Collecting Social Security Disability While Living Abroad

If you are a disabled United States citizen who lives abroad, you may wonder if you are eligible to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration – or if you can continue receiving those benefits for which you have already been approved. The answer, as with many legal questions, depends upon a variety of factors. Let’s take a closer look at the disability benefits offered by the Social Security Administration and how living abroad might affect eligibility.

What Types of Disability Benefits Are Offered?

Your ongoing entitlement to benefits will depend upon what type of disability benefit you receive. The Social Security Administration provides two types of disability benefits. These include:

• Social Security Disability Insurance: Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI for short, is a benefit paid to individuals who have a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled for one continuous calendar year or more and who are “insured.” To be considered insured by the Social Security Administration, an individual must have worked a job for a sufficient length of time through which they regularly paid employment taxes out of their salary. The amount of SSDI benefits an individual receives is not based upon their particular condition but rather upon their work and earning history, among other factors.
• Supplemental Security Income: As with SSDI benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or SSI benefits for short, are benefits that are paid to individuals with a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled for one continuous calendar year or more. Unlike the case with SSDI benefits, however, an individual does not have to be insured to receive SSI benefits. Instead, they must have income and resources below a specific annual limit established by the Social Security Administration. As is the case with SSI benefits, an individual will not receive benefits based on their particular condition but rather upon other factors, such as their overall income and resource level, among other circumstances.

Each type of benefit has distinct differences, including how they will be considered with regard to ongoing payment when living abroad.

What Does “Living Abroad” Mean?

Prior to determining whether or not your benefits may be affected, it is important to understand what the Social Security Administration considers to be “living abroad.” To the Social Security Administration, “living abroad” means that you have been residing outside of the United States for at least 30 days.

As a general rule, those receiving either SSDI or SSI benefits may continue to receive those benefits if they are abroad for 30 days or less. However, those living abroad for more than 30 days may lose their entitlement to SSI benefits. Those who receive SSI benefits may resume those benefits upon returning to the United States if they still meet qualifying conditions. There is an exception to this rule that exists for children of military members who receive SSI and are stationed overseas. Those children may continue to receive benefits for longer than the standard 30-day limit.

If you receive SSDI benefits and you move abroad, you may normally continue to receive those benefits, but you should take certain steps to protect your right to do so. Those moving abroad should be certain to notify the Social Security Administration of an intended move, including the dates and location.

Additionally, disability recipients should be sure to keep the Social Security Administration updated on any change in immigration or citizenship status. Depending upon the nature of the move, it may also be necessary to update financial and banking information, in addition to your current address, to ensure that you continue to receive your payments as scheduled.

Are Any Countries Excluded?

It is also important to keep in mind that exceptions exist for certain countries like Cuba and North Korea. Those who choose to relocate to these countries will not be able to continue receiving disability benefits because the Social Security Administration is not allowed to send payments to those countries. Other countries that the SSA may not be able to send payments to include Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Disability Experts – Here For You

At Disability Experts, we know and understand every aspect of the law regarding disability benefits. We also understand exactly how important and helpful those benefits can be when you are unable to work and earn an income as you otherwise would. That’s why we’re passionate about helping you through the process of pursuing the benefits you need and deserve – and protecting your right to those benefits once you have them. Regardless of where you find yourself in this process, we’ll meet you where you are and walk with you each step of the way. If you are ready to get started, give us a call today. We’re here to help you and look forward to speaking with you soon.