TN 10 (01-98)

A. Policy

1. General

Develop all claims for, or on behalf of, persons in the Philippines through the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU).

Send all correspondence for persons living in the Philippines through the FBU.

2. Requests for birth certificates

Get written authorization from the appropriate person when asking the FBU to secure, or examine, a public birth record. The statement must show that the person authorizes the FBU to examine the record of his birth.

Secure the statement from the:

1. Individual whose record is to be examined;

2. Next of kin if the person whose record is to be examined is dead, or

3. Parent or guardian if the person whose record is to be examined is under age 18.

Provide the FBU with the claimant's address if the person whose record is to be examined is in the Philippines. The FBU will contact him for the authorization.

Note: The FBU employees are prevented by Philippine law from securing copies of, or examining, public (i.e., civil) birth records without the authorization of the person whose record is involved.

B. Procedure

1. General

Send correspondence, claims inquiries and applications to:

• Social Security Administration

  American Embassy

  1201 Roxas Boulevard

  Ermita 0930

  PHILIPPINES

2. FO action on claims and claims inquiries

Send requests assistance to the International Benefits Office (IBO), Office of Earnings and International Operations (OEIO), Division of International Operations (DIO) for obtaining applications from potential claimants in the Philippines.

With the application, claims material and other pertinent information if an application or inquiry is received directly from an individual in the Philippines.

Use an SSA-562-U3 or the electronic SSA-562. Attach the authorization to the SSA-562-U3 if a birth certificate is requested.

Diary the request for 60 days with 45-day followups.

3. Appeals cases

The Administrative Law Judge or Appeals Council sends requests for development to the International Benefits Office (IBO), the Office of Earnings and International Operations (OEIO), Division of International Operations (DIO).

C. Process

The FBU personally contacts each claimant to establish his identity and inform him about deduction events and third-party assistance. If a personal contact is not made, the FBU explains why and undertakes any necessary development. It returns the completed file, including the completed development, to the requesting office.