Living abroad can offer many exciting opportunities, but for thousands of Americans, it comes with the risk of losing access to their Social Security benefits. Recently, U.S. Embassies in countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, and Haiti have issued urgent notices to American citizens living overseas, warning them about the suspension of their Social Security payments. This development has raised concerns among the more than 700,000 beneficiaries who rely on these payments while residing outside the United States.
Why Have Social Security Payments Been Suspended?
The recent suspensions are tied to a crucial requirement that many beneficiaries may have overlooked—the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire. This form is necessary for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm the eligibility of recipients living abroad. Without it, the SSA cannot verify whether a beneficiary is still alive and meets the criteria to continue receiving payments.
- Form SSA-7162: Required for individuals receiving payments in their own name.
- Form SSA-7161: Required for those with a representative payee or acting as one.
Failure to submit these forms by the January 2025 deadline has led to suspended payments starting February 2025. This issue isn’t new; similar suspensions have occurred in the past due to missed submissions, highlighting an ongoing challenge for the SSA and beneficiaries alike.
Notably, not all Americans living abroad are affected. Individuals under 90 whose Social Security Number (SSN) ends between 50 and 99 won’t need to submit the form until June-July 2025. Additionally, Americans temporarily living abroad but with a U.S. address on record are exempt from this requirement.
What Should You Do If Your Benefits Are Suspended?
If you noticed your February 2025 payment missing, it’s likely due to this suspension. Payments were scheduled to be disbursed between January 31 and February 28, 2025, and if yours hasn’t arrived, immediate action is necessary.
Steps to Reinstate Your Benefits:
1.Contact the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) for your country.
| Costa Rica: | Call 506-2519-2228 (Mon-Thu, 9 AM – 12 PM) or email FBU.CostaRica@ssa.gov |
| Haiti: | Call 809-368-7011 (Mon-Thu, 9 AM – 12 PM) or email FBU.Santo.Domingo@ssa.gov |
| Mexico: | Email FBU.Mexico.CITY@SSA.GOV, FBU.Guadalajara@ssa.gov, or FBU.Ciudad.Juarez@ssa.gov |
2.Submit the Required Form: Complete and send the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (SSA-7161 or SSA-7162).
3.Wait for Reinstatement: After submitting the necessary documents, payments are typically reinstated within seven business days.
Key Reminder: If you didn’t receive your questionnaire, it’s your responsibility to contact the SSA or your FBU promptly. Keeping your contact information updated with the SSA can prevent such disruptions in the future.
For many Americans abroad, Social Security is more than just a benefit—it’s a lifeline. Staying on top of these requirements is essential to ensure continuous support, no matter where you live.
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