Effective Dates: 04/12/2023 - Present Previous | Next

TN 2 (04-23)

GN 01731.210 Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for Finnish Benefits

A. Evidence requirements

When a person files for Finnish benefits, the applicant must submit certain types of evidence to support the claim.

B. SSA takes applications for benefits

Under the Agreement with Finland, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will take applications for both regular and Totalization benefits on behalf of Finland and provide limited assistance in obtaining evidence required to support the claim.

The following subsections show the types of evidence SSA personnel may use to support claims for Finnish benefits.

C. Using evidence previously submitted in claim for U.S. benefits

Applicants do not need to resubmit the evidence previously used and verified to establish factors of entitlement for U.S. Social Security benefits. The evidence previously submitted is sufficient for Finland to establish the same factor for Finnish benefits.

D. Establishing entitlement factors for Finnish retirement, survivors, and disability benefits

The following indicates what entitlement factors claimants must establish in claims for Finnish benefits.

1. Retirement

The entitlement factors claimants must establish for Finnish old-age claims are:

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    Age of worker; and

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    Citizenship (if National Pension benefit claimed).

2. Survivors

The entitlement factors claimants must establish for Finnish survivors claims are:

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    Age and death of worker; and

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    Age and marriage of the surviving spouse and age and relationship of child (if the surviving spouse benefit claimed); and

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    Age and relationship of child (if orphan's benefit claimed); and

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    Citizenship (if National Pension benefit claimed).

3. Disability

The entitlement factors claimants must establish for Finnish disability claims are:

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    Age of worker; and

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    Degree of disability (medical evidence).

E. Developing evidence for Finnish benefits

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

1. Accepting evidence

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    Accept any evidence the applicant wishes to submit.

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    If the applicant does not want to release an original document, photocopy the evidence, return the original to the applicant, and certify the copy. See GN 00301.105.

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    Do not hold claims for Finnish benefits for prolonged periods pending receipt of evidence.

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    If an applicant is unable to obtain needed evidence within a reasonable time, transmit the claim to Division of International Operations (DIO) without the evidence.

Social Security Administration

Division of International Operations

P.O. Box 17769

Baltimore, MD 21235-7769
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    Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the FO sent the Finnish claim to DIO. Show "Totalization" as the ISSUE; and

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    Advise the applicant that the responsible Finnish agency will contact the applicant directly to obtain any evidence it needs.

2. Research the types of evidence. Refer to the following if the applicant requests guidance on the type of evidence to submit.

See:

3. Document the file

Document the file to show when SSA already verified in a U.S. claim a factor of entitlement for a Finnish benefit.

a. Concurrent Title II claim

Send the claim and a photocopy of the relevant evidence to the Program Service Center (PSC) of jurisdiction. Electronically send a certified photocopy of the relevant evidence with the Finnish claim to DIO.

b. Prior Title II claim

Indicate on the Finnish benefit claim file any factor of entitlement verified previously for the U.S. claim.

4. Obtain the Number Holder's (NH's) U.S. earnings record

Obtain a record of the NH's U.S. earnings in all claims for Finnish benefits.

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    When the claimant files for both U.S. and Finish benefits, complete the Modernized Claims System (MCS) screens. The MCS screens will automatically generate a separate U.S. earnings record for the Finnish claim.

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    When a claimant files for Finnish benefits only, which is a complex MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICER) per MS ICER 02101.004.

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    If the claimant alleges U.S. covered work in the lag period (current and preceding year), obtain proof of un-posted paid earnings in the lag period.

F. Developing medical evidence for disability claims

In addition to taking the actions in GN 01731.210D and E above, take the following actions when developing medical evidence for Finnish disability claims.

1. Finnish benefits only

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 Finland may need.

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

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    Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the FO sent the Finnish claim to DIO.

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    Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available.

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    Advise the claimant that the Finnish agency will contact them, if necessary, to obtain needed evidence.

2. Finnish benefits and concurrent Title II Claim

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

G. References

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    GN 00301.105, Certifying evidence for Totalization claims.

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    MS ICER 02101.004, Informational/Certified Earnings Records - Totalization (ICIC).

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    MS 03509.011, Totalization (TOTL) screen.

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    MS 03507.001, Introduction to SSA-2490 - Overview.

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    GN 00302.000, Proof of Age.

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    GN 00304.000, Proof of Death.

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    GN 00305.000, Proof of Marital Relationship.

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    GN 00306.000, Child Relationship and Dependency.

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    RS 01301.000, Living With, Contributions and One-Half Support.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201731210
GN 01731.210 - Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for Finnish Benefits - 04/12/2023
Batch run: 04/19/2023
Rev:04/12/2023