Whether you're dreaming of a vacation, visiting family overseas, or considering retiring abroad, your disability benefits will be affected differently depending on which program you receive and how long you're gone.
In this article, we'll cover:
- How SSDI handles international travel and living abroad
- Why SSI stops completely when you leave the country
- Rules about how long you can be outside the United States
- Countries where SSDI payments cannot be sent
- Planning tips for traveling while on disability
SSDI: More Freedom to Travel and Live Abroad
Social Security Disability Insurance is generally portable. If you're a U.S. citizen, you can travel abroad or even live in most foreign countries while continuing to receive your SSDI benefits. Your payments can be deposited directly into your U.S. bank account while you're overseas.
However, there are important limitations. SSDI payments cannot be sent to certain countries including Cuba, North Korea, and several others due to U.S. sanctions or lack of agreements. If you move to one of these restricted countries, your benefits will stop.
Additionally, if you're not a U.S. citizen, different rules apply based on your country of citizenship and residence. Check with Social Security about your specific situation before making plans.
SSI: You Cannot Leave the Country
Supplemental Security Income has strict rules about leaving the United States. If you're outside the country for 30 consecutive days or more, your SSI benefits stop completely. Once stopped, they don't automatically restart when you return.
Even short trips can cause problems. If you leave and return but haven't been back for at least 30 consecutive days before leaving again, the days add up. Once you've been outside the U.S. for a full calendar month, benefits stop.
To restart SSI after foreign travel, you must be back in the United States for at least 30 consecutive days and may need to file a new application. This can create significant gaps in income and potentially affect Medicaid coverage tied to your SSI.
What Counts as Being Outside the Country?
For SSI purposes, "outside the United States" means anywhere that isn't the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa are considered outside the U.S. for SSI purposes—a fact that surprises many people.
For SSDI, the rules are somewhat different and generally more lenient. The key is whether you're in a country where payments can be sent and whether you maintain ties to the United States.
Reporting Requirements
If you receive SSDI and plan extended travel, notify Social Security of your plans and provide a foreign address if applicable. Make sure your direct deposit is set up to a U.S. bank account that you can access from abroad.
For SSI recipients, any travel outside the country should be carefully planned to ensure you return before the 30-day limit. Keep documentation of your travel dates in case questions arise later.
Planning Tips for Disability Recipients
Before any international travel, contact Social Security to understand exactly how your specific benefits will be affected. Rules can be complex and depend on citizenship status, destination country, and length of stay.
Consider setting up online access to your Social Security account so you can monitor your benefits while traveling. Ensure your bank account is accessible internationally and notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid fraud holds.
For SSI recipients who want to travel, plan shorter trips that keep you under the 30-day threshold. Building in buffer time protects against unexpected delays that could push you over the limit.
Wherever life takes you, your banking should be simple. Purple offers checking accounts designed for disability recipients with easy access and no hidden fees.