The worker's coverage under the Greek system must be established for all Greek claims. (See GN 01737.212.)

The additional entitlement factors that must be established for Greek retirement claims are:

1. a. 

   Age of worker

2. b. 

   Marriage, if a wife's supplement is claimed

3. c. 

   Age and relationship of child, if a child's supplement is claimed.

The additional entitlement factors that must be established for Greek survivors claims are:

1. a. 

   Death of worker

2. b. 

   Marriage, if a widow(er)'s benefit is claimed

3. c. 

   Degree of disability if a widower's benefit is claimed

4. d. 

   Age and relationship of child, if a child's benefit is claimed.

The additional entitlement factors that must be established for Greek disability claims are:

1. a. 

   Age of worker

2. b. 

   Degree of disability (medical evidence)

3. c. 

   Marriage, if a wife's supplement is claimed

4. d. 

   Age and relationship of child, if a child's supplement is claimed.

Accept any evidence the applicant wishes to submit. If the applicant does not want to release an original document, photocopy the evidence and certify the copy unless the evidence is the Greek Insurance booklet. As explained in GN 01737.212, have the worker submit his or her original Greek insurance booklet.

CAUTION: Do not hold claims for Greek benefits for prolonged periods pending receipt of evidence. If an applicant is unable to obtain needed evidence within a reasonable time, transmit the claim to the Office of International Operations (OIO) without the evidence. Advise the applicant that the responsible Greek agency will contact him or her directly to obtain any evidence it needs.

If the applicant requests guidance on the type of evidence to submit, see:

1. a. 

   Proof of Greek coverage in GN 01737.212

2. b. 

   Proof of age in GN 00302.000

   NOTE: If the claimant was born in Greece, always request the Greek proof of age. See GN 00307.518.

3. c. 

   Proof of death in GN 00304.000

4. d. 

   Proof of marriage in GN 00305.000

5. e. 

   Proof of parent/child relationship in GN 00306.000.

Document the file to show when a factor of entitlement for a Greek benefit has already been verified for a U.S. claim.

1. a. 

   Obtain proof of lag earnings through the quarter of filing or death in all claims for Greek benefits. (Lag earnings are always needed since Greece counts a worker's U.S. quarters of coverage in computing the amount of the Greek benefit.)

2. b. 

   Obtain a record of the NH's U.S. coverage in all claims for Greek benefits. When the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Greek benefits, completion of the modernized claims system (MCS) screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Greek claim. When a claimant files for Greek benefits only, which is a complex MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified earnings record (ICERS) per MSOM ICERS 001.004.

1. a. 

   Accept any medical evidence the applicant wishes to submit when the claim is for Greek benefits only. Do not attempt to secure evidence for the applicant or offer advice as to what types of evidence are needed by Greece.

2. b. 

   Send any medical evidence that is submitted along with the claims file to OIO at the address in GN 01702.310.

3. c. 

   Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available and advise the applicant that the Greek agency will contact him or her directly, if necessary, to obtain needed evidence.

Follow the instructions in GN 01702.400 - GN 01702. 415 to process claims for Greek disability benefits and concurrent title II disability claims.