TN 13 (02-23)

GN 01729.215 Applications for Benefits Under the Austrian Agreement

A. Filing for benefits using multiple application forms

1. Form SSA-2490-BK

An applicant filing for benefits under the agreement with Austria must complete Form SSA-2490-BK (Application For Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security Agreement). This is true whether the applicant is filing for benefits only from the United States, only from Austria, or from both countries.

2. Special Austrian application forms

In addition to Form SSA-2490-BK, an applicant for Austrian benefits must complete one or more special Austrian application forms. The form(s) will vary depending on the type of benefit. Field Offices (FO) do not take these application forms. After receiving a claim for Austrian benefits filed with SSA, the Austrian agency will:

  • mail the appropriate Austrian application forms to the applicant; and

  • include instructions for the applicant to complete the forms so the applicant can mail the forms directly to the Austrian agency (along with any additional required evidence).

B. Using the Modernized Claims System (MCS) version of Form SSA-2490-BK

1. When to use the SSA-2490-BK in MCS

Form SSA-2490-BK (Application for Benefits under a U.S. International Social Security Agreement) is available through MCS. The MCS version of Form SSA-2490-BK is an option for filing only when the number holder (NH) is filing for:

  • U.S. retirement or disability Totalization benefits only; or

  • U.S. retirement or disability benefits (regular or Totalization) and concurrently for Austrian benefits.

2. When not to use the SSA-2490-BK in MCS

Do not use the MCS version of Form SSA-2490-BK when the applicant is filing for:

  • Austrian benefits only; or

  • U.S. or Austrian survivors benefits.

Use the paper or electronic Form SSA-2490-BK for Totalization survivor claims. For instructions on how to complete the SSA-2490-BK, see GN 01702.110.

NOTE: It is not necessary to take an SSA-2490-BK in claims for U.S. auxiliary benefits in life cases or in survivor cases where there was a previously approved award in a life case, since the NH previously completed one in connection with their application for benefits.

3. Completing the required SSA-2490-BK screens in MCS

Use the following information to determine the application screens to complete when taking claims under the agreement with Austria for U.S. Totalization or Austrian benefits.

a. U.S. Totalization benefits only

  • In retirement or disability applications, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the Totalization (TOTL) screen (see MS 03509.011), and the SSA-2490 screens (see MS 03507.001).

  • In survivor claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the Totalization (TOTL) screen (see MS 03509.011) and Part I of the paper or electronic form SSA-2490-BK.

b. Austrian benefits only (regular or Totalization)

 

Complete Parts I and II of the paper or electronic Form SSA-2490BK since applications for Austrian benefits only (regular or Totalization) are MCS exclusions.

c. Austrian benefits (regular or Totalization) and U.S. benefits (regular or Totalization)

  • For retirement or disability applications, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the Totalization (TOTL) screen (See MS 03509.011), and the SSA-2490 screens (See MS 03507.001).

  • For survivors applications, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the Totalization (TOTL) screen (see MS 03509.011), and both parts of the two-part paper or electronic Form SSA-2490-BK.

C. Field Office (FO) procedure for processing special application form

1. The application process

Along with the form SSA-2490-BK, an applicant for Austrian benefits must complete one or more special Austrian application forms. The form(s) required vary depending on the type of benefit claimed.

FOs do not take the special Austrian application forms. After receiving an application for Austrian benefits filed with SSA, the Austrian agency mails the appropriate Austrian application forms to the applicant. The Austrian agency instructs the applicant to complete the forms and mail them directly to the Austrian agency with any required evidence for the application process.

2. Procedure of filing an application

If an applicant brings one of the Austrian application forms to the FO, the FO should:

  • accept, photocopy, and certify the photocopied application;

  • photocopy and certify any additional documents (evidence) the Austrian agency requested the applicant to include with the Austrian claim;

  • request an "Informational/Certified Earnings Record" (ICERS) as described in MS ICERS 02101.004;

  • return to the applicant any original evidence documents and the certified photocopy of the application; and

  • send the original Austrian application and any certified photocopies or additional claims material to the Division of International Operations (DIO) in Baltimore at the following address:

 

 

Social Security Administration

Division of International Operations

P.O. Box 17769

Baltimore, MD 21235-7769

FAX number: 410-966-1861

Note: If courier service is used, mail to:

Social Security Administration

Division of International Operations

6100 Wabash Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21215

 

Once DIO receives the claim, they will send the claim directly to the Austrian agency along with the evidence and the worker's U.S. earnings record. DIO will annotate the MDW to show the type of claim and the date they forwarded the claim to the Austrian agency.

D. References

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

  • GN 01702.310, Routing of Claims for U.S. Benefits Involving Totalization

  • MS 03507.001, Introduction to SSA-2490 - Overview

  • MS 03509.011, Totalization (TOTL) screen


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201729215
GN 01729.215 - Applications for Benefits Under the Austrian Agreement - 02/08/2023
Batch run: 02/08/2023
Rev:02/08/2023