The entitlement factors that must be established for Belgian retirement claims are:

1. a. 

   Age of worker

2. b. 

   Marriage, if the worker has a dependent spouse

3. c. 

   Marriage, divorce and age of divorced wife, if a divorced wife's benefit is claimed.

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

1. a. 

   Date of death of worker

2. b. 

   Age and marriage, if a widow(er) benefit is claimed

3. c. 

   Marriage, divorce and age of divorced widow, if a divorced widow's benefit is claimed.

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

1. a. 

   Degree of disability (medical evidence)

2. b. 

   Date of marriage, if the worker has a dependent spouse.

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 Belgian 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 Office of International Operations (OIO) without the evidence. Advise the applicant that the responsible Belgian agency will contact him or her directly to obtain any evidence it needs.

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

1. a. 

   Proof of age in GN 00302.000

2. b. 

   Proof of death in GN 00304.000

3. c. 

   Proof of marriage and divorce in GN 00305.000.

Applicants filing for Totalization retirement benefits as miners or seamen will need to establish the type of work they performed in the United States and the length of time they performed that type of work (see GN 01713.125A.1.). If the applicant asks for guidance, suggest that he or she obtain a statement from the employer showing the type of work performed and the dates of employment in that type of work.

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

1. a. 

   Obtain proof of lag earnings through the quarter of filing or death in all claims for Belgian benefits. (Lag earnings are always needed since Belgium counts a worker's U.S. quarters of coverage in computing the amount of the Belgian benefit.)

2. b. 

   Obtain a record of the NH's U.S. coverage in all claims for Belgian benefits. When the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Belgian benefits, completion of the modernized claims system (MCS) screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Belgian claim. When a claimant files for Belgian benefits only, which is a complex MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MSOM 231-C.

1. a. 

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

2. b. 

   Send any medical evidence that is submitted along with the claims file to OIO at the address in GN 01702.310.

3. c. 

   Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available and advise the applicant that the Belgian agency will contact him or her directly, if necessary, to obtain needed evidence.

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