POMS Reference

RS 02001: International Agreements

TN 11 (09-92)

A. PROCESS — WORKER OR EMPLOYER ACTION

A worker or employer who wishes to apply for a special exception writes to the agency in the country where the worker wishes to be covered at the address given below.

COUNTRY OF COVERAGE ADDRESS
U.S.
Social Security Administration
Office of International Policy
P.O. Box 17741
Baltimore, MD 21235-7741
Finland
The Ministry for Social Affairs and
  Health
Kirkkokatu 14
00170 Helsinki
FINLAND

The letter requesting the special exception should:

  • provide all of the information needed to issue a certificate (see RS 02001.748C.) and

  • explain why a special exception is desired.

B. PROCESS — AGENCY ACTION

This chart shows how a request for a special exception is processed by SSA and the Finnish Ministry for Social Affairs and Health.

STAGE WHAT HAPPENS

1

Agency in first country receives and evaluates request

  • if disapproved, notifies worker and/or employer that the request is denied

  • if approved, writes to agency in other country requesting concurrence

2

Agency in other country receives request for concurrence from first country

  • evaluates request and makes decision

  • notifies agency in first country of decision

3

Agency in first country receives decision from other country

  • if other country agrees, grants request and issues certificate of coverage

  • if other country disagrees, notifies worker and/or employer that request is denied