Social Security Benefits U.S. Citizens Outside the United States
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 17, 2021
Over half a million people who live outside the United States receive some kind of Social Security benefit, including retired and disabled workers, as well as spouses, widows, widowers, and children.
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the United States as long as you are eligible. When we say you are “outside the United States,” we mean you’re not in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa. Once you’ve been outside the United States for at least 30 days in a row, we consider you to be outside the country.
If you are traveling outside the U.S. for an extended amount of time, it’s important that you tell Social Security the date you plan to leave and the date you plan to come back, no matter how long you expect your travel to last. Then we can let you know whether your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be affected.
You can use this online tool to find out if you can continue to receive your Social Security benefits if you are outside the United States or are planning to go outside the United States at www.socialsecurity.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html.
This tool will help you find out if your retirement, disability, or survivor’s payments will continue as long as you are eligible, stop after six consecutive calendar months, or if certain country specific restrictions apply.
When you live outside the United States, periodically we’ll send you a questionnaire. Your answers will help us figure out if you still are eligible for benefits. Return the questionnaire to the office that sent it as soon as possible. If you don’t, your payments will stop. In addition to responding to the questionnaire, notify us promptly about changes that could affect your payments.
You can also read the publication titled Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
Social Security is with you through life’s journey, even if that journey takes you outside the United States.
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Tags: Disability, retirement, Social Security benefits, SSI
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Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
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Ricardo R.
My name is Ricardo Ramirez with ss# *** – ** – *** Im a United States citizen retired and living in Colombia (S.A.) I receive my benefits every 3rd of the month however I have not received my benefits because Im blocked, they tell me SS hasn’t received my form when I mailed it out to the pennsylvania office over a month ago PLEASE I NEED HELP because this is my only way of paying my rent and eating. I was born december 18, 1935 my adress in Colombia is (calle 72 cr 52 A-27 3rd floor Barrio Santa Maria, Itagui Antioquia, Colombia tel. 057 372 8049 How can I resolve this problem?
R.F.
We are sorry to hear of this situation, Ricardo. For your security, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact their local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad.
Just a reminder – Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media channels. Thanks.
George W.
My wife and I are living in the Philippines after I retired over two years ago. We no longer have a US address. How can my wife get an SSA online account without having a US address?
R.F.
Thank you for your question, George. At this time, in order to create a “my Social Security” account, our authentication system requires address verification as one of the essential criteria for issuing an account. People with APO/FPO/DPO addresses can create an account overseas, but our system does not support registration and account creation for users with a foreign address.
We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact their local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps!
Salina B.
Hi, I’m in Australia and my husband got a stroke and I can’t travel back to America because of his medical condition and he is a united States citizens
R.F.
We’re sorry to hear about your husband’s medical situation, Salina. We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact their local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this helps.
Rodolfo P.
How do I notify the US Social Security Department that I am going to live a broad for a long time?
Thank you.
R.F.
Hello Rodolfo! It is important and required that you tell Social Security about your extended traveling or relocation to another country.
You will need to contact your local Social Security office.
To make an appointment or to speak with an agent, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week.
Please read “Social Security Benefits for U.S. Citizens Outside the United States” for more information.
Vicky T.
I did not receive my February social security benefits
R.F.
Hi Vicky! Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week, Thanks.
Kirk M.
That number is only toll free in the US. Any toll free numbers for US citizens living in foreign countries to use?
R.F.
Hello Kirk! We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact their local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. Thanks.
Vicky T.
I, Vicky T. Zimmerman, claim # *** – ** – *** did not receive my Social Security Benefits for the month of February 2018.
The reason why the questionnaire was delayed in sending back, because my son has the key to the Post Office mail box. He left to another Island as a missionary and when he came back and opened the Post Office box, there were two questionnaires. I received both on the same day. I answered right away and mailed January 10, 2018.
I am very sorry for the delay, from the bottom of my heart I apologize.
I would appreciate it very much if you could expedite the processing. I am 85 years old and this is my only source of income.
I am an American citizen, have retired, an residing permanently in Dumaguete, Philippines.
Thank you very much.
Very truly yours,
Vicky T. Zimmerman
R.F.
For assistance with your Social Security benefits, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy in your area. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps.
Safieh M.
hi, my name is SAFIEH M LUTFI
my social number is *** – ** – ***
have not received my check for the month of February yet
my question is ,why the reason of the delay of the check
Tony L.
Check is late. Why?
Tony L.
Trying to find out why l have not received my check for Feb. *** – ** – ***
J.Y.
If you do not receive your payment on your scheduled pay date, we usually advise people to wait three days after the date you normally receive it before calling us. To report a late or missing payment, contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Your bank may also be able to tell you why a deposit failed. For future reference, you can create a my Social Security account to change Direct Deposit online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount/.
Anna M.
I am moving from Italy back to the United States. I will stay with a friend till I relocate to a permanent address. I don’t have a bank account there. How can I receive my Social Security payments. I have Direct Deposit here in Italy until I move & close my account.