TN 5 (10-22)

GN 01739.210 Developing Evidence in Claims for Chilean Benefits

This section describes the types of evidence used to support claims for Chilean benefits.

A. Filing applications for Chilean benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will take applications for both regular and totalization benefits on behalf of Chile. We will also provide limited assistance in obtaining evidence needed to support the claim.

B. Using evidence previously submitted for claims for U.S. benefits

Applicants do not need to resubmit the evidence used to establish factors of entitlement for U.S. Social Security benefits. The evidence previously submitted is sufficient for Chile to establish the same factor for Chilean benefits.

C. Establishing entitlement factors for Chilean retirement, survivors, and disability benefits

For all claims, establish the following entitlement factors for all Chilean claims:

  • worker's date of birth; and

  • worker's National Identification number, known by the Spanish acronym "RUT" (See GN 01739.215D for a description of the Chilean RUT or National Identification number).

1. Retirement claims

Additional entitlement factors for Chilean retirement claims are:

  • marital status;

  • family composition;

  • dates of birth of all family members; and

  • disability status of family members.

NOTE: Although Chile does not pay dependents benefits under the new system, Chile considers the family composition to calculate the benefit. The balance of this account must also provide for future survivors benefits.

2. Survivors claims

Additional entitlement factors for Chilean survivor’s claims are:

  • date of death of the worker;

  • date of marriage if spouse claimed benefits ;

  • spouses disability status if they claimed benefits;

  • age and relationship of child if child's benefit claimed;

  • funeral expenses if funeral grant is claimed; and

  • proof of support in claims for benefits to the worker's parent, grandparent or the unwed parent of the worker's biological children.

3. Disability claims

The additional entitlement factor for Chilean disability claims is the degree of disability (medical evidence).

D. Developing evidence for Chilean benefits

Take the following actions when developing evidence to support claims for Chilean benefits.

1. Research the types of evidence

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

2. Accepting evidence

The process to accept evidence is as follows:

  1. a. 

    accept any evidence the applicant submits;

  2. b. 

    if the applicant does not want to release an original document, photocopy the evidence and certify the copy, see GN 00301.105;

  3. c. 

    do not hold claims for Chilean benefits for prolonged periods pending receipt of evidence;

  4. d. 

    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 the following address:

    Social Security Administration

    DIO- Totalization

    P.O. Box 17769

    Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769 and;
  5. e. 

    inform the applicant that the responsible Chilean agency will contact them directly to obtain any necessary evidence to make a determination.

3. Documenting the file

Document the Chilean benefit claim file to indicate any factor of entitlement previously verified for the U.S. claim.

Electronically send a certified photocopy of the relevant evidence with the Chilean claim to DIO if sending the concurrent Title II claim to a Program Service Center (PSC) other than DIO.

4. Obtain the number holder's (NH) U.S. earnings record

Obtain the NH’s U.S. earnings record in all claims for Chilean benefits:

  1. a. 

    Obtain the earnings record of the NH's U.S. coverage in all claims for Chilean benefits;

  2. b. 

    When the applicant files for both U.S. and Chilean benefits, complete the modernized claims system (MCS) screens. The MCS screens automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Chilean claim;

  3. c. 

    When a claimant files for Chilean benefits only, (a complex MCS exclusion), request an Informational/Certified earnings record (ICER) per MSOM ICER 001.004.

  4. d. 

    Obtain proof of lag earnings (unposted paid earnings in the current and preceding year) if U.S. covered work in the lag period is alleged and the applicant is filing for any Chilean benefit.

See Also:

E. Developing medical evidence under the Agreement

In addition to developing evidence, take the following actions to develop medical evidence for Chilean disability claims, see GN 01713.210D.

1. Chilean benefits only

  1. a. 

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

  2. b. 

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

    Social Security Administration

    DIO-Totalization

    P.O. Box 17769

    Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769
  3. c. 

    Transmit the file without medical evidence, if it is not readily available and advise the applicant that the Chilean agency will contact them directly to obtain any evidence they may need.

2. Chilean benefits and concurrent Title II claims

Follow the instructions in GN 01702.400 through GN 01702.415 to process claims for Chilean disability benefits and concurrent Title II disability claims.

F. References

  • MSOM ICERS 001.004 Requesting an Informational/Certified Earnings Record

  • MSOM MCS 009.011 (TOTL) Screen

  • GN 00301.105 Certification of Evidence for Totalization claims

  • RS 01404.005 Lag Period and Lag Earnings

  • RS 01404.018 Evidence of Lag Earnings

  • RS 01804.100 Establishing Lag SEI

  • GN 01749.215 Application for Benefits under the Czech Agreement

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

  • GN 01702.405 Associating Evidence From Prior Disability Folders

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

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


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201739210
GN 01739.210 - Developing Evidence in Claims for Chilean Benefits - 10/13/2022
Batch run: 10/13/2022
Rev:10/13/2022