Effective Dates: 01/10/2019 - Present Previous | Next

Basic (01-19)

GN 01760.210 Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for Uruguayan Benefits

Under the agreement with Uruguay, the Social Security Administration (SSA) takes applications for both regular and Totalization benefits on behalf of Uruguay. SSA also provides limited assistance in obtaining evidence required to support the claim (see GN 01755.125).

A. Using evidence previously submitted for claims 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 Uruguay to establish the same factor for Uruguayan benefits.

B. Establishing entitlement factors for Uruguayan retirement, survivors and disability benefits

1. All claims

Establish entitlement factors as follows:

  • •

    worker's date of birth; and

  • •

    worker's Uruguayan social insurance number.

2. Retirement claims

Establish entitlement factors as follows:

  • •

    marital status;

  • •

    family composition;

  • •

    dates of birth of all family members; and

  • •

    disability status of all family members.

3. Survivor claims

Establish entitlement factors as follows:

  • •

    date and proof of death of the worker;

  • •

    date of marriage (if widow(er)'s benefit claim);

  • •

    widow(er)'s disability status (if widow(er)'s benefit claim); and

  • •

    age and relationship of child (if child's benefit claim).

4. Disability claims

The only additional entitlement factor for Uruguayan disability claims is the degree of the worker’s disability (medical evidence).

C. Developing evidence for Uruguayan benefits

Take the following actions when developing evidence to support claims for Uruguayan benefits:

1. Research the types of evidence. Refer to this chart if the applicant requests guidance on the type of evidence to submit:

Type of evidence

Reference

Age

GN 00302.000

Death

GN 00304.000

Marital relationship

GN 00305.000

Parent/child relationship

GN 00306.000

Support

RS 01301.000

2. Accepting evidence

Follow this process to accept evidence:

  • •

    accept any evidence the applicant submits;

  • •

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

  • •

    do not hold claims for Uruguayan benefits for prolonged periods pending receipt of evidence;

  • •

    if an applicant is unable to obtain the necessary evidence within a reasonable time, transmit the claim without the evidence to the Division of International Operations (DIO) using this address:

Social Security Administration

Office of Earnings and International Operations

Division of International Operations

P.O. Box 17769

Baltimore, MD 21235-7769
  • •

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

  • •

    inform the applicant that the responsible Uruguayan agency will contact him or her directly to obtain any necessary evidence to make a determination.

3. Documenting the file

Document the file as follows:

  • •

    indicate on the Uruguayan 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 the Uruguayan claim to DIO.

4. Obtain the number holder's (NH) U.S. earnings record

Obtain the NH's U.S. earnings records in all claims for Uruguayan benefits as follows:

  • •

    when the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Uruguayan benefits, complete the Modernized Claims System (MCS) screens. The MCS screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Uruguayan claim;

  • •

    when the applicant files for Uruguayan benefits only, which is an MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MS ICER 02101.004; and

  • •

    obtain proof of lag earnings (unposted paid earnings in the current preceding year) if U.S. covered work in the lag period is alleged and the applicant is filing for any Uruguayan benefit.

For proof of lag wages, see RS 01404.005 through RS 01404.018.

For proof of lag self-employment income, see RS 01804.100.

5. Developing medical evidence under the agreement

a. Uruguayan benefits only

  1. 1. 

    Accept any medical evidence the applicant submits when the claim is for Uruguayan benefits only. Do not attempt to secure evidence for the applicant or offer advice as to what types of evidence Uruguay may need.

  2. 2. 

    Send any medical evidence submitted and the claims file to OEIO at the following address:

Social Security Administration

Office of Earnings and International Operations

Division of International Operations

P.O. Box 17769

Baltimore, MD 21235-7769

3. Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the FO sent the Uruguayan claim to OEIO. Show "Totalization" as the ISSUE.

4. Transmit the file without medical evidence if the evidence is not readily available. Advise the applicant that the Uruguayan agency will contact him or her directly to obtain any required evidence

b. Uruguayan benefits and concurrent Title II claims

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

D. References

GN 01760.125 Application Process for Benefits Under the Agreement with Uruguay

GN 00302.000 Proof of Age

GN 00304.000 Proof of Death

GN 00305.000 Proof of Marital Relationship

GN 00306.000 Child Relationship and Dependency

RS 01301.000 Living With, Contributions and One-Half Support

GN 00301.105 Certification of Evidence for Totalization Claims

MS ICER 02101.004 Informational/Certified Earnings Record – Totalization (ICIC)

GN 01702.400 Developing Medical Evidence in Claims for U.S. Totalization Disability Benefits, through

GN 01702.415 Development of Medical Evidence and Routing of Claims for Foreign disability Benefits

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201760210
GN 01760.210 - Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for Uruguayan Benefits - 01/10/2019
Batch run: 01/10/2019
Rev:01/10/2019