm the beneficiary is still alive send the beneficiary a 30-day development letter requesting a
  • statement on VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, that clearly identifies them as a living beneficiary (signed by the claimant)
  • copy of their unexpired government issue identification card
  • corroborating statement from someone who knows them well, and
  • certified statement (if one is not already of record) stating no SSN was assigned.
Follow the table below for the actions to take after expiration of the 30-day development period.
If the beneficiary ...Then ...
responds by providing all documents requested Update any vital information needed and clear EP 130. No further action is necessary.
  • does not respond, or
  • provides only partial information requested
  • Clear EP 130
  • establish EP 600, PMC 100 Year Review, and
  • send notice of proposed adverse action proposing to terminate benefits from the date of inception if all the documents requested in the development letter are not provided.

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Source: VA M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, M21-1, Part XIV, Chapter 3 (U.S. government work, reproduced for reference). Browse all sections →