TN 1 (07-99)

GN 01723.215 Application for Benefits Under the French Agreement

A. Policy

An applicant filing for benefits under the agreement with France must complete Form SSA-2490-BK (Application For Benefits Under A U.S. International Social Security Agreement). This is true whether the applicant is filing for benefits only from the United States, only from France, or from both countries.

B. Process

The SSA-2490-BK is available through MCS, but the MCS version may only be used when the NH is filing for:

  • U.S. retirement or disability Totalization benefits alone, or

  • U.S. retirement or disability benefits (regular or Totalization) and concurrently for French benefits.

The MCS version of the SSA-2490-BK may not be used to file for:

  • French benefits only, or

  • U.S. or French survivors benefits

A paper SSA-2490-BK application form must be used in the latter cases.

NOTE: It is not necessary to take an SSA-2490-BK in claims for U.S. auxiliary benefits in life cases or in survivor cases where there was a previously approved award in a life case since this application would have been completed previously in connection with the NH's claim.

C. Procedure - Required applications

Use the following information to determine which applications must be completed when taking claims for U.S. Totalization benefits and/or French benefits under the agreement with France.

1. U.S. Totalization Benefits Only

a. Retirement or Disability Claims

In retirement or disability claims, complete the appropriate retirement or disability benefit MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MSOM MCS 009.011), and SSA-2490 screens (see MSOM MCS 007.001).

b. Survivors Claims

In survivors claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MSOM MCS 009.011), and Part I of the paper application Form
SSA-2490-BK.

2. French Benefits Only (Regular or Totalization)

Claims for French benefits only are MCS exclusions. Complete Parts I and II of paper application Form SSA-2490-BK.

3. French Benefits (Regular or Totalization) and U.S. (Regular or Totalization Benefits

a. Retirement or Disability Claims

In retirement or disability claims, complete the appropriate retirement or disability benefit MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen, (see MSOM MCS 009.011), and the SSA-2490 screens (see MSOM MCS 007.001).

b. Survivors Claims

In survivors claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MSOM MCS 009.011), and Parts I and II of the paper application Form SSA-2490-BK.

D. References

  • Completing the SSA-2490 on MCS, MSOM MCS 007.001

  • Completing the paper Form SSA-2490-BK, GN 01701.110

  • Forwarding foreign applications to OIO, GN 01702.310


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201723215
GN 01723.215 - Application for Benefits Under the French Agreement - 07/08/1999
Batch run: 04/02/2014
Rev:07/08/1999