Under the Belgian disability insurance program, a disabled worker must receive short-term cash sickness benefits for one year before he or she can qualify for long-term disability benefits.  After the year is completed his or her condition is automatically evaluated by a board which determines eligibility for long-term disability benefits without an application from the worker.  Under Article 17.3, if the Belgian authorities notify SSA that they have determined a person to be eligible for disability benefits, SSA could recognize that notification to the extent permitted by U.S. law.  Because of limitations in U.S. law this provision is likely to have only minor significance.  SSA will consider the notification of the Belgian authorities as a “lead”.  If the notification includes a written statement signed by the worker and indicating an intent to claim U.S. benefits, the date that the statement is filed with the Belgian agency can be accepted as the date of filing for U.S. benefits.  If no such statement of the worker is included, SSA will seek to notify the claimant of his or her rights under U.S. law.