Basic (08-94)

GN 01726.110 How to Credit Dutch Coverage

A. Policy

The Dutch coverage certification is used to assign foreign (F) quarters of coverage to the earnings record.

  • All periods of coverage certified by the Netherlands are creditable, except periods prior to 1957 and periods which are later than the date of certification.

  • The presence of Dutch coverage after onset is not necessarily an indication of work. Development of substantial gainful activity should not be initiated based only on the presence of such Dutch coverage.

  • There is no minimum amount of Dutch coverage which must be earned before the U.S. can use it.

B. Procedure

Follow these steps to assign Dutch coverage.

 

STEP ACTION
1 If the claimant is filing for disability benefits on this record, assure that coverage records have been obtained from both SVB and UWV and credit all possible F quarters of coverage to the FCER. (See GN-01726.320 for an explanation and exception.)
2 If the claimant is filing for retirement or survivor benefits on this record, credit only the number of quarters required for insured status.
3 Determine the number of months of Dutch coverage within each “from-to” period. (Remember that all months within a period are coverage months even if there is only one day of coverage).
4 Determine the maximum possible number of FQCs as follows:
Divide the number of months of coverage in each insurance period by 3 (the number of months in a calendar quarter) to determine the maximum possible number of FQCs for that period. Any remainder is considered 1 FQC.
5 If there is a “from-to” period which begins or ends in the same calendar quarter as another “from-to” period, determine FQCs for each period separately.
 

6

Assign FQCs as follows:

  • Assign FQCs for each creditable period of Dutch coverage starting with the calendar quarter in which the period begins and continuing consecutively until all FQCs are assigned.

  • Do not assign FQCs after the calendar quarter in which the Dutch period ends.

  • Do not assign an FQC in a calendar quarter where a U.S. QC is already assigned. When a U.S. QC is assigned within a Dutch period, credit FQCs up to that quarter and begin again in the next available quarter.

  • For years after 1977, assign existing U.S. QCs using the flexible crediting provision so as to permit assigning the maximum number of FQCs. (See RS-00301.230 regarding the assignment of QCs).

  • Do not skip over an FQC that was assigned based on another Dutch period. (If FQCs based on separate Dutch periods fall within the same calendar quarter, the FQCs overlap and, one of the overlapping FQCs is cancelled).

7 Is the worker insured for U.S. totalization benefits after assigning Dutch coverage?
 
  • If yes, process the award (assuming all other entitlement factors are met).

  • If no, go to Step 8.

8 Is the claim for disability benefits or for survivor benefits which could be paid based on currently insured status?
 
  • If yes, recredit coverage following Step 6, except assign FQCs starting with the last available calendar quarter of each period and continuing backwards consecutively until all FQCs are assigned and go to Step 9.

  • If no, go to Step 10.

9 Is the worker insured for U.S. totalization benefits after crediting coverage following Step 8?
 
  • If yes, process the award (assuming all other entitlement factors are met).

  • If no, go to Step 10.

10 Were any FQC's cancelled because they fell within the same calendar quarter and were therefore considered overlapping? (See last instruction for Step 6 above).
 
  • If yes, forward the case to CPS for evaluation.

  • If no, deny the claim.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201726110
GN 01726.110 - How to Credit Dutch Coverage - 12/28/2011
Batch run: 10/17/2016
Rev:12/28/2011