Use the Slovenian certified coverage record to assign foreign “F” quarters coverage to the U.S. coverage record.

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  There is no minimum amount of Slovenian coverage, which must be earned before the U.S. can use it.

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  SSA will credit one quarter of coverage in a calendar year for every 90 days of coverage certified for that year by the liaison agency.

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  SSA will credit all periods of coverage based on paid contributions.

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  SSA will not credit months of coverage under Slovenian laws that fall within a calendar quarter that SSA already credited as a U.S. quarter of coverage. For years after 1977, move the credited U.S. quarter of coverage in the quarter of the calendar year most favorable to the claimant.

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  SSA will also not credit more than four quarters of coverage for any calendar year, or consider periods of Slovenian coverage credited prior to 1937 (the earliest year that U.S. law permits crediting periods of coverage).

Follow these steps to assign Slovenian coverage:

1. 1. 

   If the claimant is filing for disability benefits, credit all possible foreign 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 foreign quarters (F) of coverage, divide the number of days in each insurance period by 90 (the number of days in a quarter). Consider any remainder to be one foreign quarter.

4. 4. 

   If there is a period of coverage that begins or ends in the same calendar quarter as another period of coverage, determine the number of “F” quarters for each period separately.

5. 5. 

   Assign foreign quarters as follows:

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     Assign “F” quarters for each creditable period shown on the Slovenian coverage certification record starting with the calendar quarter in which the period begins and continuing consecutively until all foreign quarters are assigned;

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     Do not assign a foreign quarter in a calendar quarter where a U.S. quarter is already assigned. When a U.S. quarter is assigned in the same period with a Slovenian period, do not give a foreign quarter for that period. Begin assigning foreign quarters again in the next available quarter.

   • •

     For years prior to 1978, do not assign a foreign quarter in a calendar quarter where a U.S. quarter is already assigned. When a U.S. quarter is assigned in the same period with a Slovenian period, do not give a foreign quarter for that period. Begin assigning foreign quarters again in the next available quarter.

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     For the years after 1977, assign existing U.S. quarters using the flexible crediting provision to permit assigning the maximum number of foreign quarters (RS 00301.230).

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     Do not skip over a foreign quarter assigned based on another Slovenian period. If foreign quarters based on separate Slovenian periods fall with the same calendar quarter, cancel one of the overlapping foreign quarters.

6. 6. 

   Process the award (assuming all other entitlement factors are met) if the worker meets the minimum insured status requirements for U.S. totalization benefits after assigning Slovenian coverage.

7. 7. 

   If the worker does not meet the minimum insured status requirements based on combined coverage and the claim is for disability benefits or for survivor benefits, re-credit the foreign coverage. Follow step 5, except assign foreign quarters starting with the last available quarter of each period and continuing backwards consecutively until all foreign quarters are assigned.

8. 8. 

   If the worker does not meet the minimum insured status for U.S. totalization benefits after crediting coverage, deny the claim.

RS 00301.230 Assignment of Quarters of Coverage