Effective Dates: 09/15/2026 - Present Previous | Next

Basic (09-26)

GN 01765.210 Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for U.S. and Romanian Claims

A. Evidence requirements for U.S. Totalization benefits under the Romanian Agreement

When a person files a claim for U.S. Totalization benefits under the Agreement with Romania, that person must submit the same evidence required to file a claim for regular retirement, survivors, or disability insurance (non-Totalization) benefits. The applicant must also submit the evidence noted in GN 01702.200 through GN 01702.230 when claiming Totalization benefits from the United States.

B. SSA accepts applications for benefits

Under the Agreement with Romania, SSA will take applications for both regular and Totalization benefits on behalf of Romania and provides limited assistance in obtaining evidence needed to support the applicant's claim.

C. Using evidence previously submitted in claim for U.S. benefits

Applicants do not need to resubmit the evidence previously submitted and verified to establish factors of entitlement for U.S. Social Security benefits. The evidence previously submitted for entitlement to U.S. Social Security benefits is sufficient to establish the same factors of entitlement to Romanian benefits.

Romania may use evidence that SSA has already used to establish a factor of entitlement for U.S. Social Security benefits to establish the same factor for Romanian benefits.

D. Entitlement factors for Romanian retirement, survivors, and disability benefits

In addition to insured status, evidence of the following it required to support the application for Romanian benefits.

1. Required evidence when filing an application for retirement benefits

These entitlement factors must be established for Romanian retirement claims.

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    Age of worker

2. Required evidence when filing an application for survivors benefits

These entitlement factors must be established for Romanian survivors claims.

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    Death of worker

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    Romanian social security number

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    Age of claimant

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    Marriage if filing for surviving spouse benefits

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    Divorce if applicable

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    Age and relationship of child for child’s benefits

3. Required evidence when filing an application for disability benefits

These entitlement factors must be established for Romanian disability claims.

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    Age of worker

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    Degree of disability (medical evidence, if available)

 

E. Developing evidence in support of an application for retirement, survivors, or disability benefits

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

1. Researching the types of evidence

When necessary, you can find additional information regarding the following types of evidence.

2. Accepting Evidence

The applicant must submit the evidence noted in GN 01702.200 - GN 01702.230 whenever Totalization benefits are claimed from Romania.

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    SSA accepts any medical evidence the applicant wishes to submit.

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

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    Do not attempt to secure evidence for the applicant or offer advice as to what types of evidence Romania may need.

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    Send all submitted medical evidence and the claims file to Central Processing – International Operations (CP/IO), International Benefit & Processing (IBP) at the following address:

Social Security Administration
CP/IO - IBP
P.O. Box 17769
Baltimore, MD 21235-7769
USA

NOTE: 

 

If a courier service is used, mail to:

Social Security Administration
Central Processing – International Operations
International Benefit & Processing
6100 Wabash Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
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    Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the FO sent the Romanian claim to International Benefit and Processing (IBP). Input "Totalization" as the ISSUE.

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    Inform the applicant that the responsible Romanian agency will contact them directly to obtain any additional documents or evidence needed to make a determination.

CAUTION: 

 

Do not hold claims for Romanian 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 IBP without the evidence. Advise the applicant that the responsible Romanian agency will contact them directly to obtain any needed evidence.

3. Documenting the File

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

a. Concurrent Title II claims

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    Send relevant evidence with the Romania claim to the Program Service Center (PSC) of jurisdiction, and

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    Electronically send a certified photocopy of the relevant evidence with the Romanian claim to: FAX number: 877-385-0645

b. Prior Title II claims

Attach a Master Beneficiary Record (MBR) printout with the Romanian claim sent to IBP to reflect which factors, other than disability, have been verified in a prior file.

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

Obtain the NH's U.S. earnings record in all claims for Romanian benefits when the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Romanian benefits. You can complete the Modernized Claims System (MCS) screens. The MCS screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Romanian claim.

When a claimant files for Romanian benefits only, which is a MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MS 02101.004 .

Obtain proof of lag earnings (unposted paid earnings in the current or preceding year through the quarter of attainment of age 65 if the NH is a man or the quarter of attainment of age 61 and 10 months if the NH is a woman). For proof of lag earnings, see RS 01404.005 and RS 01404.018 . For proof of lag self-employment earnings, see RS 01804.100 .

F. Developing medical evidence for disability claims

In addition to taking the actions in GN 01719.210E. , take the following actions when developing medical evidence for Romanian disability claims.

1. Romanian benefits only

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    Accept any medical evidence the applicant wishes to submit. Do not attempt to secure evidence for the claimant or offer advice as to what types of evidence are needed by the Romanian.

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    Send all medical evidence along with the claims file to: Central Processing – International Operations (CP/IO), International Benefit & Processing (IBP) at the following address:

Social Security Administration
CP/IO - IBP
P.O Box 17769
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769
USA

See GN 01702.310 for more information on routing claims for U.S. Totalization benefits.

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    Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the field office sent the Romanian claim to International Benefit & Processing (IBP). Show "Totalization" as the ISSUE.

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    Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available; and

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    Advise the claimant that the Romanian agency will contact him or her, if necessary, to obtain required evidence

2. Romanian benefits and concurrent Title II claim

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

G. References

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    GN 00301.105 Certification of Evidence for Totalization Claims

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    GN 00302.000 Proof of Age

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    GN 00304.000 Proof of Death

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    GN 00305.000 Proof of Marital Relationship

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    GN 00306.000 Child Relationship and Dependency

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    GN 01702.110 Application for Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security (Totalization) Agreement (Form SSA-2490-BK)

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    GN 01702.310 - GN 01702.525 Actions necessary when applicant indicates work in Romania on U.S. application

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

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

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    GN 01774.215 Application for Benefits Under the U.S - Romania Agreement

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    MS 02101.004 Informational/Certified Earnings Records – Totalization (ICIC)

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    MS 03507.001 Introduction to SSA-2490 – Overview

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    MS 03509.011 Totalization (TOTL)

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    RS 00205.350 Determining Full-Time Attendance (FTA)

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    RS 01301.000 Living With Contributions and One-Half Support

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201765210
GN 01765.210 - Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for U.S. and Romanian Claims - 09/15/2026
Batch run: 09/15/2026
Rev:09/15/2026