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

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  Age of worker.

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  Marriage, if a spouse’s supplement is claimed.

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  Age and relationship of child, if child’s supplement claimed.

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

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  Death of worker.

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  Marriage, if widow’s or widower’s benefit is claimed.

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  Age and relationship of child, if child’s supplement claimed.

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  Age and relationship of parents, grandchildren or grandparents, if such benefits are claimed.

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

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  Age of worker.

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  Degree of disability (medical evidence).

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  Date of first medical examination establishing disability.

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  Marriage, if spouse’s supplement claimed.

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  Age and relationship of child, if child’s supplement claimed.

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 Japanese 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 Japanese 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:

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  Proof of age in GN 00302.000

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  Proof of age for applicants born on Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands, GN 00307.584

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  Proof of death in GN 00304.000

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  Proof of marital relationship in GN 00305.000

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  Proof of parent/child relationship in GN 00306.000.

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

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

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  Obtain proof of lag earnings if U.S. covered work in the lag period is alleged and the applicant is filing for any Japanese benefit. (See RS 01404.005 through RS 01404.018 for proof of lag wages and RS 01804.100 for proof of lag self-employment income.)

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

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  Send any medical evidence that is submitted along with the claim to OIO in Baltimore at the following address:

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    Social Security Administration

    OIO - Totalization
    
    P.O. Box 17040
    
    Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7049
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  Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available and advise the applicant that the Japanese agency will contact him or her directly, if necessary, to obtain needed evidence.

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