If you’re a Social Security (SSA) beneficiary living outside the United States, you might have received an unpleasant surprise this month when your payments were suspended. Don’t worry, you’re not alone; this has happened to hundreds of Americans living abroad.
The government agency confirmed that this measure was not due to residency abroad, but rather to a lack of a critical document required to receive this money: the Foreign Compliance Questionnaire (FEQ). Here, we’ll explain how to request your money so that this doesn’t happen again and you can continue to receive benefits even if you’re not in the United States.
What is the Foreign Compliance Questionnaire (FEQ)?
The FEQ is how Social Security determines whether you are still eligible to receive payments if you live outside the United States. It’s a simple form that comes in the mail every one or two years, and you must return it completed within the deadline (about 60 days). What’s the problem? If you don’t submit it on time, your money will be frozen until you clarify the situation…
What can I do if my payment was suspended?
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been cashing your checks without issue for years; if the SSA doesn’t receive this paperwork, it assumes something has changed and will suspend your payments until further notice.
The good news is that if your benefits were suspended as a result of this, you can quickly resolve the situation by contacting the Federal Benefits Unit in your country and submitting the form as soon as possible.
Once you submit the required documentation, your payment may be reinstated within 7 business days. If you don’t need the money right away, you can wait until June or July of this year to receive a new form.
Are there people exempt from submitting the FEQ?
Yes, not all beneficiaries abroad are required to complete the form. Those under the age of 90 with Social Security numbers ranging from 50 to 99 are exempt. Individuals with a registered address in the country are also exempt.
Can the interruption be avoided?
Of course, you should check your SSA correspondence frequently, as they usually notify you well in advance when this notification will arrive. Also, make sure your information is up to date! Don’t wait until the last minute to fill out the form; we don’t want any more disappointments!
