Do American Citizens Traveling Outside the U.S Qualify for Social Security Disability and Other Bene

Medical record review companies assisting attorneys frequently review medical records of disability benefit claimants. With medical-legal experts on the review team, a good company is a pillar of support to the legal professional and the law firm providing medical record organization, indexing and summary services. A social security disability attorney finds these services useful because they help in determining the legitimacy of a case.

Yes, Those Outside the Country Too Qualify

Speaking of social security benefits, social security disability insurance acts as a lifeline for many Americans who are unable to work on account of some debilitating disability and help them support their families. Apart from those who live in the United States, those living outside the country also receive some kind of social security benefit. This group that enjoys benefits includes retired and disabled workers and their spouses, as well as widows, widowers and children. U.S citizens can continue to receive payments outside America provided they are eligible for payment and are in a country where the SSA can send payments. An American citizen who has been outside the U.S for at least 30 days in a row is considered to be outside the country.

It’s Important to Keep the SSA Informed

American citizens traveling outside the country for a lengthy period of time have to inform Social Security of the date they plan to leave and the date they plan to come back. Only then can the administration let them know whether their supplemental security income (SSI) will be affected. The SSA website has helpful tools that will help people find out if their retirement, survivor’s or disability payments will continue as long as they are eligible; whether the payments will stop after six consecutive calendar months, or if any country-specific restrictions apply.

The SSA sends a questionnaire periodically to American citizens who live outside the U.S. This questionnaire is to be filled up and returned to the office that sent it. It is on the basis of the answers provided that Social Security can determine whether a person is still eligible for benefits. Payments will stop if the questionnaire is not returned. Another requirement is that beneficiaries must in a timely manner notify the SSA about changes that could affect their payments. Failure to report these details could lead to penalization by a fine or imprisonment. In addition, beneficiaries may also lose some of their payments. The details to report include:

• Address change
• If the person returns to work or his/her disability improves
• Marriage
• Divorce/annulment
• Work outside the U.S.
• Child leaves the care of a spouse/surviving spouse
• Adoption of a child
• Child nearing age 18 is a full-time student or disabled
• Death of the beneficiary
• Inability to manage funds
• Changes in parental circumstances
• Deportation or removal from the United States
• Eligibility for a pension from work not covered by Social Security.

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