f. Determing Absent evidence to the contrary, accept as credible a statement from a the Credibility beneficiary or claimant that no SSN has been assigned or requested, unless of a Statement the individual who reportedly has no SSN That No SSN Has Been receives Social Security or other Federal benefits, or Assigned or has an account at a bank or other financial institution. Requested When the conditions described in the above bullets exist, follow the instructions in the table below. Important: Do accept certification that no SSN has been assigned or requested; not oral a signature is required. “wet” Beneficiaries/claimants may submit the certified statement referenced in this block electronically, in person, or by mail. Step Action 1 Determine if VA is already paying benefits to or for the individual who reportedly has no SSN. If proceed to the next step. yes, If proceed to Step 4. no, 2 Issue notice of proposed adverse action to the beneficiary. In the notice, ask the beneficiary to furnish a statement from SSA confirming that SSA has not assigned an SSN to the individual in question, and inform the beneficiary that VA will discontinue benefits payable to or for the individual in question if the beneficiary does not provide the statement within 60 days. For more information about issuing notice of Reference: proposed adverse action, see M21-1, Part I, 2.B. 3 Determine if the beneficiary provide the statement from SSA within 65 days of the date of the notice of proposed adverse action. If yes, notify the beneficiary that VA will not take the action proposed in the notice of proposed adverse action, and disregard the remaining steps in this table. If no, discontinue benefits payable to or for the individual in question effective the first of the month following the month for which VA last paid benefits to or for the individual notify the beneficiary of the action taken, and
f. Determing the Credibility of a Statement That No SSN Has Been Assigned or Requested Absent evidence to the contrary, accept as credible a statement from a beneficiary or claimant that no SSN has been assigned or requested, unless the individual who reportedly has no SSN receives Social Security or other Federal benefits, or has an account at a bank or other financial institution. When the conditions described in the above bullets exist, follow the instructions in the table below. Important: Do not accept oral certification that no SSN has been assigned or requested; a “wet” signature is required. Beneficiaries/claimants may submit the certified statement referenced in this block electronically, in person, or by mail. Step Action 1 Determine if VA is already paying benefits to or for the individual who reportedly has no SSN. If yes, proceed to the next step. If no, proceed to Step 4. 2 Issue notice of proposed adverse action to the beneficiary. In the notice, ask the beneficiary to furnish a statement from SSA confirming that SSA has not assigned an SSN to the individual in question, and inform the beneficiary that VA will discontinue benefits payable to or for the individual in question if the beneficiary does not provide the statement within 60 days. Reference: For more information about issuing notice of proposed adverse action, see M21-1, Part I, 2.B. 3 Determine if the beneficiary provide the statement from SSA within 65 days of the date of the notice of proposed adverse action. If yes, notify the beneficiary that VA will not take the action proposed in the notice of proposed adverse action, and disregard the remaining steps in this table. If no, discontinue benefits payable to or for the individual in question effective the first of the month following the month for which VA last paid benefits to or for the individual notify the beneficiary of the action taken, and
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