Suspended Social Security Payments: What Americans Living Abroad Should Know?

Suspended Social Security Payments

U.S. embassies in several countries have sent out important notices to Americans living abroad regarding the suspension of their Social Security benefits. These notices were issued after it was discovered that some individuals had not submitted the required Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire, a form needed each year to confirm eligibility for payments abroad.

For example, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica published a notice that stated, “If you did not receive your February benefit payment, your benefits have been suspended.” Similar notices have also been sent to those living in countries like Haiti and Mexico. The suspension of payments could be particularly troublesome for many of the affected Americans, as Social Security benefits are a critical income source for many expatriates.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has reported that over 700,000 Social Security beneficiaries live abroad. As of December 2023, approximately 59,000 beneficiaries live in Mexico, and 2,000 in Costa Rica, all of whom could be at risk of financial hardship if the issue is not addressed promptly.

The suspension of Social Security benefits is a result of the failure to submit the required Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire. This form is needed to ensure that recipients are still eligible for Social Security payments while living abroad. The SSA has made it clear that this suspension is not a new issue; it has occurred in previous years and remains an ongoing challenge.

Americans affected by the suspension are those who live outside the U.S. and have not submitted the necessary form. Individuals receiving payments in their own name must submit form SSA-7162, while those with a representative payee or those who are a representative payee themselves must submit form SSA-7161.

One embassy website explains that “If you don’t return this form by January 2025, you will not receive a benefit payment beginning February 2025.” It’s important to note that not all Americans abroad are impacted. For instance, individuals under 90 years old who receive their own benefits and whose Social Security Number (SSN) ends in 50 to 99 are not required to submit the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire immediately.

These individuals will receive a form to complete between June and July 2025. Additionally, those who temporarily live abroad but have an official U.S. address on record are not required to respond to this notice.

If you did not receive your Social Security payment for February 2025, this could mean that your benefits have been suspended. Social Security payments for February 2025 began being issued on January 31, 2025, and will continue until February 28, 2025. Affected individuals can confirm their payment status by contacting the appropriate Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) for their country.

Once the necessary documentation is submitted to the appropriate FBU, beneficiaries can expect their benefits to be reinstated within approximately seven business days. This process ensures that Social Security payments will resume for those who have fulfilled the requirements.

As the SSA stated in a May 2023 publication, “We send questionnaires to persons receiving Social Security benefits (or their representative payees) outside the United States every year or every two years. Your answers will help us determine if you are still eligible for benefits.” If a recipient does not receive their questionnaire, they should contact the SSA or their FBU for assistance. Notably, Costa Rican beneficiaries are sent questionnaires every two years.

Americans living abroad who have had their Social Security benefits suspended due to the lack of a completed Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire must submit the necessary documentation to the appropriate Federal Benefits Unit. Once this is done, benefits should be restored within a week. It is essential for those affected to take action quickly to avoid financial difficulties.


Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.

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