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Do I need to report my stay in Thailand if I'm on a marriage visa for 6 months?

May 8, 2025
14 days ago
Michael ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do I need to report my stay in Thailand to SSI. Looking to stay for at least 6 months on a marriage visa.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The query discusses whether it is necessary to report an extended stay in Thailand (at least 6 months) to SSI while on a marriage visa. Comments indicate that recipients of SSI benefits are not eligible if they remain outside the U.S. for more than 30 days. In contrast, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may allow benefits to be collected abroad. There are specific reporting requirements in Thailand, such as completing a TM30 form upon arrival and subsequent reports every 90 days.
Ben ************
Why? Just withdraw ATM.
TJ ********
SSA (Social Security Administration):

Overview:

The SSA is the federal agency that administers various social security programs, including retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

Payments Abroad:

If you earned Social Security benefits, you can typically visit or live in most foreign countries and continue receiving payments. The SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool can help determine if you can receive payments in your specific location.

Application:

If you live outside the U.S., you can still apply for Social Security benefits online.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income):

Purpose:

SSI is a needs-based program that provides cash assistance to individuals with disabilities or low income, regardless of their work history.

Eligibility:

SSI eligibility is determined by income and resource limits, and you must meet specific criteria related to disability or age.

Living Abroad:

If you are receiving SSI and live outside the U.S. for more than 30 consecutive days, your benefits will stop, and they will restart once you return and remain in the U.S. for more than 30 days.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance):

Purpose:

SSDI is an earnings-based program that provides benefits to workers who have paid Social Security taxes and are unable to work due to a disability.

Eligibility:

SSDI eligibility is based on your work history and whether you have a disability that prevents you from working.

Living Abroad:

SSDI benefits can generally be received outside the U.S., as long as you are a U.S. citizen or have certain other immigration statuses, and you meet the other requirements.
Greg *********
Not sure about SSI, but for Social Security retirement, if you stay out of the country longer then 3 months, you’re required to fill out an SSA-21 form which requires the address you’re physically residing at. How do I know? I just got an email on it. Here it is:
Todd **********
No
Per ***********
SSI?
Aryn ********
You have 30 days on SSI no more. You have to be back in this country. SSDI you can receive out of country.
T ****************
@Aryn *******
Nope, incorrect
Fra *****
What is SSI
Todd **********
@Fra ****
Yes you can just have a Thai bank acct and request your payment to be deposited in that acc
Michael ********
@Fra ****
one is disability, Ssdi, and that ends or converts to social security, Ssi, when you reach full retirement age of 67.. don’t know about collecting outside of the country but will find out soon enough
Brandon ******
@Fra ****
Disability money that people who didn’t work a full 10 years get. After you have your 10 years or 40 credits it’s called SSDI. So basically the lay abouts can’t enjoy the free handouts overseas.
Tony **********
@Fra ****
supplemental income
Brandon ******
Need to be on SSDI to get the full freedom, SSI not so much.
Braulio *********
You are not eligible for SSI if you are outside of the US for more than 30 days. The benefits resume after your have returned to the US for 30 days.

To continue to collect SSI while abroad is fraud and subject to prosecution.

However, retirement, disability or survivor benefits may continue if you live abroad.
T ****************
@Braulio ********
You are incorrect. Do a little research before posting falsehoods…. Soc Sec IS “retirement”, you have no idea what you’re talking about !
Jetaun ********
If you’re on SSI, not SSA your SSI should be cut off. If you’re not going to be in USA for over 30 days then you’re not entitled to SSI. So, please be sure about your entitlement
กะลาสี *****
กะลาสี *****
This is what my AI search says:
Michael ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will probably call. I will keep a billing address and a bank account here but I will call
Michael ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@กะลาสี ****
yeah, that's what I come up with.
กะลาสี *****
@Michael **********
you may have to wait on hold for a while but getting a definitive answer will make it worth the wait, IMO. I wish you the best with it.
David *****
@กะลาสี ****
I find this extremely hard to believe. In one place it says 30 days in a month. Plus if you’re gone for 30 days, your benefits are cut off. There are seniors that travel abroad for more time than that all the time. I’d bet 0.0% of them notify social security if that and social security doesn’t know..
กะลาสี *****
@David ****
I never said it was the gospel truth. I just said it's what AI returned for my inquiry. If it were me, I would be calling the SSA directly and ask them, not relying on a FB group for something I would imagine is very important to anyone moving to TL but to each his own.
Bill ******
@กะลาสี ****
when I stayed in the Philippines SSI stopped my payments after 6 months. I went to the embassy and changed my residence to the Philippines and received my pay immediately, including what they withheld
กะลาสี *****
@Bill *****
hope Michael Sanderson (the guy who's post originally inquired about SSI & moving to TL) reads about your experience in the Phils. That being said, with DOGE causing a great shake-up in the SSA & other US govt agencies, if I were the person who is receiving SSI & planning on moving to TL, I'd call the SSA directly, to get the latest & most correct information but that's just me. I tend to be a little OCD where my monthly pension deposits are concerned.
Dave ********
My SS benefits go to a Thai bank and my address is in Thailand and yes, they have a form you are supposed to fill out annually to essentially tell them you are still alive. People who ignored or didn't know about this have in some cases been denied benefits until they cleared it up.
Brunt *******
******************************
Glenn *****
@Brunt ******
nothing to do with tm30
Phil ******
@Michael **********
do a TM30 on arrival
Frank **********
@Phil *****
huh? The OP is talking about Social Security. 5555
Phil ******
@Frank *********
yes talking about reporting his stay. My message was exactly that . He needs to report his stay within 24 hours of entering Thailand
Andrew ********
No, you do not have to tell them you are staying in another country receiving SSI benifits
Rene ******************
@Andrew *******
I am traveling this path right now with my son moving to Thailand. The SSI office in the United States will not let you draw SSI in another country, but they will let you draw your SSDI. Just went there yesterday to pay back the SSI they overpaid him.
Curtis ********
@Andrew *******
SSI has different rules than SSDI makes a big difference
Braulio *********
@Andrew *******
Your advice is 100% inaccurate
Jason **********
Yes. If you are doing it yourself then - Tm30 on arrival and then report every 90days.
Frank **********
@Jason *********
lol. I think he means Social Security disability.
Jason **********
@Frank *********
oh, thought he was talking about Diving.(scuba schools international) lol.
Frank **********
@Jason *********
that's okay. There are various three letter words I do not understand either.
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