(PPD-2)
SSR 78-6
SSR 78-6: PROOF OF AGE -- NEW DEVELOPMENT
PURPOSE: To facilitate proof-of-age development.
CITATIONS (AUTHORITY): Social Security Act, Section 205; Commissioner's Decision dated April 7, 1969; memorandum from the Office of Research and Statistics, Evaluation and Measurement System Staff, to the Office of Policy and Regulations dated October 10, 1975.
PERTINENT HISTORY: The Social Security Administration has utilized Evaluation and Measurement System (EMS) statistical data to assist in developing evidence policies since 1968. In the proof-of-age area data from the EMS comprehensive evidence of age study is used to determine the validity of certain types of documents in establishing claimants' dates of birth. The types of proof that yield an acceptable error rate under certain conditions are regarded as "convincing;" i.e., if such proofs yield a low enough error rate, they may be used, in the event a public record of birth or church record of birth or baptism established or recorded before age five is unavailable, to establish the date of birth without a written determination. Findings from this study have enabled SSA to list several documents in the policy guidelines over the years that may be regarded as "convincing" where there is no discrepancy in file and the document is in substantial agreement with the BDP record (or in the absence of a Bureau of Data Processing record, a marriage record established before age thirty-six) and the claimant's allegation. Now, EMS data provide a statistical basis for including the 1930 census among these documents.
POLICY DIRECTIVE STATEMENT: If no public record of birth or church record of birth or baptism established or recorded before age five is available, and there is no age discrepancy in the claims file, a 1930 United States Census may be used to establish a claimant's date of birth without a written determination if the age shown is in substantial agreement with the claimant's allegation and that shown in a BDP record established at least 5 years before the date of filing. (If there is no BDP record established 5 years before the date of filing, a marriage record established before age thirty-six may be substituted for the BDP record.)
DOCUMENTATION: Documentation that no public record of birth or church record of birth or baptism established or recorded before age five is available.
FURTHER INFORMATION: This will aid in developing the claims of numerous persons applying for benefits now for whom earlier evidence of age is not available, particularly individuals born in the southern United States.
CROSS REFERENCE: Claims Manual Sections 2206.8 and 2207.