Effective Dates: 12/31/2024 - Present

Identification Number:
GN 01744 TN 1
Intended Audience:
Originating Office:DCO OCO OEIO DTPS
Title:OIO and FSP Processing Under the Agreement With Australia
Type:POMS Full Transmittals
Program:All Programs
Link To Reference:
 

PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANUAL SYSTEM

Part GN – General

Chapter 017 – Totalization Benefits

Subchapter 44 – OIO and FSP Processing Under the Agreement With Australia

Transmittal No. 1, 12/31/2024

Originating Component

OCO

Effective Date

Upon Receipt

Background

This transmittal updates the sections and component names and adds the new AUS187 by the Division of Training and Program Support (DTPS). We also updated all the subsections headings for clarity.

Summary of Changes

GN 01744.010 How to Develop and Process Applications Filed in the Federal Benefits Manila

We are updating the component names in the title as well as name changes in subsections A and B.

GN 01744.012 How the Federal Benefits Manila Processes and Develops Claims Filed with the Australian Agency

We are updating the component names in the title as well as name changes in subsections A and B. Also updating the name of the liaison form in subsections A and B.

GN 01744.105 Australian Coverage Certification

We are updating the name of the liaison form in subsections A, B, and C. Also inputting the blank liaison form in subsection C as an example.

GN 01744.106 How to Evaluate Australian Coverage Certifications

We are updating the name of the liaison form in subsection B as well as updating the component name change.

GN 01744.235 Facts About the Australian Liaison Form AUS187

We are updating the liaison form names as well as the component names in the title, subsections A, B, and C.

GN 01744.310 Australian Agency Requests for Medical Examinations

We are updating the liaison form name and component name in subsection B.

GN 01744.010 How to Develop and Process Applications Filed in the Federal Benefits Unit Manila

A. Where does Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) Manila process claims?

FBU Manila takes claims from individuals in their service area who wish to file for U.S. and/or Australian benefits under the Australian agreement and also assists in processing certain types of claims filed with Centrelink.

When taking claims under the agreement, FBU Manila should follow the same general procedures and obtain the same applications and evidence as SSA field offices.

B. What is the procedure for processing claims in FBU Manila?

This procedure describes special development and routing instructions that apply to claims under the agreement filed in FBU Manila.

1. U.S. Claim

a. Retirement and Disability Claims

In retirement and disability claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MSOM MCS 009.011) and the SSA-2490 screens (see MSOM MCS 007.001).

b. Survivor Claims

In survivor claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MSOM MCS 009.011) and Part I of the paper or electronic (e-form) application Form SSA-2490-BK.

c. Worker Appears Not to Be Insured Based On U.S. Coverage Alone-Requesting Australian Working Life Record

Forward a liaison form SSA-2960-AUS, U.S. - Australia Agreement on Social Security Request/Transmittal/Certification Form, to Centrelink to request the Australian working life residence record if it appears that the worker is not insured based on U.S. coverage alone.

NOTE: 

Form SSA-2960 may be printed from the SSA Totalization Forms section of the Totalization Resource Kit.

d. Claim to DIO

Forward the claim to DIO and include a copy of the completed liaison form sent to Centrelink.

2. Australian Claim

a. Application for Australian Benefits

Have the applicant complete the application for Australian benefits (AUS/USA 4) and form Mod (i).

NOTE: 

The Australian application (Part B), instructions for completing the application (Part A), and form Mod (i) may be printed from the SSA Totalization Forms section of the Totalization Resource Kit.

b. Australian Application, Form Mod (i), ICERS,SSA-2960-AUS

Mail the Australian application, form Mod (i), a copy of the U.S. coverage record (ICERS) and any evidence the applicant wants to submit to Centrelink under cover of Form SSA-2960-AUS. Be sure to enter the protective filing date on the form.

NOTE: 

Form SSA-2960-AUS may be printed from the SSA Totalization Forms section of the Totalization Resource Kit.

c. Australian Disability Benefits

If the claim is for Australian disability benefits, give the applicant the Australian Work Ability form (Form WA) to complete.

