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Is the news about Social Security benefits being affected by residency status in Thailand fake news?
Social Security BenefitsSupplemental Security Income (SSI)Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)Residency RequirementsFake NewsExpat Life in Thailand
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around concerns regarding the accuracy of news related to Social Security benefits and residency requirements for expatriates living in Thailand. Several commenters clarify that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has strict residency conditions that can affect benefits if the recipient is outside the U.S. for extended periods. Many participants express doubt about the authenticity of the news, calling it 'fake' and 'scaremongering,' while others suggest verifying information with official resources like the Social Security Administration's website.
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Brian **********
scaremongering
James ******
Yes, fake news
Steve ****
Check the SS website. They have always required you keep your address up to date but I’ve never seen any indication they’re going to enforce it and even if they did it would be difficult and expensive
David **********
How would Social Security know I am not in the US? My money goes to a US bank.
Steven ***************
@David *********
. A little thing called a microchip in your passport... they , like most countries, know the moment you leave and the moment you return. All linked to govt servicesDavid **********
@Steven **************
Social Security tracks benefits recipients using a microchip in a State Department issued passport?Really?
Exactly how does the microchip report that someone is leaving the US?
Tony **********
@David *********
it is scanned upon exit of USA and entry into any other country... This send obvious so you may be asking a different question and I'm missing it...David **********
@Tony *********
please explain how my passport is scanned when I exit the USA.Ever walk from San Isidro, California to Tijuana, Mexico?
Steven ***************
@David *********
. USA and Mexico have a long standing agreement regarding what you just mentioned. If you exit USA to enter any other country your passport will be scanned by USA border control and the country you enter.David **********
@Steven **************
Tell me more about US border security scanning passports of people leaving the US. Where exactly are the passports scanned?Steven ***************
@David *********
. Now you are just trolling.. At passport control you clown.. If you use an automatic gate it scans it too. And what part of US agreement with Mexico confuses you? What part of every.other country confuses you?David **********
@Steven **************
there is no exit passport control in the US.Tony **********
@David *********
was talking about flying to another country. You're only showed 30 days recent in Mexico. When you apply for a visa for longer stay, state department gets notified.This discussion is about government payment when raising our if country, not a walk to Tijuana.
David **********
@Tony *********
so the 10s of 1000s of US citizens living in Tijuana do so without the knowledge of US Social Security.Steven ***************
@David *********
. Also a passport is a federal document and belongs to your government, not you. Gives you permission to leave if they have no reason to not let you and permission to re enter.David **********
@Steven **************
so, I can't throw away an expired passport because it's not my property?Steven ***************
@David *********
. Think about it... an expired passport is worthless. They will deactivate your old passport when you recieve a new one be it renewed or replaced. If you recieve a new one whilst overseas at a US embassy, they also do this prior to giving you new one. Will have new passport number rendering old passport void. All history will be transferred to new passport via the microchip.David **********
@Steven **************
but that has nothing to do with Social Security tracking my movements via a microchip in my passport.Steven ***************
@David *********
. Yes. Australia has same system . The equivalent dept knows when you leave and will limit or remove any supplemental social security payments you recieve such as rent assistance utility bill assistance, etc. Unemployment benefits are stopped after a certain time too . They don't track you... but you will be flagged in your file that you have left the country and will be flagged again when returning. The whole purpose of the microchip is to know what country you are in.. First thing passport control in any country does is scan the chip in your passport to check your history and visa status. That's its purpose. Also massively reduced passport forgery. Days of fresh passport to hide travel history are over. Welcome to the 21st century.Reply to
Steven ***************
Reply
Ivan ************
As Carl says this is Supplemental Security Income. You need to be resident in the US to get this, and you can't leave for longer than a month.
"is not absent from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands for a full calendar month or for 30 consecutive days or more;"
"is not absent from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands for a full calendar month or for 30 consecutive days or more;"
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Henrik *****
Ask in a US group, not a Thailand group, if you want reliable information
Tim **********
Normal social security does not have this restriction
Only SSI (disability)
Only SSI (disability)
David ***********
@Tim *********
FYI, SSDI is Social Security Disability and distinct from SSI.Tim **********
@David **********
Seems we are both rightSupplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability. Children with disabilities or who are blind may also get SSI.
Social Security Disability. Insurance (SSDI) Social Security pays benefits to people who can't work because they have a medical condition that's expected to last at least one year or result in death. Certain members of your family may be eligible for benefits based on your work history.
David ***********
@Tim *********
I wasn’t implying you were wrong. Just adding information.😁Tim **********
Reply to
Tim **********
Reply
Carl **********
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability. Children with disabilities or who are blind may also get SSI.
HOW IS SSI DIFFERENT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?
Many people who are eligible for SSI may also be entitled to Social Security benefits. In fact, the application for SSI is also an application for Social Security benefits. However, SSI and Social Security are different in many ways.
small blue ballSocial Security benefits may be paid to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured”, meaning you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work.
small blue ballSSI is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury--personal income taxes, corporate taxes, and other taxes. Social Security taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) or the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) do not fund the SSI program.
HOW IS SSI DIFFERENT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?
Many people who are eligible for SSI may also be entitled to Social Security benefits. In fact, the application for SSI is also an application for Social Security benefits. However, SSI and Social Security are different in many ways.
small blue ballSocial Security benefits may be paid to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured”, meaning you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work.
small blue ballSSI is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury--personal income taxes, corporate taxes, and other taxes. Social Security taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) or the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) do not fund the SSI program.
Kerry *********
@Carl *********
SSDI is the disability program that is financed by social security and eligibility is a function of your work history. SSI is a disability program that is a companion to Medicaid and to qualify you need to be essentially flat broke and be a resident of the United States. If you're poor enough to qualify for that you probably wouldn't be able to afford a plane ticket to Thailand anyway.Tom ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Carl *********
thanks I always get the two mixed up.Carl **********
Yeah, they could certainly pick some better names to make it less confusing.
Reply to
Carl **********
Reply
Becky **********
They used the word hitched instead of getting married It’s definitely a scam
Michelle *********
Can I suggest you look on the SS website for any changes? This publication may not be accurate.
Reply to
Michelle *********
Reply
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