Can you collect Social Security Disability and live abroad? The answer depends on which type of benefits you receive and where you plan to live. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients can generally continue receiving their benefits in most foreign countries. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments stop after you’ve been outside the U.S. for 30 consecutive days.
Understanding these rules and working with experienced legal counsel can help protect your benefits when relocating internationally. At Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., our team has extensive experience helping clients understand how international relocation affects their disability benefits. We can review your specific situation to ensure you maintain the financial support you are entitled to.
To better understand your circumstances, call Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. at (214) 999-9999 to schedule a free consultation with a trusted Social Security Disability lawyer.
Living Abroad and SSDI Benefits
Social Security outside the U.S. follows specific regulations that every beneficiary should understand before making international moving plans. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will continue sending SSDI payments to eligible recipients living in most countries around the world, provided you remain eligible for benefits and comply with reporting requirements.
Factors influencing whether you can maintain your Social Security abroad include the following:
- Your disability status
- Your work history
- The country where you choose to reside
The SSA has agreements with numerous nations that allow for uninterrupted benefit payments. In many cases, these international agreements work to your advantage.
However, certain restrictions and requirements apply that make professional legal guidance invaluable. Social Security overseas payments remain subject to regular continuing disability reviews, and you must continue meeting all eligibility criteria regardless of your location.
Which Countries Are Excluded?
Due to federal regulations and Treasury Department restrictions, the SSA is unable to send payments to certain countries. Currently, these prohibited countries create an absolute bar to receiving Social Security abroad benefits, regardless of your citizenship or how long you’ve lived there:
- Cuba (with very limited exceptions for certain beneficiaries)
- North Korea (benefits cannot be sent)
- Azerbaijan (payments suspended since 2016)
- Belarus (restrictions apply to most beneficiaries)
- Kazakhstan (limited payment options available)
- Kyrgyzstan (suspended for most recipients)
- Tajikistan (payments generally unavailable)
- Turkmenistan (benefits cannot be sent)
- Uzbekistan (restrictions apply)
These restrictions arise from diplomatic and regulatory issues outside of Social Security’s direct control. If you relocate to a country that is prohibited, your benefits will be discontinued. However, they can be reinstated once you move to an eligible country. In many cases, you may also recover retroactive payments for the time your benefits were suspended, depending on your circumstances and how long you remained in the restricted location.
Additional restrictions may apply based on your citizenship status. Non-U.S. citizens face more complex regulations, and some may need to meet additional requirements to continue receiving benefits abroad. Certain countries have totalization agreements with the U.S. that can affect your benefits and tax obligations. Understanding these agreements requires careful analysis of your individual situation.
Do I Need to Notify the SSA If I Move Overseas?
Notifying the SSA about your international move is a mandatory requirement for maintaining your benefits. You must report your move before departing or within 10 days of arriving at your foreign address.
Failure to provide timely notification can result in benefit suspension or overpayment issues that become difficult to resolve from abroad. The notification process involves more than simply providing a new address. You’ll need to do the following:
- Complete Form SSA-21, the Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States
- Provide detailed contact information, including international phone numbers
- Establish a method for receiving SSA correspondence while abroad
- Update your banking information for international direct deposits
- Designate a representative payee if required by your destination country
Missing these critical communications or failing to respond promptly can jeopardize your benefits, making it essential to maintain reliable mail service and consider appointing a representative payee or experienced Social Security Disability attorney to assist with correspondence.
Will Medicare Cover Me While I’m Abroad?
Medicare generally does not provide coverage outside the U.S., with very limited exceptions for emergency care in certain situations. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) only covers medical services received in foreign countries under rare circumstances, such as when a foreign hospital is closer than a U.S. facility during a medical emergency while traveling through Canada between Alaska and the continental U.S.
Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited international coverage. Still, these benefits typically apply only to short-term travel rather than permanent residence abroad. Most Americans living overseas must secure private health insurance or enroll in their host country’s healthcare system to ensure adequate medical coverage. The U.S. government provides resources about maintaining benefits while living internationally, but Medicare’s limitations often surprise beneficiaries planning to relocate.
How a Social Security Disability Attorney Can Help
Quality legal representation becomes invaluable when dealing with international benefit issues, as the regulations governing Social Security abroad create additional layers of complexity. SSDI lawyers understand the complex rules that affect expatriate beneficiaries. They can guide you through every aspect of maintaining your benefits while living overseas, assisting international SSDI recipients by doing the following:
- Reviewing your destination country’s eligibility status
- Preparing proper SSA notifications and documentation
- Addressing payment method changes and banking requirements
- Responding to continuing disability reviews from abroad
- Resolving benefit suspensions or overpayment issues
At Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., our experience with international cases enables us to anticipate common pitfalls and help you avoid costly mistakes. Whether you face a benefit suspension, an overpayment issue, or a continuing disability review while abroad, we provide the advocacy you need. We communicate directly with the SSA on your behalf, reducing the challenges of international time zones and communication barriers.
Talk to Our Dallas Social Security Disability Lawyers Today
Since 1971, Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., has provided over 50 years of dedicated service to Social Security Disability clients, including those with international considerations. We’ve helped countless individuals maintain their benefits while pursuing their dreams of living abroad. Our extensive experience means we’ve encountered virtually every scenario that can arise when SSDI beneficiaries relocate internationally.
Our clients’ testimonials speak to our commitment and effectiveness in representing international disability cases. Don’t risk losing your SSDI benefits by attempting to handle international relocation without professional guidance. Discover how we can protect your financial future while you pursue your international living goals. Contact Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., today at (214) 999-9999 or by reaching out online.
