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for the latest date the individual entered the country prior to August 22, 1996; and whether the customer left the country between that date and the date s/he achieved 'qualified' status, and if so, how long the individual was absent from the U.S. on those trips. The SSR should document the answers to these questions in the case file.

DETERMINING QUALIFYING QUARTERS 7.9

Determining Whose Qualifying Quarters Can Count Toward the 40-Quarters Criteria 7.9.1

MA N/A TANF N/A GC N/A FS The qualifying quarters of the following individuals can be added to those of the applicant when determining whether an applicant has 40 qualifying quarters for the purposes of FS eligibility: • applicant’s Natural Parents (unless the child has been adopted): Use only the quarters earned while the applicant was under age 18; • applicant's Adoptive Parents: Use only the quarters earned while the applicant was under age 18; • applicant's Step-parent (provided the step-relationship still exists unless terminated by the MA N/A TANF N/A GC N/A FS In some instances, an alien will only be eligible for FS benefits if s/he has '40 qualifying quarters' of work history. In other cases, an immigrant who is sponsored may qualify for an exemption to deeming his/her sponsor’s income and resources, if s/he has “40 qualifying quarters” of work history. The term 'qualifying quarter' (QQ) originated in the Social Security Program. In order for anyone, citizen or alien, to be eligible for Social Security benefits, the individual must have a specified number of qualifying quarters. An individual can earn up to four qualifying quarters per year based on his/her earnings. For example, in 1998, an individual must earn $700 to earn a single qualifying quarter in a year. If an individual earns less than $700 in 1998, no quarters are earned. If an individual earns at least $2,800 in 1998, four quarters are earned. When determining qualifying quarters, the actual dates an individual earned the income does not matter. If an individual earns $10,000 in 1998, s/he would earn four qualifying quarters for that year, even if s/he only worked one month during the year. When determining whether an alien has 40 qualifying quarters, the applicant's own qualifying quarters based on his/her own earnings and quarters earned by his/her parents and/or spouse (with certain exceptions) can be combined. For example, if an applicant has earned 25 qualifying quarters, and his/her spouse has earned 15, the applicant meets the 40-quarter criteria. Thus, when interviewing an applicant who is an alien and who may qualify for FS based on the 40-qualifying quarters criteria, the SSR must determine whether the applicant's parent(s) worked in the United States while the applicant was a minor and whether the applicant's current or former spouse (if the marriage ended due to the death of the spouse) worked in the United States while they were married.