NOTE: 

: The Australian Work Ability Form may be printed from the SSA Totalization Form section of the Totalization Resource Kit.

d. Additional Information

Inform the applicant that Centrelink will contact him/her directly if they need any additional information.

3. U. S. and Australian Claim

a. Retirement and Disability Claims

In retirement and disability claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MSOM MCS 009.011) and the SSA-2490 screens (see MSOM MCS 007.001).

b. Survivor Claims

In survivor claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MSOM MCS 009.011), and Part I of the paper or electronic (e-form) application Form SSA-2490-BK.

c. Australian Benefits

Have the applicant complete the application for Australian benefits (AUS/USA- 4) and form Mod (i).

NOTE: 

The Australian application (Part B), instructions for completing the application (Part A), and form Mod (i) may be printed from the SSA Totalization Forms section of the Totalization Resource Kit.

d. Australian Application,Form Mod (i), ICERS, Form SSA-2960-AUS

Mail the Australian application, form Mod (i), a copy of the U.S. coverage record (ICERS or MCS) and any evidence the applicant wants to submit to Centrelink under cover of Form SSA-2960-AUS. Be sure to enter the protective filing date on the form and request an Australian coverage record if it appears the worker is not insured based on U.S. coverage only.

NOTE: 

Form SSA-2960-AUS may be printed from the SSA Totalization Forms section of the Totalization Resource Kit.

e. Australian Disability Benefits

If the claim is for Australian disability benefits, give the applicant the Australian Work Ability form (Form WA) to complete.

NOTE: 

The Australian Work Ability Form may be printed from the SSA Totalization Forms section of the Totalization Resource Kit.

f. U.S. Claim to DIO

Forward the U.S. claim to DIO and include a copy of the completed liaison form sent to Centrelink.

g. Additional Information

Inform the applicant that Centrelink will contact him/her directly if they need any additional information regarding the claim for Australian benefits.

C. References

FO and FSP Development, GN 01702.001 through GN 01702.525

Evidence and Application Requirements, GN 01743.205 through GN 01743.225

Completing the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) Screen, MSOM MCS 009.011

Completing the SSA-2490 Screens, MSOM MCS 007.001

GN 01744.012 How Federal Benefits Unit Manila Processes and Develops Claims Filed with the Australian Agency

A. How do you process a claim in Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) Manila?

When a non-entitled person contacts Centrelink to file a claim for U.S. benefits, that agency routes form AUS187 (Liaison form) to FBU Manila. Evidence of working life residence periods (AUS187) will be included if available. If Centrelink is aware that the person is already receiving U.S. benefits, they will restrict the claim to Australian benefits only and request a U.S. coverage record directly from DIO, if one is needed.

B. What is the procedure for processing claims in FBU Manila?

This procedure explains how FBU Manila should process referrals from Centrelink.

1. Claimant Entitled to U.S. Benefits

Forward all material to DIO annotated “already entitled to U.S. benefits.”

2. Claimant Not Entitled to U.S. Benefits

a. Appropriate SSA Applications

Secure appropriate SSA applications. Use the teleclaim process or, if not available, mail appropriate applications to the claimant.

b. Retirement and Disability Claims

In retirement and disability claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MSOM MCS 009.011) and the SSA-2490 screens (see MSOM MCS 007.001).

c. Survivor Claims

In survivor claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MSOM MCS 009.011) and Part I of the paper or electronic (e-form) application Form SSA-2490-BK.

d. Claim to DIO

Forward the Claim to DIO and include the form AUS187.

C. References

Completing the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen, MSOM MCS 009.011

Completing the SSA-2490 Screen, MSOM MCS 007.001

GN 01744.105 Australian Coverage Certification

A. What is the policy for using the form AUS187 Australian Liaison?

Form AUS187 Australian Liaison Form is the only acceptable form for the certification of Australian coverage. Certifications in any other format should be forwarded to the DIO for a determination as to their acceptability.

B. What is included in the form AUS187 Australian Liaison?

1. Periods of Australian Coverage-Item 1

Periods of Australian coverage are certified in item 3.

2. Columns 1 and 2

The first two columns contain periods of Australian working life residence shown in the American style; i.e., month/year.

