(a) General. If the plan sponsor determines that the plan's resource benefit level for an insolvency year is below the level of benefits guaranteed by PBGC or that the plan will be unable to pay guaranteed benefits when due for any month during the year, the plan sponsor shall apply to the PBGC for financial assistance pursuant to
section 4261 of ERISA. The application shall be filed within the time prescribed in
paragraph (b) of this section. When the resource benefit level is below the guarantee level, the application shall contain the information set forth in
paragraph (c) of this section. When the plan is unable to pay guaranteed benefits for any month, the application shall contain the information set forth in
paragraph (d) of this section.