• •

  Worker's date of birth; and

• •

  Worker's Portuguese insurance number.

When a worker files an application for retirement benefits, obtain the following evidence:

• •

  Worker's date of birth; and

• •

  Worker's Portuguese insurance number; and

• •

  Marital status; if the person claims a spouse's supplement; and

• •

  Date of birth for all family members; and

• •

  Type of covered work in the United States (if the person claims a benefit under one of the occupational systems, see GN 01727.010).

The entitlement factors that a person must establish for Portuguese survivors claims are:

• •

  Date of death of worker; and

• •

  Date of birth of applicant; and

• •

  Date of marriage (if a surviving spouse is applying for benefits); and

• •

  Date of divorce, if applicable; and

• •

  Type of covered work in the United States (if the person claims a benefit under one of the occupational systems, see GN 01727.010).

The entitlement factors that a person must establish for Portuguese disability claims are:

• •

  Worker's date of birth; and

• •

  Worker's Portuguese insurance number: and

• •

  Degree of disability and cause of impairment (medical evidence); and

• •

  Type of covered work in the United States (if the person claims a benefit under one of the occupational systems, see GN 01727.010).

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

• •

  GN 01727.210E.1, Proof of type of covered work in the U.S.

• •

  GN 00302.000, Proof of age

• •

  GN 00304.000, Proof of death

• •

  GN 00305.000, Proof of marriage and divorce

• •

  GN 00306.000, Proof of child relationship and dependency

• •

  RS 00205.350B1, Proof of school attendance

• •

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

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

• •

  Send a certified photocopy of the relevant evidence with the Portuguese claim to OEIO if you will send the concurrent Title II claim to a program service center (PSC) other than OEIO.

• •

  Include a master beneficiary record (MBR) printout in the claims file sent to OEIO to show which factors, other than disability, SSA has already verified in a prior file.

Obtain a record of the NH's U.S. coverage in all claims for Portuguese benefits. When the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Portuguese benefits, completion of the modernized claims system (MCS) screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Portuguese claim. When a claimant files for Portuguese benefits only, which is a complex MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MSOM ICERS 001.004.

NOTE: Evidence of lag wages is not needed for Portuguese claims.

1. a. 

   Accept any medical evidence the applicant submits when the claim is for Portuguese benefits only. Do not attempt to secure evidence for the applicant or offer advice as to what types of evidence Portugal needs; and

2. b. 

   Photocopy the evidence, certify the copy and return the original to the applicant. See GN 00301.105 for information about certifying evidence for Totalization claims, and

3. c. 

   Do not hold claims for Portuguese benefits for prolonged periods pending receipt of evidence; and

4. d. 

   Send any medical evidence that the applicant submits along with the claims file to OEIO at the address in GN 01702.310; and

5. e. 

   Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available and advise the applicant that the Portuguese agency will contact them directly, if necessary, to obtain needed evidence; and

6. f. 

   If an applicant is unable to obtain the necessary evidence within a reasonable period, transmit the claim without the evidence to the Division of International Operations (DIO) at this address.

7. g. 

   Applicants filing for benefits from one of the special occupational systems in Portugal will need to establish the type of work the number holder (NH) performed in the United States. If the applicant asks for guidance, suggest that person get a statement from the NH's employer or union (if the employer is out of business), showing the type of occupation and the dates of employment in that occupation.

   Social Security Administration

   OEIO - DIO

   P.O. Box 17769

   Baltimore, MD 21235-7769

   USA

   NOTE: If a courier services used, mail to:

   Social Security Administration

   Division of International Operations

   6100 Wabash Avenue

   Baltimore, Maryland 21215

8. h. 

   Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the FO sent the Portuguese claim to DIO. Show, "Totalization" as the ISSUE; and

9. i. 

   Inform the applicant that the responsible Portuguese agency will contact them directly to obtain any additional documents or evidence to make a determination.

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

Document the file as follows:

• •

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

• •

  For concurrent Title II claims, send the claim and relevant evidence to the Program Service Center (PSC) of jurisdiction. Electronically send a certified photocopy of the relevant evidence with then Portuguese claim to DIO.

To process Portuguese disability benefits and concurrent Title II disability claims, follow the instructions in GN 01702.400 through GN 01702.415.