In determining entitlement to a U.S. benefit under the U.S. - Icelandic Totalization
Agreement, take the following steps to assign Icelandic coverage:
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1.
If the claimant is filing for disability benefits, credit all possible foreign quarters
of coverage to the U.S. record.
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2.
If the claimant is filing for retirement or survivor benefits, credit only the number
of quarters required for insured status.
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3.
To determine the maximum possible number of foreign quarters (“F”) of coverage, divide
the number of months in each insurance period by 3 (the number of months in a quarter).
Consider any remainder of one foreign quarter.
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4.
If there is a period of coverage that begins or ends in the same calendar quarter
as another period of coverage, determine the number of “F” quarters for each period
separately.
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5.
Assign foreign quarters as follows:
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a.
Assign “F” quarters for each creditable period shown on the Iceland coverage certification
record starting with the calendar quarter in which the period begins and continuing
consecutively until all foreign quarters are assigned
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b.
Do not assign a foreign quarter in a calendar quarter where a U.S. quarter is already
assigned. When a U.S. quarter is assigned in the same period as an Icelandic period
of coverage for years 1977 or earlier, do not assign a foreign quarter of coverage
for that period. Begin assigning foreign quarters again in the next available quarter.
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c.
For years after 1977, assign U.S. quarters using the flexible crediting provision
to permit assigning the maximum number of foreign quarters. RS 00301.230
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d.
Do not skip over a foreign quarter assigned based on another period of Icelandic coverage.
If foreign quarters based on separate periods of Icelandic coverage fall with the
same calendar quarter, cancel one of the overlapping foreign quarters.
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6.
Process the award (assuming all other entitlement factors are met) if the worker is
insured for U.S. totalization benefits after crediting Icelandic coverage.
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7.
If the worker is not insured based on combined coverage and the claim is for disability
benefits or for survivor benefits paid based on currently insured status, re-credit
the foreign coverage. Follow GN 01772.110B step 4, except assign foreign quarters starting with the last available quarter of
each period and continuing backwards consecutively until all foreign quarters are
assigned.
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8.
If the worker does not meet insured status for U.S. totalization benefits after crediting
U.S. and Icelandic coverage, deny the claim.