The entitlement factor that must be established for Danish retirement claims is the age of the worker.

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

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  Death of worker

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  Marriage, if surviving spouse benefit is claimed

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  Age and relationship of child, if child’s benefit is claimed

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

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  Age of worker

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  Degree of disability (medical evidence)

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 Danish 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 Division of International Operations (DIO) without the evidence. Advise the applicant that the responsible Danish agency will contact the applicant directly to obtain any evidence it needs.

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

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  Proof of age in GN 00302.000

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  Proof of death in GN 00304.000

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  Proof of marital relationship in GN 00305.000

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  Proof of parent/child relationship in GN 00306.000

Document the file to show when a factor of entitlement for a Danish 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 Danish benefits. When the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Danish benefits, completion of the modernized claims system (MCS) screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Danish claim. When a claimant files for Danish benefits only, which is a complex MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MS 02101.004.

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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 Danish benefit. (See RS 01404.005 through RS 01404.018 for proof of lag wages and RS 01804.100 for proof of lag self-employment income.)

If the claim is taken using MCS, all periods of residence in Denmark between the ages of 15 – 65 should be entered on the Foreign Residence (FRES) screen (see MS 03507.008). If the claim is taken using the paper or electronic (e-form) application form SSA-2490 -BK (Application for Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security Agreement), all periods of residence in Denmark between the ages of 15 – 65 should be entered in the “Remarks” section (19).

In all claims for Danish benefits, ask the applicant if the applicant has worked in Denmark after 1964 and if they are applying for the ATP pension. The response to this question should be entered on the Totalization Remarks (FRMK) screen in MCS (see MS 03507.009) or in the “Remarks” section (19) on the paper or electronic (e-form) application form SSA-2490-BK.

Take the following actions when developing medical evidence for Danish disability claim.

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  Accept any medical evidence the applicant wishes to submit when the claim is for Danish benefits only. Do not attempt to secure evidence for the applicant or offer advice as to what types of evidence are needed by Denmark.

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  Send any medical evidence that is submitted along with the claim to DIO in Baltimore at the following address:

  Social Security Administration
  
  Division of International Operations
  
  P.O. Box 17769
  
  Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769
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  Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available and advise the applicant that the Danish agency will contact the applicant directly, if necessary, to obtain needed evidence.

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