If you’re a Social Security (SSA) beneficiary living outside the United States, you may have had an unpleasant surprise this month when your Social Security payments were suspended. Don’t worry, you’re not alone; it’s happened to hundreds of Americans living abroad. The government agency has confirmed that this measure wasn’t due to residency abroad, but rather to the lack of a key document needed to receive this money: the Foreign Compliance Questionnaire (FEQ). Here, we’ll explain what you need to do to request your money so this doesn’t happen again and you can enjoy your benefits even if you’re not on US soil.
What is the Foreign Compliance Questionnaire (FEQ)?
The FEQ is how Social Security verifies that you’re still eligible to receive your payments if you live outside the U.S. It’s just a simple form that arrives in the mail every one or two years, and you must return it completed within the deadline (approximately 60 days). The problem? If you don’t send it in on time, your money is frozen until you clarify the situation…
What can I do if my payment was suspended?
It doesn’t matter if you’ve cashed your check without problems for years; if the SSA doesn’t receive this paperwork, it assumes something has changed and will cut off your payments until further notice. The good news is that if your benefits were suspended because of this, you can resolve it quickly by contacting the Federal Benefits Unit in your country and submitting the form as soon as possible.
Once you submit the necessary documentation, your payment could be reinstated within 7 business days. However, if you don’t need the money immediately, you can wait for a new form to be sent to you between June and July of this year.
Are there people exempt from submitting the FEQ?
Yes, not all beneficiaries abroad are required to submit the form. Those under 90 years of age and whose Social Security numbers end between 50 and 99 are exempt. Those with a registered address within the country are also exempt.
Can the interruption be avoided?
Of course, you should check your correspondence from the SSA frequently, as they usually notify you well in advance of when this notification arrives. And, of course, make sure your information is up to date! Don’t wait until the last minute to complete the form; we don’t want any more disappointments!