Effective Dates: 01/13/1994 - Present Previous | Next

Basic (01-94)

GN 01722.110 How to Credit Spanish Coverage

A. Policy

The Spanish coverage certification is used to assign foreign (F) quarters of coverage to the FCER.

  • •

    All periods of coverage certified by Spain are creditable unless they are already credited as U.S. quarters of coverage.

  • •

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

B. Procedure

Follow these steps for assigning Spanish coverage.

Step Action
1 Is the claimant filing for disability benefits on this record?
 
 
  • •

    If yes, credit all possible F quarters of coverage to the FCER.

  • •

    If no, credit only the number of quarters required for insured status.
2 Determine the maximum possible number of FQCs as follows:

 

Divide the number of days of coverage shown for each period of coverage by 91 (number of days in a calendar quarter) to determine the maximum possible number of FQCs for that period. Consider any remainder as 1 FQC. If the annotation “R00-1080” is shown, credit 12 FQCs for the period January 1, 1937 through December 31, 1939
3 Is there a “FROM - TO” period which begins or ends in the same calendar quarter as another “FROM - TO” period?
 
 
  • •

    If yes, determine F FQCs for each period separately and go to Step 4.

  • •

    If no, go to Step 4

4

Assign FQCs as follows:

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    Assign FQCs for each period shown on the Spanish coverage certification starting with the calendar quarter in which the period begins and continuing consecutively until all FQCs are assigned.

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

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    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 Spanish period, credit FQCs up to that quarter and begin again in the next available quarter.

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    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 quarters of coverage).

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    Do not skip over an FQC that was assigned based on another Spanish period. If FQCs based on separate Spanish periods fall within the same calendar quarter, cancel one of the overlapping FQCs.

5

Is the worker insured for U.S. totalization benefits after assigning Spanish coverage?

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    If yes, process the award (assuming all other entitlement factors are met).

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    If no, go to Step 6.

6

Is the claim for disability benefits or for survivor benefits which could be paid based on currently insured status?

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    If yes, recredit coverage following Step 4, exceptassign FQCs starting with the last available calendar quarter of each period and continuing backwards consecutively until all FQCs are assigned and go to Step 7.

  • •

    If no, go to Step 8.

7

Is the worker insured for U.S. totalization benefits after crediting coverage following Step 6?

  • •

    If yes, process the award.

  • •

    If no, go to Step 8.

8

Do any periods of Spanish coverage overlap or coincide so that FQCs for two periods fall in the same calendar quarter?

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    If yes, forward the case to IOTS for evaluation.

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    If no, deny the claim.
To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201722110
GN 01722.110 - How to Credit Spanish Coverage - 01/13/1994
Batch run: 10/17/2016
Rev:01/13/1994