It is not unusual for a Missourian who is getting Social Security disability benefits to leave the country. For many, their disability does not preclude them from traveling. In some instances, the person is not a citizen of the United States and leaves the country for a certain amount of time, but plans to return. All these matters can affect a person’s SSD benefits. Also important is a person’s citizenship status. This should be considered if the person is leaving the U.S.
A citizen of the U.S. who is getting SSD benefits can travel or reside in certain foreign countries without losing their benefits. However, there are countries where the SSD payments cannot be sent. They are: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Cambodia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. People who are venturing outside the U.S. and going to the countries that are on the above list must remember how it affects their SSD benefits. It is essential for the person to let the Social Security Administration know if there is a plan to leave the country for a minimum of 30 days. The SSA must also be told where the person is going and when he or she is coming back to the U.S. There are certain instructions that must be followed to get the benefits while out of the country.
If a person is not a citizen of the U.S. and he or she returns to reside in the U.S., evidence must be provided of the status as a non-citizen to keep getting SSD benefits. For people who work outside the U.S., there are different rules for getting benefits. For a non-citizen, it is important to let the SSA know if he or she becomes a U.S. citizen or the status changes in any way. A person must be in the U.S. legally to continue getting benefits, and any changes to status must come with evidence to keep receiving disability.
For people who are non-citizens or are planning to leave the U.S., it is imperative to tell the SSA and understand how it affects SSD benefits. This is not something to ignore. If there are issues with or confusion about how leaving the country and citizenship status affects Social Security disability benefits, a legal professional who is fully aware of the federal regulations can be of assistance.
