114. SSI Claimants Residing Abroad

114.1 Where is your case handled if you live overseas?

If you live overseas, your SSI payments are handled by one of the following:

1. If you are a blind or disabled child of military parents stationed overseas, your case is handled by the Social Security office in Cumberland, Maryland;

2. If you are a temporarily abroad student, your case is handled by any Social Security office; or

3. If you are any other claimant living abroad, your case is handled in the Office of International Operations of the Office of Disability and International Operations (ODIO).

114.2 What is the Office of Disability and International Operations?

ODIO receives, develops, and settles Social Security claims of persons residing outside the U.S. This office also acts on requests for reconsideration. ODIO receives assistance from the State Department's Foreign Service posts around the world, the American Institute in Taipei (Taiwan), and the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in the Philippines to carry out this mission.

114.3 When are you considered "outside the U.S." for claims settlement purposes?

For claims settlement purposes, you are considered outside the U.S. if you are physically outside the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

114.4 Where do you report events that could affect your benefits if you live abroad?

If you are a beneficiary living in a foreign country, report the events described in §133 to one of the following:

1. The nearest Social Security office;

2. One of the offices listed above; or

3. The Social Security Administration, Post Office Box 17769, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769.

114.5 Where do disabled children of military parents stationed overseas report events that could affect their benefits?

Blind or disabled children of military parents stationed overseas should report the events in §133 to one of the following:

1. The U.S. Embassy;

2. The nearest U.S. Consular Office; or

3. Social Security Administration, ATTN: SSI Military Children Overseas Coordinator, 1 Frederick Street, Suite 100, Cumberland, MD 21502.

114.6 Where do you send correspondence concerning totalization claims?

The Office of International Operations is responsible for all claims under the international totalization agreements described in §107. This is true even if you live in the U.S. Send any correspondence concerning totalization claims to the Social Security Administration, Post Office Box 17049, Baltimore, Maryland 21235.

Last Revised: Feb. 2, 2007