Effective Dates: 03/08/2019 - Present Previous | Next

Basic (03-19)

GN 01757.210 Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for Brazilian Benefits

Under the agreement with Brazil, we accept applications for both regular and totalization benefits on behalf of Brazil and provide limited assistance to obtain evidence to support the claim (see GN 01757.125).

A. Use evidence previously submitted for claims for U.S. benefits

Applicants do not need to resubmit the evidence previously used and verified to establish factors of entitlement for U.S. Social Security benefits. The evidence previously submitted is sufficient for Brazil to establish the same factors for Brazilian benefits.

B. Establishing Entitlement Factors for Brazilian old-age, survivor, and disability benefits

1. All Claims

Establish entitlement factors with the:

  • •

    worker’s date of birth; and

  • •

    worker’s Brazilian social security number (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas--CPF number, or the Brazilian Workers Identification Number--NIT)

2. Old-age claims

Establish entitlement factors as follows:

  • •

    marital status;

  • •

    family composition;

  • •

    dates of birth of all family members; and

  • •

    disability status of family members.

3. Survivor claims

Establish entitlement factors as follows:

  • •

    date and proof of death of the worker;

  • •

    date of marriage (if widow(er)’s benefit claim); • widow(er)’s disability status (if widow(er)’s benefit claim);

  • •

    age and relationship of child (if child’s benefit claim); and

  • •

    disability status of children.

4. Disability claims

  • •

    age of worker;

  • •

    degree of disability (medical evidence).

C. Develop evidence for Brazilian benefits

Take the actions in this section to develop evidence to support claims for Brazilian benefits.

1. Research the types of evidence

Instruct the applicant what evidence to submit, see the following sections:

2. Accept Evidence

Follow the process to accept evidence:

  • •

    Accept all evidence the applicant submits;

  • •

    If the applicant does not want to release an original document, photocopy the evidence and certify the copy, (see GN 00301.105);

  • •

    do not hold claims for Brazilian benefits for prolonged periods pending receipt of evidence;

  • •

    if an applicant is unable to obtain the necessary evidence within a reasonable time, transmit the claim without the evidence to Division of International Operations (DIO) to:

Social Security Administration

Office of Earnings and International Operations Division of International Operations

P.O. Box 17769

Baltimore, MD 21235-7769
  • •

    Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the field office (FO) sent the Brazilian claim to DIO. Show “Totalization” as the ISSUE;

  • •

    Inform the applicant that the responsible Brazilian agency will contact him or her directly to obtain the necessary evidence to make a determination.

3. Document and send the file

To document and send the Brazilian benefits claim file:

  • •

    Indicate any factor of entitlement verified previously for the United States claim on the Brazilian benefits claim file; and

  • •

    Send the claim and relevant evidence to the Program Service Center of jurisdiction for concurrent Title II claims. Electronically send a certified photocopy of the relevant evidence with the Brazilian claim to DIO.

4. Obtain the NH's U.S. earnings record

Obtain the NH’s United States earnings record in all claims for Brazilian benefits:

  • •

    When the applicant files for both U.S. and Brazilian benefits, complete the Modernized Claims System (MCS) screens. The MCS screens automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Brazilian claim.

  • •

    When the applicant files for Brazilian benefits only (a complex MCS exclusion), request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MS ICERS 001.004.

  • •

    Obtain proof of lag earnings (unposted paid earnings in the current and preceding year) if the applicant alleges U.S. covered work in the lag period and the applicant is filing for any Brazilian benefit. For proof of lag wages, see RS 01404.005 through RS 01404.018. For proof of lag self-employment income, see RS 01804.100.

5. Develop medical evidence under the agreement

In addition to developing other evidence as described above, take the following actions to develop medical evidence for Brazilian disability claims:

a. Brazilian benefits only

1. Accept all medical evidence the applicant wishes to submit when the claim is for Brazilian benefits only. Do not attempt to secure evidence for the applicant or offer advice as to any additional evidence Brazil may need (see GN 01757.210C1).

2. Send all medical evidence submitted and the claims file to DIO:

Social Security Administration

Office of Earnings and International Operations Division of International Operations

P.O. Box 17769

Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769

3.Complete the MDW screen to show the date the FO sent the Brazilian claim to DIO. Show “Totalization” as the ISSUE.

4. Transmit the file without medical evidence if the evidence is not readily available. Advise the applicant that the Brazilian agency will contact him or her directly to obtain any required evidence.

D. References

GN 01757.125, Application Process for Brazilian Benefits Under the Agreement with Brazil

GN 00302.000 Proof of Age – Table of Contents

GN 00304.000 Proof of Death – Table of Contents

GN 00305.000 Proof of Marital Relationship -- Table of Contents

GN 00306.000 Child Relationship and Dependency – Table of Contents

RS 01301.000 Living with, Contributions and One-Half Support – Table of Contents

GN 00301.105 Certification of Evidence for Totalization Claims

MS ICERS 001.004 Informational/Certified Earnings Record-Totalization (ICIC)

MS MCS 009.011 Totalization (TOTL)

GN 01702.400 Developing Medical Evidence in Claims for U.S. Totalization Disability Benefits

GN 01702.415 Development of Medical Evidence and Routing of Claims for Foreign Disability Benefits

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201757210
GN 01757.210 - Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for Brazilian Benefits - 03/08/2019
Batch run: 03/08/2019
Rev:03/08/2019