SSI is one of the benefits that support me as a retiree abroad. Without it, I would be in deep sh*t.
Unlike the individual in this video, I received my February benefit. It was not transferred into my account abroad until 03 Feb, however, which is the latest that has ever happened. I realize that 31 Jan was on Friday, so did not go into immediate panic mode.
But when I see that a poster above actually had his payment transferred on 01 Feb, I wonder whether my March payment will be on the block.
As other posters have mentioned above, I always complete and return the form posted above - immediately - when SS sends it. But I haven't yet received one in 2025.
I did, however, just renew my US passport (I had completed all requirements before 20 Jan, so that went smoothly) and the new US passport form requires a Social Security Number as well as all the usual information. So having done that may have saved me for the moment at least.
Another benefit that I receive abroad is my UN pension. Until 2021, we had to complete and return a printed Certificate of Enitlement annually in order to continue receiving our pension benefits. From 2021, all of us who are in areas where we can do so must have downloaded an app on our smartphones in order to post a digital photo to that app annually in order to continue receiving UNJSPF benefits. Those who cannot post digitally must at least continue to use the printed Certificate of Employment.
While I certainly understand the need to confirm that people living abroad and receiving SSI are still alive, withholding payments to anyone without notice is simply unacceptable.
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