The Social Security Administration (SSA) has temporarily stopped payments for some U.S. citizens living abroad due to missing paperwork. This issue arises when beneficiaries fail to submit a required document called the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (FEQ), which verifies their eligibility for continued benefits while residing outside the United States.
This suspension affects many retired and disabled Americans who depend on Social Security payments to cover their daily expenses. If you or someone you know is affected, here’s what you need to know about the situation and how to get payments reinstated.
Why Are Social Security Payments Being Suspended?
Every year, the SSA requires certain beneficiaries living outside the U.S. to fill out the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire. This form ensures that the recipient is still eligible for benefits and has not had any changes in status that could affect payments.
Failure to return this form on time can lead to suspended payments. The SSA has issued notices about the suspension, and U.S. Embassies in several countries have sent warnings to those affected.
Who Is Affected?
The suspension mainly impacts Americans who:
- Receive Social Security benefits while living outside the U.S.
- Did not submit the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire by the required deadline.
As of December 2023, over 700,000 Americans were receiving Social Security payments while living abroad. The largest groups of beneficiaries outside the U.S. include:
- Mexico – Around 59,000 recipients
- Costa Rica – Around 2,000 recipients
U.S. Embassies in countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Haiti have confirmed that those who failed to submit the form did not receive their February 2024 payments.
Who Is Not Affected?
Not all Social Security recipients abroad are impacted immediately. You do not need to submit the form now if:
- You are under 90 years old
- Your Social Security Number ends in 50-99
- You have a U.S. address on record
For these individuals, the SSA will send out the form between June and July 2025. If you fall into this category, your benefits should continue without disruption.
What to Do If Your Social Security Payment Was Suspended
If you did not receive your February Social Security payment, your benefits have likely been suspended. However, there is a way to fix this issue.
Steps to Reinstate Your Social Security Payments:
- Contact the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in your country – They handle Social Security matters for U.S. citizens abroad.
- Submit the required Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (FEQ) – This is the key form needed to confirm your eligibility.
- Confirm compliance – Make sure all necessary documents are submitted correctly.
How to Contact the Federal Benefits Unit
For Costa Rica, call +506-2519-2228 (Monday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) or email [email protected].
For Mexico, contact one of the following:
Once your documents are received, the SSA should reinstate benefits within seven business days.
Why Does the SSA Require This Form?
The SSA periodically checks the status of beneficiaries living outside the U.S. to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure that only eligible individuals continue receiving payments. The Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire is part of this process.
If you are supposed to receive the form but didn’t, it’s important to contact the SSA or your Federal Benefits Unit to request it. Failing to complete and return it on time can result in future suspensions.
How to Prevent Future Payment Suspensions
To avoid disruptions in your Social Security payments, follow these steps:
- Check your mail regularly – The SSA mails the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire annually or every two years, depending on the recipient’s country.
- Respond on time – If you receive the form, fill it out and return it before the deadline.
- Update your contact information – Ensure the SSA has your current mailing address and email.
- Save official SSA notices – Keep track of all documents you receive from the SSA to avoid missing important deadlines.
Final Thoughts
Social Security benefits are a crucial source of income for many retired Americans abroad. If your payments have been suspended, act quickly by submitting the required form to the Federal Benefits Unit. Once processed, your payments should resume within a week.
For those not yet affected, stay informed and ensure you submit the required documents on time to prevent any future issues with your benefits.
Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping our content honest and reliable for our readers.
