Why Some Social Security Payments Were Suspended for Americans Living Abroad?

Race Day Live  Recently, U.S. embassies in certain countries, such as Costa Rica, Haiti, and Mexico, sent important notifications to Americans living abroad about suspended Social Security payments.

This issue has affected thousands of U.S. citizens who rely on these benefits while living overseas.

Suspension of Social Security Benefits for Americans Abroad

The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica made an announcement informing Americans there that if they did not receive their February Social Security payment, their benefits had been suspended.

Similar messages have also been sent to people living in Haiti and Mexico. The suspensions specifically target Americans who are receiving Social Security benefits while having a foreign address.

This situation is particularly concerning as many Americans living outside the U.S. rely on Social Security payments as a primary source of income.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that over 700,000 Social Security beneficiaries live abroad, and this suspension could cause financial hardship for many.

Why the Suspension Happened?

The main reason for these suspensions is that the necessary paperwork—specifically, the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire—was not submitted to the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in the affected countries. This form is essential to confirm eligibility for receiving benefits while living abroad.

The suspension of benefits due to missing paperwork is not a new issue. It has occurred in previous years, highlighting a recurring challenge for Americans living overseas who need to keep their records up to date.

The SSA sends out the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire each year to those receiving benefits abroad to ensure they are still eligible to receive payments.

Who Is Affected by the Suspension?

If you are an American living abroad and your official address is outside the United States, you may be affected by this suspension.

Specifically, Americans who did not submit the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire required to confirm eligibility for Social Security benefits may see their payments suspended.

There are different forms for different situations:

• If you receive Social Security benefits in your name, you must submit form SSA-7162.
• If you have a representative payee (someone who manages your Social Security benefits), or if you are a representative payee yourself, you need to submit form SSA-7161.

According to the embassy notice, if these forms are not submitted by January 2025, individuals will not receive their Social Security payments beginning in February 2025.

Who Is Not Affected by the Suspension?

It’s important to note that not all Americans living abroad are immediately affected by this suspension. If you are under 90 years old, receive your benefits, and your Social Security number ends in 50 to 99, you don’t need to submit the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire right now. You will receive a form to fill out between June and July 2025.

Additionally, Americans who temporarily live abroad but have a U.S. address on record are not required to submit this paperwork.

How to Know If Your Payments Were Suspended?

The easiest way to find out if your payments have been suspended is to check if you received your Social Security payment for February 2025. If you did not, there is a high chance 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. If you did not receive your payment during this period, you may need to take action.

Read More:

• Immigrants in the U.S.: Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits!
• 3 Secrets of Social Security Benefits That Could Change Your Future!

What to Do If Your Social Security Payments Were Suspended?

If your payments have been suspended, you can take steps to reinstate your benefits. The first step is to contact the Federal Benefits Unit in the country where you live. Here’s how to reach them:

• Costa Rica: Call 506-2519-2228 (Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) or email [email protected].
• Haiti: Call 809-368-7011 (Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) or email [email protected].
• Mexico: Email one of the three Federal Benefits Units: [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].

You will need to submit the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire or confirm that you have already submitted it. After your documents are processed, your benefits will likely be reinstated within approximately seven business days.

What Does the Social Security Administration Say?

The SSA has stated that the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire is essential to determine whether you are still eligible to receive Social Security payments.

The SSA sends these questionnaires to people receiving benefits outside the U.S. every year or every two years, depending on the country. For example, Americans living in Costa Rica receive their questionnaires every two years.

If you have not received your questionnaire, the SSA encourages you to contact them or the Federal Benefits Unit to ensure you submit the necessary forms on time.

What to Expect Going Forward?

Once the required documentation is submitted, Social Security payments are expected to be reinstated within about seven business days.

Beneficiaries who have experienced payment suspensions should act quickly to resolve the issue and avoid any long-term disruption in their financial support.

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