When an applicant files a claim for U.S. Totalization or foreign benefits, special evidence may be required to support the claim. The following sections describe the evidence requirements common to all agreements. Other special evidence required under a particular agreement is described in the POMS subchapter describing that agreement.

Evidence to support claims for U.S. Totalization benefits must be documented the same as claims for regular title II benefits. If the applicant is unable or unwilling to provide the required evidence, see GN 01010.410 and document the file regarding efforts to secure available evidence.

Evidence required to support claims for foreign benefits should be developed in accordance with GN 01702.215.