Effective Dates: 09/27/2021 - Present Previous | Next

TN 12 (10-22)

GN 01729.210 Developing Evidence in Claims for Austrian Benefits

A. Using evidence submitted in the claim for U.S. benefits

Applicants do not need to submit additional evidence to file for Austrian benefits since evidence used to establish a factor of entitlement for U.S. Social Security benefits, both regular and Totalization, is sufficient for Austria to establish the same factor for Austrian benefits.

B. Establishing entitlement factors

In addition to insured status, evidence of the following are required in support of an application for Austrian benefits.

1. Required evidence when filing an application for retirement benefits

When a worker files an application for retirement benefits, obtain the following evidence:

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    worker's date of birth;

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    worker's Austrian Insurance Number;

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    marital status;

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    family composition;

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    dates of birth of all family members; and

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    disability status of all family members.

2. Required evidence when filing an application for survivor benefits

When a person files an application for survivors benefits, obtain the following evidence:

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    worker's date of birth;

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    worker's Austrian Insurance Number;

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    date and proof of death of the worker;

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    date of marriage or partnership registration (if surviving spouse/divorced spouse or surviving registered/dissolved registered partner's benefit claim); and

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    age and relationship of child (if child's benefits claim).

3. Required evidence when filing an application for disability benefits

When a worker files an application for disability benefits, obtain the following evidence:

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    worker's date of birth;

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    worker's Austrian Insurance Number; and

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    degree of the worker's disability (medical evidence).

C. Developing evidence in support of an application for retirement, survivors, or disability benefits

Take the following actions when developing evidence to support applications for Austrian benefits;

1. Research the types of evidence

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

2. Accepting evidence

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    Accept any evidence the applicant submits.

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    Photocopy the evidence, certify the copy and return the original to the applicant. See GN 00301.105 for information about certifying evidence for Totalization claims.

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    Do not hold claims for Austrian benefits for prolonged periods pending receipt of evidence. If an applicant is unable to obtain the necessary evidence within a reasonable time, transmit the claim without the evidence to the Division of International Operations (DIO) using this address:

 

 

Social Security Administration

Division of International Operations

P.O. Box 17769

Baltimore, MD 21235-7769

FAX number: 410-966-1861

Note: If courier service is used, mail to:

Social Security Administration

Division of International Operations

6100 Wabash Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21215
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    Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the FO sent the Austrian claim to DIO. Show "Totalization" as the ISSUE; and

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    Inform the applicant that the responsible Austrian agency will contact them directly to obtain any further documents or evidence to make a determination.

3. Document the file

Document the file as follows:

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    Indicate on the Austrian benefit claim file any factor of entitlement verified previously for the U.S. claim; and

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    For concurrent Title II claims, send the claim and relevant evidence to the Program Service Center (PSC) of jurisdiction. Electronically send a certified photocopy of the relevant evidence with the Austrian claim to DIO.

4. Obtaining the numberholder's (NH) U.S. earnings record

Obtain the NH's U.S. earnings record in all claims for Austrian benefits as follows:

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    When the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Austrian benefits, complete the Modernized Claims System (MCS) screens. The MSC screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Austrian claim;

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    When the applicant files for Austrian benefits only, which is an MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MS ICERS 02101.004; and

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    Obtain proof of lag earnings (unposted paid earnings in the current or preceding year) if U.S. covered work in the lag period is alleged and the applicant is filing for any Austrian benefit. For proof of lag wages, see RS 01404.005 and RS 01404.018. For proof of lag self-employment income, see RS 01804.100.

D. Developing medical evidence for disability claims

In addition to taking the actions in GN 01729.210C, do the following actions when developing medical evidence for Austrian disability claims:

1. Austrian benefits only

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    Accept any medical evidence the applicant submits when the claim is for Austrian benefits only. Do not attempt to secure evidence for the applicant or offer advice as to what types of evidence Austria may need.

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    Send any medical evidence submitted and the claims file to DIO at the following address:

 

 

Social Security Administration

Division of International Operations

P.O. Box 17769

Baltimore, MD 21235-7769

FAX number: 410-966-1861

Note: If courier service is used, mail to:

Social Security Administration

Division of International Operations

6100 Wabash Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21215
  • •

    Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the FO sent the Austrian claim to DIO. Show "Totalization" as the ISSUE.

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    Transmit the file without medical evidence if the evidence is not readily available. Advise the applicant that the Austrian agency will contact them directly to obtain any required evidence.

2. Austrian benefits and concurrent Title II claims

To process for Austrian disability benefits and concurrent Title II disability claims, follow the instructions in GN 01702.400 through GN 01702.415.

E. References

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    GN 00301.105, Certification of Evidence for Totalization Claims

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    GN 01702.200, Evidence Requirements under Totalization Agreements

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    GN 01702.205, Special Evidence Requirements for U.S. Totalization Benefits

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    GN 01702.210, Verification of Eligibility Factors by Foreign Agencies

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    GN 01702.215, Special Evidence Requirements for Claims for Foreign Benefits

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    GN 01702.220, Evidence of Citizenship for Beneficiaries Living Outside the United States

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    GN 01702.225, Evidence of Status as Refugee or Stateless Person

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    GN 01702.230, Evidence of Residence

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    GN 01702.310, Routing of Claims for U.S. Benefits Involving Totalization

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    GN 01702.315, Processing Totalization Insured-Status Notices in Claims for U.S. Benefits

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    GN 01702.320, Routing of Claims for Foreign Benefits

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    GN 01702.400, Developing Medical Evidence in Claims for U.S. Totalization Disability Benefits

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    GN 01702.405, Associating Evidence from Prior Disability Folders

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    GN 01702.410, Routing of Claims for U.S. Totalization Disability Benefits

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    GN 01702.415, Development of Medical Evidence and Routing of Claims for Foreign Disability Benefits

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    MS 02101.004, Informational/Certified Earnings Records - Totalization (ICIC)

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    MS 03509.011, Totalization (TOTL)

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    RS 01404.005, Lag Period and Lag Earnings

 

 

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201729210
GN 01729.210 - Developing Evidence in Claims for Austrian Benefits - 09/27/2021
Batch run: 07/18/2025
Rev:09/27/2021