Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

eferred to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for investigation to determine if the claimant has
in fact earned wages for the period under consideration. If so, the CE may invoke forfeiture
proceedings as described in paragraph 11. Benefits may not be suspended for failure to complete
Form SSA-581, however, as authorization to obtain reports from SSA is not a requirement for
receipt of compensation.
b. Report from the Social Security Administration (SSA). When information of any kind is
received suggesting possible employment or earnings, the CE should release Form CA-1036 to SSA
in cases where compensation is being paid on the periodic roll for total disability. Based on the
circumstances in the case, it may also be necessary to send the Form CA-1036 to SSA in cases
where compensation is being paid based on a loss of wage-earning capacity. Form CA-1036 need
not be sent every year in every case, but should be sent when there is evidence of earnings that
requires further development. The following steps should be taken to obtain wage information from
SSA:
(1) Form CA-1036 must be accompanied by a signed release from the claimant on Form
SSA-581. The CE should use the most recent Form SSA-581 completed by the claimant.
Form SSA-581 is valid for only 60 days from the date signed by the claimant; hence, the CE
should check the date the SSA-581 was signed before releasing the CA-1036. If the
SSA-581 is older than 60 days, the CE must reissue a CA-935 with a new SSA-581 to the
claimant for completion before sending a CA-1036 to SSA.
(2) Include the claimant's full name, Social Security number, and date of birth in the
spaces provided.
(3) If the amount of earnings is needed, specify this in the request and indicate the
period for which the information is requested. The wage data from SSA is recorded on a
quarterly basis (i.e., January through March, April through June, July through September,
and October through December). The information will not be subdivided into smaller units.
(4) Because of a six-month time lag in recording wage information, SSA is unable to
supply information for the six or nine-month period immediately preceding the date of the
request. Where the most current information available is desired, the request should show
the end of the period as "to date."
(5) The costs to OWCP for supplying the information are related directly to the period of
time covered by the request. Therefore, the CE should insure that the information is truly
needed and that the request does not cover a longer period than necessary for the proper
handling of the claim. Particular care should be exercised where the request concerns a
period in excess of five years. The request should not include any period for which
information has previously been requested from SSA.
(6) If the names and addresses of employers are needed, specify this in the request and
indicate the period for which the information is requested. The names and addresses of
the employers are obtained from a record other than that which reflects the earnings.
OWCP must reimburse SSA for the cost of assembling this information and transcribing it.
FECA-PT2 Printed: 06/08/2010 385