'Your Benefits Have Been Suspended' – Some Americans Abroad Suddenly Lose Access To Their Social Security Benefits

Thousands of Americans living abroad woke up to something they weren’t expecting this month – their Social Security benefits had been suspended. The reason? They didn't submit a required document called the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses this form, sent out annually or biannually, to verify that recipients outside the U.S. are still eligible for payments.

Who Is Affected?

The SSA has confirmed that suspensions impact those receiving Social Security benefits while living outside the U.S. Notices have already gone out to beneficiaries in Mexico, Barbados, Costa Rica, Haiti and other countries.

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Not every American living abroad has to worry, though. You do not need to submit the form if you are under 90 years old, currently receiving benefits, and your Social Security Number ends in 50-99. You will receive one between June and July 2025. Additionally, if your official address on record is in the United States, you can ignore this notice.

How to Reinstate Your Benefits

If your February payment didn't arrive, your benefits have likely been suspended. Payments for this month started going out on Jan. 31, with the last ones issued by Feb. 28. You need to take action immediately to get your payments reinstated.

Submit the required Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (SSA-7162 if receiving payments directly, SSA-7161 if you have a representative payee) or contact the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) for your country. Once your form is received and processed, your benefits should be reinstated within seven business days.

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This Suspension Is Not Related to DOGE or Elon Musk

While Social Security funding has been a hot topic in Washington, these recent suspensions are unrelated to the controversy surrounding Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk and DOGE have faced backlash after a judge temporarily blocked them from accessing the Treasury Department's payment system, which handles Social Security payments, tax refunds and federal salaries. This move came after concerns that DOGE had accessed sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers and bank account details. Treasury officials later clarified that DOGE had only "read-only" access, but Democrats have raised alarms about possible government overreach.

Despite the political storm in Washington, the current suspension of Social Security benefits for Americans abroad is entirely unrelated to DOGE, Musk or any policy changes under President Donald Trump. This is a routine SSA process to verify eligibility, and anyone who submits their required form will have their payments reinstated.

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What To Do Next

If you live abroad and rely on Social Security benefits, check whether you have received the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire. If not, contact your Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) immediately to avoid further delays.

The SSA has been sending out these forms for decades, but this unexpected hold on payments has been a frustrating wake-up call for many affected beneficiaries. Fortunately, the solution is straightforward – send in the form, follow up with the FBU and your benefits should resume within a week.

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