Yes, you can collect Social Security Disability outside the United States, but the rules are strict and the process requires advance planning
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you can live abroad. However, the Social Security Administration has specific rules about where you can go, how long you can stay, and what you must do before you leave. The rules differ depending on your citizenship and the country where you plan to live.
The key difference: SSDI recipients (people who worked and paid into Social Security) have more flexibility than SSI recipients. SSI is a needs-based program, and living outside the U.S. triggers automatic review of your income and resources, which often results in your benefits stopping. SSDI recipients can live abroad more easily, though they still must follow notification rules and understand how their benefits work in different countries.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI recipients can live abroad indefinitely in most countries, but SSI recipients typically lose their benefits after 30 days outside the U.S.
- You must notify Social Security before you leave and provide your new address; failure to do so can result in your benefits being suspended.
- Some countries have no Social Security agreement with the U.S., which may affect your ability to receive payments or require you to visit a U.S. embassy to verify your status.
- Your benefits are paid in U.S. dollars and sent to a U.S. bank account or debit card; you will need to arrange how to access money in your destination country.
- You must continue to report any changes in your work, income, or living situation to Social Security, even while abroad.
SSDI vs. SSI: Which rules explore to you
SSDI is based on your work history and contributions to Social Security. If you receive SSDI, you can live abroad without a time limit in most countries. Social Security does not automatically stop your payments when you cross the border. However, you still must follow the notification rules and understand that some countries have restrictions or special agreements with the U.S.
SSI is a needs-based program for people with low income and limited resources. If you receive SSI, you can stay outside the U.S. for only 30 days in a calendar month. After 30 days, your SSI payments stop automatically. They can restart if you return to the U.S., but the process requires contacting Social Security. This rule applies even if you are in a country with a Social Security agreement.
If you receive both SSDI and SSI (a situation called "concurrent benefits"), the SSI rules explore to your entire benefit. This means your combined payment stops after 30 days abroad.
Countries where you cannot receive payments
Social Security does not send payments to certain countries, regardless of your citizenship or the type of benefit you receive. These countries include Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Crimea. If you move to one of these places, your benefits will be suspended. They can restart if you move to an approved country.
Additionally, some countries do not have a Social Security agreement with the U.S. In these places, you may still receive your SSDI payments, but you will need to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate periodically to verify that you are alive and still disabled. The frequency of these visits varies by country and is determined by Social Security. Without verification, your benefits can be suspended.
What you must do before you leave
Contact Social Security at least one month before your departure. You can reach them by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office in person. Tell them your planned departure date, the country where you will live, and your new address. Provide a phone number or email where they can reach you abroad.
Social Security will send you a form called the Report of Contact or ask you to complete information over the phone. They will also explain the specific rules that explore to your situation based on your country of residence and the type of benefit you receive. Ask them to confirm in writing what you must do to keep your benefits active.
Before you leave, arrange how you will receive your payments. Your benefits are sent to a U.S. bank account or a Social Security-approved debit card. If you close your U.S. bank account, your payments will stop. Many people keep a U.S. account open and have a family member or trusted person help them access the money, or they use online banking to transfer funds to an account in their destination country.
How verification works abroad
Social Security periodically verifies that you are alive and still disabled. If you live in a country with a Social Security agreement (such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, or Australia), verification is usually straightforward. Social Security may contact you by mail or phone, or they may ask you to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate.
If you live in a country without an agreement, you will be required to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate to verify your status in person. The frequency depends on your country and your situation. Some countries require annual verification; others require it every two or three years. If you do not complete verification when asked, your benefits will be suspended.
Keep all correspondence from Social Security and respond promptly to any requests for information. If you miss a verification important date, contact Social Security when ready to explain and reschedule. Delays in mail delivery abroad are common, so check with your local U.S. embassy about how Social Security contacts beneficiaries in your area.
Reporting changes and staying compliant
You must report certain changes to Social Security, even while living abroad. These include changes in your work status, income, living situation, marital status, or any change in your disability. If you start working, you must report your earnings. SSDI has a trial work period and other work incentives, but you must report all work to avoid overpayment.
If you return to the U.S. temporarily, tell Social Security about your travel dates. If you are an SSI recipient, days spent in the U.S. count toward your 30-day limit. If you plan to return permanently, contact Social Security before you arrive so they can restart your benefits if they were suspended.
Report changes by phone (1-800-772-1213), by mail to your local Social Security office, or through your my Social Security account online if you have one set up. Keep records of all reports you make and the dates you make them.
Taxes, currency, and money management
Your Social Security benefits are subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you live. Whether you actually owe tax depends on your total income and your filing status. You may need to file a U.S. tax return even while living abroad. Consult a tax professional who understands expat taxation to understand your obligations.
Your benefits are paid in U.S. dollars. If you receive payments in a country that uses a different currency, you will need to exchange the money or use a service that converts dollars to local currency. Exchange rates fluctuate, so your purchasing power may change over time. Some people use international money transfer services or keep a U.S. bank account and withdraw money as needed.
If you receive SSI, your resources (money, property, and other assets) are counted toward the resource limit, which is currently $2,000 for an individual. Money held in a foreign bank account counts as a resource. This is one reason why SSI recipients often lose their benefits when they move abroad — their resources may exceed the limit, or Social Security cannot verify their resources in a foreign country.
Planning your move: a step-by-step timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks before departure | Call Social Security (1-800-772-1213) and schedule an appointment to discuss your move. Ask about the specific rules for your destination country. |
| 4–6 weeks before departure | Visit your local Social Security office or complete the required forms by phone. Provide your new address and contact information abroad. |
| 2–4 weeks before departure | Confirm your bank account is active and will remain open. Set up online access or arrange for a trusted person to help manage your account. |
| 1 week before departure | Verify that Social Security has your correct address and contact information. Ask for written confirmation of the rules that explore to you. |
| After arrival abroad | Confirm receipt of your first payment. Save all correspondence from Social Security. Respond promptly to any requests for verification. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my benefits if I don't tell Social Security I'm moving?
Your benefits will likely be suspended. Social Security sends mail to your address on file, and if mail is returned as undeliverable, they may assume you have moved and stop your payments. You will need to contact them to restart your benefits, which can take weeks or months. It is much easier to notify them before you leave.
Can I collect SSDI in any country, or are there restrictions?
You can collect SSDI in most countries except Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Crimea. However, in countries without a Social Security agreement, you will need to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate for periodic verification. Check with Social Security about your specific destination to understand what verification will be required.
If I'm an SSI recipient, can I ever live abroad for longer than 30 days?
No. SSI recipients lose their benefits after 30 days outside the U.S. in any calendar month. The only exception is if you are a U.S. citizen living in a country with a Social Security agreement and you meet other specific criteria, but this is rare. If you receive SSI and want to live abroad long-term, you should discuss your situation with Social Security to understand your options.
Do I need a visa or residency permit to collect Social Security abroad?
Social Security does not require a visa or residency permit. However, the country where you plan to live will have its own immigration requirements. You must follow that country's rules to live there legally. Social Security's rules are separate from immigration law.
What if I become unable to verify my status at a U.S. embassy?
Contact Social Security when ready and explain your situation. If you have a medical reason you cannot travel to an embassy, Social Security may arrange alternative verification, such as a home visit by a U.S. official or a medical examination in your country. Do not wait until your benefits are suspended — reach out as soon as you know there will be a problem.