The entitlement factors which must be established for Dutch retirement claims are:

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  age of worker

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  marriage or living with another person, if a spouse's/partner's supplement claimed

The entitlement factors which must be established for Dutch survivors claims are:

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  death of worker

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  age of surviving spouse and date of marriage, if widow(er) benefit claimed

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  date of divorce, if divorced widow(er) benefit claimed

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  age and relationship of child, if child's benefit or supplement claimed

The entitlement factors which must be established for Dutch disability claims are:

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  age of worker

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  degree of disability (medical evidence)

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 Dutch 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 OIO without the evidence. Advise the applicant that the responsible Dutch agency will contact him/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 ff.

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  Proof of death in GN 00304.000 ff.

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  Proof of marriage in GN 00305.000 ff.

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  Proof of parent/child relationship in GN 00306.000 ff.

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

Obtain a record of the NH's U.S. coverage in all claims for Dutch benefits. When the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Dutch benefits, completion of the MCS screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Dutch claim.

When a claimant files for Dutch benefits only, which is a complex MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS). For more information about requesting a U.S. earnings record, see GN 01702.215C.3.

If the claimant was born before 1942, indicate in the “Remarks” section of the paper Form SSA-2490-BK the claimant's place(s) of residence from age 59 on. If the claim is taken on MCS, enter this information on the TOTALIZATION REMARKS (FRMK) screen. The Dutch agency needs this information to determine whether to compute the Dutch benefit using noncontributory coverage credits (see GN 01725.125A.1.).

The amount of the Dutch retirement pension may be increased if the claimant shares a household with another person (partner). The claimant and the partner do not have to be married and can be the same sex. Indicate in the “Remarks” section of the paper Form SSA-2490-BK whether the claimant shares his/her household with another person. If the claim is taken on MCS, the FOREIGN RESIDENCE (FRES) screen contains a question asking for this information. The Dutch agency will use this information in determining the retirement pension amount.

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 may be needed by the Netherlands.

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  Send any medical evidence that is submitted along with the claims file to OIO.

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  Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available. Advise the claimant that the Dutch agency will contact him/her directly, if necessary, to obtain additional evidence.

Follow the instructions in GN 01702.200 - GN 01702.215 to process claims for Dutch disability benefits and concurrent title II disability claims.