SSR 79-2c: SECTIONS 202(d)(1)(A) and 202(j)(1) (42 U.S.C. 402(d)(1)(A) and 402(j)(1)) APPLICATIONS -- FILING PREREQUISITE TO ENTITLEMENT -- RETROACTIVITY -- ESTOPPEL
20 CFR 404.320(a)(2) and 404.607(a)
SSR 79-2c
JOHNSON v. WEINBERGER, 572 F.2d 697 (9th Cir. 1975)
- At the time of the wage earner's death in July 1957, the Social Security Act did not provide benefits for a child adopted after the death of the wage earner by the wage earner's surviving spouse. In August 1957, the wage earner's surviving spouse completed the adoption of a child whom she and the wage earner had started to adopt prior to the wage earner's death. Also the surviving spouse applied for and received a lump-sum death payment in the same month. No claim was filed on behalf of the child. One year later, in 1958, Congress amended the Social Security Act to provide benefits for children adopted by the surviving spouse after the death of a wage earner.
- Fifteen years later the adopted child filed for benefits; they were awarded for the period beginning with the 12 months before the month the application was filed. The claimant now contends that even though no application was filed at an earlier date, he should receive benefits from the time the law was amended. He argues that he has a vested interest in the benefits which could not be divested by failing to file; that his incapacity (as a minor) should excuse his failure to file; and that estoppel applies because Social Security Administration employees prepared the documents filed by the surviving spouse. Held, an application is a substantive requirement for entitlement and in accordance with section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act, benefits may be retroactive only for 12 months from the date of the filing of an effective application. Further held, incapacity does not excuse failure to file. Further held, estoppel is inapplicable because the Social Security Administration is not mandated to review processed claims in light of subsequent amendments that grant further benefits.
ANDERSON, Circuit Judge:
The central issue on appeal is whether filing is a substantive condition to receiving benefits under the Social Security Act when the applicant is a minor seeking retroactive benefits. We hold it is and affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment upholding the Secretary's denial of retroactive benefits beyond one year.
In July 1957, Richard and Patricia Potts were in the process of adopting appellant, then an infant, when the wage earner, Mr. Potts, died. In August 1957, Mrs. Potts completed the adoption. At the same time, she applied for and later received lump-sum death benefits under the Social Security Act. A claim was not filed on appellant's behalf.
Fifteen years later appellant filed for and was granted Child Survivorship Benefits. Since 1958, when Congress amended the Act, appellant has been eligible for monthly benefits, but pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 402(j)(1),[1] benefits were paid retroactively for only 12 months.
Appellant first contends he had a vested interest in the benefits which could not be divested by failing to file. This contention ignores the explicit language of § 402 which makes filing a condition of entitlement.[2] Other courts have consistently held that a potential beneficiary's interest in the fund is not an accrued property right. Flemming v. Nestor, 363 U.S. 603 (1960); Guarino v. Celebrezze, 336 F.2d 336, 338 (3d Cir. 1964). And we agree: filing is a substantive condition of eligibility. Clark v. Celebrezze, 344 F.2d 479, 481 (1st Cir. 1965), cert. denied, 385 U.S. 817 (1966); Bender v. Celebrezze, 332 F.2d 113, 115 (7th Cir. 1964). Congressional intent is unmistakable: § 402(j)(1) explicitly limits retroactive benefits to one year prior to filing. See Ewing v. Risher, 176 F.2d 641 (10th Cir. 1949) (construing § 402(h) which provided for retroactive payments for three months and which was amended and redesignated § 402(j) in 1950).
Incapacity does not excuse failure to file. See Coy v. Folsom, 228 F.2d 276, 278-79 (3d Cir. 1955) (mental incompetence); cf. Stanton v. Weinberger, 502 F.2d 315 (10th Cir. 1974) (applies rule, by implication, to minor child). Though this conclusion may seem harsh, we must follow the plain mandate of Congress when, as here, it is acting within its powers to prescribe conditions and limitations as a means of preserving the fiscal integrity of the fund. See Flemming v. Nestor, 363 U.S. at 611-12; cf. Stanton v. Weinberger, 502 F.2d at 320 (nondiscriminatory, rational classifications are a valid means of furthering government's legitimate interest in fund's integrity); Ewing v. Risher, 176 F.2d at 644 (Congress may define and restrict statutory rights by imposing time limits).
Appellant also contends an estoppel arises because Social Security Administration employees prepared the document for Mrs. Potts and were aware of the child's status. Whatever merit this argument may have in the abstract,[3] it is here inappropriate since the amendments which made appellant eligible for benefits were passed a year after Mrs. Potts filed. Cf. Kurz v. Celebrezze, 225 F.Supp. 528 (E.D.N.Y. 1963). The Social Security Administration is not duty bound to review every processed claim in light of subsequent amendments which grant further benefits. Cf. Thompson v. Richardson, 452 F.2d 911, 915 (2d Cir. 1971); 1 CCH Unempl. Ins. Rep. ¶ 12,555 at 1309-10 (1976).
Appellant's other contentions have been examined closely and determined to be meritless.
AFFIRMED.
[1] "(j) Application for monthly insurance benefits. (1) An individual who would have been entitled to a benefit under subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) for any month after August 1950 had he filed application therefor prior to the end of such month shall be entitled to such benefit for such month if he files application therefore prior to the end of the twelfth month immediately succeeding such month."
42 U.S.C. § 402(j)(1).
[2] "(d) Child's insurance benefits. (1) Every child (as defined in section 416(e)) of an individual entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, or of an individual who dies a fully or currently insured individual, if such child --
- (A) has filed application for child's insurance benefits,
- (B) at the time such application was filed was unmarried and (i) either had not attained the age of 18 or was a full-time student and had not attained the age of 22, or (ii) is under a disability (as defined in section 223(d)) which began before he attained the age of 22, and
- (C) was dependent upon such individual --
* * * * *
shall be entitled to a child's insurance benefit. . . ." 42 U.S.C. § 402(d)(1).
[3] Cf, Filice v. Celebrezze, 319 F.2d 443, 446 (9th Cir. 1963); Feil v. Gardner, 281 F.Supp. 983, 985 (E.D. Wis. 1968), aff'd per curiam, 402 F.2d 418 (1968); Flamm v. Ribicoff, 203 F.Supp. 507, 510 (S.D.N.Y. 1961).
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