Social Security payments suspended for Americans abroad
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has suspended payments to some Americans living abroad. This is because they did not submit a required form called the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire. The form is needed each year to confirm eligibility for payments outside the U.S.
The suspensions impact Americans who receive Social Security benefits and have an address in another country.
According to the SSA, over 700,000 beneficiaries live in foreign countries as of December 2023. Around 59,000 live in Mexico and 2,000 in Costa Rica. U.S. Embassies in several countries have sent out notices about the suspended payments.
The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica stated, “If you did not receive your February benefit payment, your benefits have been suspended.” Similar messages went out to those in Mexico, Haiti, and other nations. Not all Americans abroad are affected right away. Those under 90 who receive their own benefits and have a Social Security Number ending in 50 to 99 do not need to submit the form now.
They will get a form to complete between June and July 2025.
Social Security suspensions abroad
Those with a U.S. address on record are also not required to respond.
If your Social Security payment for February did not arrive, your benefits were likely suspended. Payments started going out on January 31, with the last ones issued by February 28. To get benefits reinstated, you must contact the Federal Benefits Unit for your country.
For Costa Rica, call 506-2519-2228 Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., or email FBU.CostaRica@ssa.gov. In Mexico, email FBU.Mexico.City@ssa.gov, FBU.Guadalajara@ssa.gov, or FBU.Ciudad.Juarez@ssa.gov. Submit the appropriate Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire or confirm your compliance.
Once the unit receives the necessary documents, benefits should be reinstated within about seven business days. The SSA sends these questionnaires to beneficiaries outside the U.S. every year or two. The answers help determine ongoing eligibility for benefits.
If you do not receive the form when expected, contact the SSA or your Federal Benefits Unit.
