The acronym POMS means Program Operations Manual System, a set of operational guidelines used as a reference by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to conduct its daily social security activities.
The POMS is divided into the following sections:
- Records Maintenance
- General
- Retirement and Survivors Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Health Insurance
- Notices, Letters, and Paragraphs
- Special Veterans Benefits
- Title II Regional Chief Counsel Precedents
- Title XVI Regional Chief Counsel Precedents
- State and Local Coverage Handbook
- Data Exchange
Some POMS’ internal data entry and sensitive instructions are not available for public consultation and may be accessed only by authorized SSA personnel.
[Last updated in July of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]