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1
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Is the claimant filing for disability benefits on his/her own record?
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If yes, credit all possible F quarters of coverage to the FCER.
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If no, credit only the number of quarters required for insured status.
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2
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Does the French record show coverage in years before 1937?
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If yes, ignore those years and consider each subsequent year separately.
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If no, consider each year separately.
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3
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Does the French record show coverage in years 1937-1941?
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If yes, credit each F quarter of coverage to the equivalent U.S. quarter. If U.S.
coverage is already credited to the equivalent quarter, do not credit the F quarter
of coverage to any quarter on the FCER.
NOTE: The quarter in which the French coverage was earned is shown in column 2 under Reg
General on the French coverage record.
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4
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Does the French coverage record show coverage for years after 1941?
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a.
If yes, credit F quarters of coverage as follows for each year of coverage shown on
the French record. Determine total number of quarters credited by France for the year.
If U.S. E/R shows:
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0 quarters of coverage, credit all F quarters starting with the first quarter in the
year.
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1-3 quarters of coverage, start with the first quarter in the year. Replace each N
quarter on the FCER with an F quarter until all F quarters are used or no N quarters
remain.
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4 quarters of coverage, credit no F quarters.
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5
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Is the claim for disability benefits or for survivor benefits which could be paid based on currently insured status?
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a.
If yes, does worker meet disability or currently insured status?
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If yes, take no further action.
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If no, re-credit coverage following Step 4,
except credit F quarters of coverage beginning with the last available quarter in each year.
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6
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Does the French coverage record of a U.S. disability applicant show coverage after
the alleged onset date?
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a.
If yes, secure an explanation of these postings from the applicant.
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If he/she alleges that these are cash sickness benefits, accept that allegation if
the coverage period lasts no longer than 15 months (five quarters) after the alleged
onset date.
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If the coverage record exceeds 15 months, contact the appropriate French agency for
clarification.
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b.
If no, take no further action.
REMINDER: Do not routinely develop SGA in these situations unless other information in file
or the response from the French agency suggests that SGA development is necessary.
In addition, whether this coverage represents cash sickness benefits or is based on
physical work, the postings are acceptable and may be used to establish insured status.
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7
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Does the French coverage record show an entry under “Maj Enfants” ?
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If yes, these credits may be used to establish fully insured status for U.S. retirement, survivors or disability benefits. They are not
assigned to any specific year. However, they may not be counted in determining recency-of-work insured status requirements for U.S. benefits;
e.g., disability insured status (20/40) or currently insured status.
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8
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Is the worker insured for U.S. totalization benefits after crediting French coverage?
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a.
If yes, take no further action.
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b.
If no, does the file show that the worker is a French beneficiary?
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If yes, take no further action.
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If no, is there a copy of a work history statement in file?
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If yes, take no further action.
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Contact the worker (or the claimant if the worker is deceased).
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Ask the worker/claimant to examine the French coverage record and determine if the
worker has French coverage which is not shown.
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If all French coverage is shown, deny the U.S. claim.
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If periods of French coverage are missing, have the claimant complete a detailed work
history statement.
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