Effective Dates: 12/08/1994 - Present Previous | Next

TN 2 (12-94)

GN 01711.210 Developing Evidence in Claims for Norwegian Benefits

A. Introduction

The following subsections show the types of evidence that may be used to support claims for Norwegian benefits.

B. Policy - General

1. Applications/Evidence

Under the agreement with Norway, SSA will take applications for both regular and totalization benefits on behalf of Norway and provide limited assistance in obtaining evidence needed to support the claim.

2. Using U.S. Evidence

Evidence which is used to establish a factor of entitlement for U.S. Social Security benefits may also be used by Norway to establish the same factor for Norwegian benefits. Consequently, it is unnecessary for the applicant to submit additional evidence to document a factor of entitlement for Norwegian benefits when that factor has already been verified for SSA purposes.

C. Policy - Entitlement factors

The following factors of entitlement must be established in claims for Norwegian benefits.

1. Retirement

Factors for retirement claims are:

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    age of worker

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    marriage, if spouse's supplement claimed

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    age and relationship of child, if child's supplement claimed

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    marriage, divorce and age of divorced spouse, if divorced spouse's benefits claimed

2. Survivors

Factors for survivors claims are:

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    death of worker

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    age of deceased worker and claimants

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    marriage, if widow(er)'s benefit claimed

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    relationship of child, if child's benefits claimed

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    marriage and divorce, if divorced widow's benefit claimed

3. Disability

Factors for disability claims are:

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    age of worker

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    degree of disability (medical evidence)

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    marriage, if spouse's supplement claimed

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    age and relationship of child, if child's supplement claimed

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    marriage, divorce and age, if divorced spouse's benefits claimed

D. Procedure - General

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

1. Accepting 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 Norwegian 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 OIO without the evidence. Advise the applicant that the responsible Norwegian agency will contact him or her directly to obtain any evidence it needs.

2. Types of Evidence

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

3. Documentation

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

a. Concurrent title II claim

Send a photocopy of the relevant evidence with the Norwegian claim to OIO if the concurrent title II claim will be sent to a PSC other than OIO.

b. Prior title II claim

Include an MBR printout in the claims file sent to OIO to show which factors, other than disability, have been verified in a prior file.

4. Record of NH's U.S. Coverage

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    Obtain proof of lag earnings through the quarter of filing for disability claims and the quarter of filing or death for survivor claims.

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    Obtain a record of the NH’s U.S. coverage in all claims for Morwegian benefits. When the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Norwegian benefits, completion of the modernized claims system (MCS) screen will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Norwegian/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MSOM 231-C.

E. Procedure - Surviving spouse's claims

In addition to taking the actions in GN 01711.210D., take the following actions when developing Norwegian surviving spouse's claims.

1. Statement of Applicant's Work

Obtain a statement on Form SSA-795 from the applicant stating whether he or she has any employment or self-employment during the lag period.

2. Evidence of Applicant's Lag Earnings

Obtain evidence of the surviving spouse's lag earnings through the quarter of filing or death.

3. Record of Applicant's U.S. Earnings Record

Obtain a record of the surviving spouse's U.S. coverage in all claims for Norwegian surviving spouse's benefits. (NOTE: This is in addition to the NH's earnings record requested in GN 01711.210D.4.) Request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICRES) per MSOM 231-C

F. Procedure - Disability claims

In addition to taking the actions in GN 01711.210D., take the following actions when developing medical evidence for Norwegian disability claims.

1. Norwegian 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 Norway.

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    Send any medical evidence that is submitted along with the claims file to OIO at the following address,

    Social Security Adminstration

    OIO - Totalization

    P.O. Box 17049

    Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7039

  • •

    Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available. Advise the claimant that the Norwegian agency will contact him or her, if necessary, to obtain needed evidence.

2. Norwegian Benefits and Concurrent Title II Claim

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

G. References

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    Certifying evidence for totalization claims, GN 00301.105

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    Lag earnings, RS 01404.005

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    Requesting and Informational/Certified Earnings Record, MSOM 231-C

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    Totalization (TOTL) screen, MSOM 19-J

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    Completing the SSA-2490 on MCS, MSOM 29

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    Using U.S. coverage for Norwegian benefits, GN 01711.125

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201711210
GN 01711.210 - Developing Evidence in Claims for Norwegian Benefits - 12/08/1994
Batch run: 03/19/2014
Rev:12/08/1994