The entitlement factors that must be established for Korean retirement claims are:

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  Worker's date of birth

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  Marriage, if spouse's supplement is claimed

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  Age and relationship of child, if child's supplement is claimed

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  Age, marriage and divorce, if divorced spouse's benefit is claimed

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  Age and relationship of parent, if parent's (or spouse's parent's) supplement is claimed

The entitlement factors that must be established for Korean survivors claims are:

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  Death of worker

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  Date of marriage

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  Widower's age and disability status

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  Relationship and age or disability status of child or grandchild

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  Relationship and age or disability status of parents or grandparents (including spouse's parents or grandparents)

The entitlement factors that must be established for Korean disability claims are:

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  Age of worker

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  Degree of disability (medical evidence)

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  Marriage, if spouse's supplement is claimed

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  Age, marriage and divorce, if divorced spouse's benefit is claimed

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  Age and relationship of child, if child's supplement is claimed

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  Age and relationship of parent, if parent's (or spouse's parent's) supplement is claimed

Accept any evidence the applicant wishes to submit. If the applicant does not want to release an original document, photocopy the evidence and certify the copy.

CAUTION: Do not hold claims for Korean benefits for prolonged periods pending receipt of evidence. If an applicant is unable to obtain needed evidence within a reasonable time, transmit the claim to the Office of International Operations (OIO) without the evidence. Advise the applicant that the responsible Korean agency will contact him/her directly to obtain any needed evidence.

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

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  Proof of age in GN 00302.000 ff.

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  Proof of date of birth for applicants born in South Korea, GN 00307.845

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  Proof of death in GN 00304.000 ff.

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  Proof of marital relationship in GN 00305.000 ff.

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  Proof of parent/child relationship in GN 00306.000 ff.

Document the file to show when a factor of entitlement for a Korean benefit has already been verified for a U.S. claim.

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  Obtain a record of the NH's U.S. coverage in all claims for Korean benefits. When the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Korean benefits, completion of the modernized claims system (MCS) screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Korean claim. When a claimant files for Korean benefits only, which is a complex MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MSOM ICERS 001.004 .

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  Obtain proof of lag earnings if U.S. covered work in the lag period is alleged and the applicant is filing for any Korean benefit.

For Korean benefits only, accept any medical evidence the applicant wishes to submit. Do not attempt to secure evidence for the applicant or offer advice as to what types of evidence are needed by Korea.

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  Access the Totalization Benefits Resource Kit on the Intranet here.

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  Print the Korean Medical Report form (KOR/USA-1-M) and give it to the applicant. Advise the applicant it is his/her responsibility to get his/her doctor to complete the medical report.

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  Instruct the applicant to return the completed Korean Medical Report form directly to the Korean National Pension Corporation at the address shown in GN 01741.020C.

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  Send any medical evidence that is submitted along with the claims file to OIO at the address in GN 01702.310.

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  Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available and advise the applicant that the Korean agency will contact him/her directly, if necessary, to obtain needed evidence.

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  Access the Totalization Benefits Resource Kit on the Intranet here.

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  Print the Korean Medical Report form (KOR/USA-1-M) and give it to the applicant. Advise the applicant it is his/her responsibility to get his/her doctor to complete the medical report.

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  Instruct the applicant to return the completed Korean Medical Report form directly to the Korean National Pension Corporation at the address shown in GN 01741.020C.

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  Follow the instructions in GN 01702.400-GN 01702.415 to process claims for Korean disability benefits and concurrent title II disability claims.