SSDI or social security disability insurance provides monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work. Many people benefit from this so when the question was raised about if the benefits apply after moving out of te country it was important to provide all the information about SSDI and if the benefits would still continue after leaving the country.
What Does SSDI Do?
SSDI is a payroll tax-funded federal insurance program from the United States government. Individuals who can get SSDI either have a disability or blindness, and they have enough work history. The disability restricts their ability to be employed. The benefits that SSDI includes are monthly payments and Medicare. The payment amount is based on the individual’s work history before the disability began. SSDI is there to help people who may not be able to provide for themselves.
What Happens When Moving Out Of The Country
In a certain region, you are unable to receive SSDI payments. However, in a lot of regions you are, you just have to take the steps to let the Social Security Administration know. You must notify the SSA if you plan to go outside the United States for a trip that lasts 30 days or more. You will have to prepare information for the SSA, which includes the name of the country or countries you plan to visit, and the dates you expect to leave and return to the United States. The SSA will explain how you are able to arrange your benefits while you are away. You need to confirm ongoing disability, which may be challenging overseas. You also must notify the SSA when you return to the United States. However, SSI is different and benefits generally cease if a recipient is outside the U.S. for 30 consecutive days or more, with very limited exceptions.
Read More: What Happens If You Move to Another State While on SSDI?
List Of Counties
Here is a list of countries where your social security benefits will still come for as long as you stay outside the country:
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Uruguay.
There are certain countries where social security benefits are not allowed to be sent to. These include Cuba and North Korea. Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan are countries where payments may be withheld or there have to be special arrangements to access them. As long as you are eligible for social security benefits, you will be able to receive them if you move to any of the above countries.
U.S. Citizens Vs. Non-U.S. Citizens
When it comes to the payment of SSDI benefits while being in another country, U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens are treated differently. They both are able to keep receiving benefits, but there are fewer restrictions and disqualifiers for U.S. citizens. As a non-U.S. citizen, whether you’re able to receive social security payments while outside the U.S. depends on how long you are gone, your country of citizenship, and whether you reside in a country where payments are made.
For instance, SSDI payments for non-U.S. citizens may stop once the person has been outside the U.S. for six months. Absence doesn’t start getting counted until the person has been away from the U.S. for 30 days. Once a person is gone for 30 days or more, they may continue their benefits by returning for a full calendar month in six months. However, there may be exceptions for citizens or residents of certain countries. One of the most crucial notes is to be in a country where payments are eligible to be made.
Are You Moving Out Of The Country and Have Questions About SSDI?
If you use SSDI benefits, don’t worry if you are going out of the country. There are a lot of resolutions if you want to continue your benefits. Tabak Law will be able to help accommodate you and help with your SSDI benefits before you leave.