Update: Presumptive Disability/Presumptive Blindness Programs Operations Manual System
Date:
Dear Colleague,
On April 14, 2022, we revised our internal policies, known as Program Operations Manual System (POMS), for Presumptive Disability and Presumptive Blindness (PD/PB). The revised POMS are available here.
We modified the POMS language to potentially make it easier for and to encourage our adjudicators to make PD or PB findings for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims when appropriate. We also added four categories to consider as having potential for a PD finding.
A PD/PB finding for SSI means that the evidence we have demonstrates that there is a strong likelihood a condition will result in a favorable disability decision once we receive complete evidence. When we make a PD/PB finding, a claimant may receive up to 6 months of payments prior to final adjudication. If we can make a formal disability determination with the evidence we have, we do not make a PD/PB finding.
Please share this information with your clients, members, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties.
If you have any questions, please contact us at OEA.Net.Post@ssa.gov.
Sincerely,
Dawn Bystry
Deputy Associate Commissioner
Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
@SSAOutreach