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FS The SSR cannot count any QQ after December 31, 1996, if the applicant or the person whose SSN is being used received a federal means-tested public benefit during the quarter. The SSR should take the following three steps:

Step 1: The SSR should review the applicant’s record. Do these codes which represent QQs add up to 40? • If 'Yes,' the applicant meets the exception requirement. • If 'No,' are there current or prior years' earnings which are not shown in the QQ pattern? • If 'Yes,' develop as described in Section 7.9.7: Reconciliation in this Chapter. • If the total now equals 40 or more, the applicant meets the exemption requirement. Step 2: The SSR reviews other records for the periods which can be used (during the marriage for a spouse and under age 18 for a parent). The SSR should add the codes which represent a QQ on these records to the applicant's record to see if they equal 40. • If 'Yes,' the applicant meets the exception requirement. • If 'No,' consider current and prior taxable year earnings as in Step 1. • If the total when these are added equals 40, the applicant meets the exception requirement. • If 'No,' go to Step 3. Step 3: On all records, the SSR should review the Minimum Number QCs 1937-1950 field. • If these can be used (see Step 2), add them to the total. Does the total equal 40? • If 'Yes,' the applicant meets the exception requirement. • If 'No', continue. Review the Maximum Number of QCs 1937-1950 field and look at the QC patterns for codes # and Z. • If the maximum number and/or the code # and Z will equal 40 when added to the total, refer the case to SSA as described in Section 7.9.7: Reconciliation in this Chapter. • If the total still does not equal 40, continue. Review the QQ pattern with the applicant. • If the applicant believes that quarters are missing, refer the case to SSA as described in Section 7.9.7: Reconciliation in this Chapter. • If the applicant believes the records are correct, s/he cannot meet the exception requirements.

The following chart will assist the SSR in determining whether the individual has the level of earnings to produce a QQ.