SI 00870.005 Referrals To Other Agencies
A. POLICY FOR PASS REFERRALS
SSA will make referrals to appropriate public or private agencies if an
individual needs assistance in developing a plan. Although all SSA staff
is responsible for assisting the public, the PASS expert is principally
responsible for helping individuals interested in PASS.
B. PROCEDURE -- DEVELOP LISTS OF AGENCIES
1. General Information About PASS Referrals
The PASS expert should work with FO staff, the public affairs officer and
the work incentive liaisons, to develop and maintain (with the regional
office assistance, as needed) a current list of public and private
agencies and organizations in the general area that assist individuals in
developing a PASS. List as many groups as possible to ensure that the
individual has more than one option. See SI 00870.003B.1, existing
advocacy lists, and the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) publications for
the types and names of possible agencies.
2. Content of PASS Referral List
Make sure that the PASS referral list contains:
o the name and address of the agency/organization
o the name and telephone number of an agency contact person;
o the geographic area the agency services, if applicable;
o whether the agency/organization only serves people with certain
disabilities, if known; and
o any information as to whether the agency is likely to charge for
services, including PASS development charges.
3. Disclaimer for PASS Referral List
If the list is to be provided to potential PASS candidates, make sure it
contains a disclaimer to the effect that:
o SSA does not endorse any of the listed agencies;
o the list is compiled for the convenience of the public;
o an individual is not restricted to the agencies on the list; and
o the individual is solely liable for any contract signed with the
agency.
The disclaimer may read as follows: "For your convenience, we have listed
below some agencies and organizations that may help you if you want to
work. You are welcome to contact any of them. You may also contact
agencies and organizations not on the list. We provide this list for your
convenience, but we do not endorse anyone on it. If you sign a contract
with an agency, you alone are liable."
C. PROCEDURE -- REFERRAL
1. Selecting an Agency
a. Prior Contact With Agency
If the individual has had prior contact with a particular agency, refer
the individual to that agency, unless he/she prefers a different
agency. If so, follow SI 00870.005C.1.b.
b. No Prior Contact With Agency
If the individual has had no contact with any agency or does not wish to
re-contact a particular agency:
o provide the individual with a copy of the list of agencies which
will help develop a PASS;
o ask the individual to select an agency from the list or one of the
individual's own choosing; and
o advise the individual that the referral does not constitute SSA's
endorsement of the agency or its services and that fulfilling any
contractual obligations will be the person's, not SSA's,
responsibility.
2. Referral
Refer the individual to the agency using Form SSA-1407-U4 located at
DI 13501.035 Exhibit 1. Add pertinent information to the remarks section
of this form, as necessary.
If the agency is other than a State VR agency, attach a copy of the
signed release form (SSA-3288) as explained in SI 00870.004B.2.c.
NOTE: Use of Form SSA-1696-U4 requires the agency to include the person
as the representative in every SSA-related matter, not just PASS. (See GN03910.001.ff. for
more information about representatives.)
[Last Change: 09/00]