3. Third Column

The third column contain the number of years and months of coverage with each coverage period. The bottom blocks in this section indicates the total coverage for all periods.

4. ITEM 6

The signature of the Australian technician who completed the form, the date, and the official stamp of Centrelink are entered in Item 4.

C. What is an example of form AUS187?

Click on the PDF to view example of form AUS187.

View In PDF

GN 01744.106 How to Evaluate Australian Coverage Certifications

A. What are the entries that must be shown?

There are some entries that must be shown on the Australian coverage record before it can be used to credit Australian coverage. GN 01744.106B describes the entries required for an acceptable Australian coverage record.

B. What are the required entries?

The required entries are as follows:

  • •

    The correct worker's name must be shown in Item 2 on form AUS187.

  • •

    An entry must be shown in columns 1 and 2 for each period in which there is an entry in the “years/months” column in Item 3.

  • •

    A “years/months” entry must be shown for each period entered in columns 1 and 2and the number of years and months must be equal to or less than the number of months and years in the corresponding first two columns.

  • •

    The form AUS187 must be properly certified, including the signature and official stamp in Item 6.

  • •

    If any of the required information is missing, route the case to DIO for evaluation.

GN 01744.235 Facts About the Australian Liaison FormAUS187

A. When to use form AUS187?

Centrelink uses form AUS187 to:

  • •

    Transmit material to DIO or FBU Manila

  • •

    Send information to DIO or FBU Manila, and

  • •

    Request information from DIO.

B. What is an example of form AUS187?

Click on the PDF to view example of form AUS187.

View In PDF

 

C. What is the description of form AUS187?

1. Part 1

Part 1 contains information about the claimant.

2. Part 2

Part 2 contains information about the worker. All dates provided by Centrelink are verified..

3. Part 3

Part 3 contains information about the spouse or former spouse. All dated provided by Centrelink are verified.

4. Part 4

Part 4 contains information provided by Australia, including the protective filing date (lodgement date).

5. Part 5

Part 5 contains a list of the type of information that Centrelink might request from DIO along with the remark that the information is needed to process a claim under the agreement. Centrelink needs all benefit rates from the date of entitlement but not prior to the beginning date of the agreement, October 1, 2002.

6. Part 6

Part 6 contains remarks.

7. Part 7

Part 7 contains the signature and date.

D. What is the procedure for handling foreign agency liaison forms?

In addition to the procedures for handling foreign agency liaison forms contained in GN 01704.400 through GN 01704.990, return to Centrelink any request that does not indicate that it is needed to process a claim under the agreement unless

  • •

    written consent to disclose in attached or

  • •

    the file contains an SSA-2490 signed by the claimant.

GN 01744.310 Australian Agency Requests for Medical Examinations

A. What is the procedure for a medical examination?

If Centrelink requests a medical examination for a U.S. resident, SSA will schedule the examination and send the results to Centrelink International Services.

B. What is the medical examination process?

The following process is used for obtaining medical examination for Australia. (See GN 01704.810 for general information on processing requests for medical examinations.)

1. Centrelink Requests for Medical Examinations

Centrelink requests for medical examinations are made in item D on form AUS187.

2. SSA Schedules Examination or Forwards Pertinent Medical Evidence

SSA schedules an examination or forwards “pertinent medical evidence” from SSA files.

Pertinent medical evidence is evidence that was obtained by SSA in connection with a continuing disability review or a disability claim filed or adjudicated within a year of the date for which Centrelink has specifically requested medical evidence.

SSA's files include claims folders in DIO, in OCO's Megasite, or in the caves in Kansas City.

3. SSA Requests Reimbursement for Cost of Medical Examinations

SSA requests reimbursement for the cost of medical examinations obtained for Australia using form SSA-1278-AUS (USA/AUS-9). Once completed, this form should be scanned into the electronic file.

NOTE: This form may be printed from the SSA Totalization Forms section of the Totalization Resource Kit.

C. Reference

Requests for Medical Examinations/Evidence, GN 01704.810


GN 01744 TN 1 - OIO and FSP Processing Under the Agreement With Australia - 12/31/2024