TN 2 (03-04)

A. Policy

Where an applicant could be entitled under more than one agreement, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will award benefits only under the agreement providing the greatest advantage to the claimant. Absent evidence to the contrary, we determine the agreement providing the greatest advantage in the following order.

• The agreement providing the earliest month of entitlement.

• Where the month of entitlement would be the same, the agreement under which we first receive all information necessary to pay benefits.

B. Procedure

1. Taking claims

When it appears the applicant could be entitled under more than one agreement, take an application for benefits under each agreement. If the applicant does not wish to file under all possible agreements, take a statement to that effect limiting the scope of the application to the desired agreement(s). The Office of International Operations (OIO) will adjudicate the claim and, when entitlement is established, notify the applicant under which agreement he or she will receive benefits.

2. Adjudicating claims—OIO procedures

If entitlement is established, award benefits under the agreement providing the greatest advantage to the claimant. (Do not prepare a disallowance notice denying benefits under any other agreements.) If you cannot establish entitlement under any agreement, prepare a disallowance notice advising the applicant of the total combined U.S. and foreign coverage under each agreement.