If you are a citizen of the United States and receive Social Security disability payments based on your own work record, you can most likely keep your benefits if you move out of the U.S. However, there are some countries where the Social Security Administration cannot send benefits. You may have to work out other arrangements or apply for an exception if you move to one of these countries.
You may also have to file special reports if you live overseas. If you are only visiting another country and do not leave the United States or one of its territories (U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa) for more than 30 days, there should not be any concern with your Social Security Disability benefits.
Several Factors Determine Whether You Can Keep Your Benefits
Several factors determine how moving to another country for a month or more can affect your disability benefits. This includes:
- Whether you receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income
- Where you move (you can use the Social Security Administration’s payments abroad screening tool to determine whether you can receive payments after moving out of the U.S.)
- How long you remain overseas
- Your citizenship status
- Whose work history you qualify based on
In general, citizens who move to a country where the Social Security Administration can send payments can continue to receive some types of benefits. This may be different if you:
- Are not a citizen, but have legal residency status; or
- Get benefits based on someone else’s work history (i.e., you are a dependent or survivor)
For a free legal consultation, call 412-661-1400
Keeping Social Security Disability Insurance When You Move Overseas
You can most likely continue to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits if:
- You are a citizen; and
- You qualify based on your own record; and
- You live in an approved country; and
- You plan to stay in another country for six months or less
- You may be able to continue drawing benefits beyond the six-month mark. You will need to maintain the proper paperwork and may also need to return to the United States for an eligibility review on a regular basis.
Drawing Supplemental Security Income While Living in Another Country
In most circumstances, you cannot continue to draw Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you move outside the United States. You may continue to receive benefits until you are in another country for 30 days, and you can get the Social Security Administration to reinstate your benefits after you have been back in the United States for a full 30 days.
We may also be able to help you find other options for getting the compensation you deserve. If you suffer from a disabling impairment because of an accident injury caused by someone else’s negligence, we may be able to help you build a strong case to support an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
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Talk to a Pittsburgh Disability Attorney About Your Concerns
If you have questions or concerns about what may happen to your Social Security disability payments if you move to another country, we can help you understand.
The Pittsburgh Social Security disability attorneys from Berger and Green will fight for the benefits we believe you deserve based on the facts of your case. Call our team today at 412-661-1400 for your free case review.
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