TN 49 (08-08)

A. Procedure - claims filed by individuals residing outside of U.S.

Transfer any disability, disabled widow(er), or childhood disability claim filed by or on behalf of an individual physically residing outside the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or Puerto Rico to OIO. OIO field code is E15.

If the claim is a paper disability folder, transfer to E15 then mail to:

A disability claim includes a request for a disability determination for Medicare filed by a mother, surviving divorced mother, or widow (er) beneficiary age 50-64 who alleges disability within the prescribed period. The prescribed period for Medicare purposes for DWB cases extends to age 65 rather than age 60.

B. Totalization claims filed by individuals residing outside the U.S.

Totalization Claims are the jurisdiction of OIO. See International Social Security (Totalization) Agreements. See GN 01701.005 for a description of the totalization program.

Process the field office (FO) portion (technical denial) of most Totalization claims to completion through Modernized Claims Systems Earnings Computation (MCS EC) and forward the case to OIO through EDCS.

OIO is responsible for controlling the development of foreign work and the FO is responsible for allowing or denying the Title II claim based on Social Security Quarters of Coverage (QCs).

Disability claims filed under the totalization program fall into one of the following three categories. (NOTE: The insured status of the worker at the time of filing determines the category):

1. If the claimant has insured status without consideration of foreign work, the FO is responsible for processing the Title II claim. Send the disability claim to the State DDS for development of medical evidence and preparation of the disability determination. The FO adjudicates the claim after receiving the medical decision. If the claim is restricted to U.S. benefits, and the claimant lives within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands forward all material to the Program Service Center (PSC) based on Social Security Number (SSN) jurisdiction if over age 54 or to Office of Disability Operations (ODO) if the claimant is under age 54.

2. If the claimant has less than 6 QCs, the FO processes a denial for Title II and forward all development for processing the foreign benefit claim to:

   Social Security Administration
   Office of International Operations
   P.O. Box 17769
   Baltimore, MD 21235-7049

3. If the claimant has at least 6 QCs but is not fully insured based on U.S. work, the FO processes a Title II technical denial and forward development for determining eligibility for a U.S. totalized benefit to:

   Social Security Administration
   Office of International Operations
   P.O. Box 17769
   Baltimore, MD 21235-7049

   NOTE: Forward all totalization claims filed by or on behalf of individuals physically residing outside the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or Puerto Rico to OIO for medical development and the disability determination. See DDS Assistance for Certain Canadian Claims - DI 43510.055 for instructions on Canadian claims.