Effective Dates: 01/12/1994 - Present Previous | Next

Basic (01-94)

GN 01736.110 How to Credit Irish Coverage

A. Policy

The Irish coverage certification is used to assign foreign (F) quarters of coverage to the fully certified earnings record (FCER).

  • •

    All periods of coverage certified by Ireland are creditable unless a remark on the form IRL/USA 4 brings the creditability into question.

  • •

    The presence of Irish coverage after disability onset is not necessarily an indication of work. Development of substantial gainful activity (SGA) should not be initiated based only on the presence of such Irish coverage.

  • •

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

B. Procedure

Follow these steps to assign Irish 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 weeks of coverage in each insurance period by 13 (the number of weeks in a calendar quarter) to determine the maximum possible number of FQCs for that period. Consider any remainder as 1 FQC.

3

Is there a “FROM - TO” period which begins or ends in the same calendar quarter as another “FROM - TO” period?

  • •

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

  • •

    If no, go to Step 4

4

Assign FQCs as follows:

  • •

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

  • •

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

  • •

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

  • •

    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)

  • •

    Do not skip over an FQC that was assigned based on another Irish period. If FQCs based on separate Irish 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 Irish coverage?

  • •

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

  • •

    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?

  • •

    If yes, recredit coverage following Step 4, except assign 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, deny the claim.

7

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

  • •

    If yes, process the award.

  • •

    If no, deny the claim
To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201736110
GN 01736.110 - How to Credit Irish Coverage - 01/12/1994
Batch run: 10/17/2016
Rev:01/12/1994