The Japanese coverage certification is used to assign foreign (F) quarters of coverage to the U.S. coverage record. The following steps apply to Japanese coverage:

• •

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

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  Periods of coverage types 1 through 6, the only types of coverage to be shown on the form, are all creditable for U.S. Social Security purposes with one exception. Coverage for Category III insured persons (coded 3)-unemployed spouses of Category II covered workers-will be acceptable for U.S. Social Security purposes only if the person has contributory coverage under the U.S. or Japanese systems both before and after the temporary Category III period. Additionally, no more than 11 quarters of coverage may be granted for Category III coverage.

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  Refer any questionable Japanese coverage records to Division of Training and Program Support (DTPS) for evaluation.

Follow these steps to assign Japanese coverage:

1. 1. 

   If the claimant is filing for disability benefits, credit all possible F quarters of coverage to the U.S. record.

2. 2. 

   If the claimant is filing for retirement or survivor benefits, credit only the number of quarters required for insured status.

3. 3. 

   To determine the maximum possible number of F quarters of coverage, divide the number of months in each insurance period by 3 (the number of months in a quarter). Consider any remainder as 1 F quarter.

4. 4. 

   If there is a “FROM” – “TO” period (shown as “Date of Enrollment”/”Date of Withdrawal” on the Japanese certification) that begins or ends in the same calendar quarter as another “FROM” – “TO” period, determine the number of F quarters for each period separately.

5. 5. 

   Assign F quarters as follows:

   • •

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

   • •

     Do not assign F quarters after the calendar quarter in which the Japanese period ends.

   • •

     Do not assign an F quarter in a calendar quarter where a U.S. quarter is already assigned. When a U.S. quarter is assigned with a Japanese period, credit F quarters up to that quarter and begin again in the next available quarter.

   • •

     For years after 1977, assign existing U.S. quarters using the flexible crediting provision so as to permit assigning the maximum number of F quarters.

   • •

     Do not skip over an F quarter that was assigned based on another Japanese period. If F quarters based on separate Japanese periods fall within the same calendar quarter, cancel one of the overlapping F quarters.

6. 6. 

   If the worker is insured for U.S. totalization benefits after assigning Japanese coverage, process the award (assuming all other entitlement factors are met).

7. 7. 

   If the worker is not insured based on combined coverage and the claim is for disability benefits or for survivor benefits that could be paid based on currently insured status, recredit the foreign coverage. Follow step 5, except assign F quarters starting with the last available calendar quarter of each period and continuing backwards consecutively until all F quarters are assigned.

8. 8. 

   If the worker is not insured for U.S. totalization benefits after crediting coverage following step 7, deny the claim.

RS 00301.230, Flexible Assignment of Quarters of Coverage