Oftentimes it won’t, though the answer really depends on your unique situation. If you’re receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) payments, you might find yourself wondering how a change of residence could affect this process, and why.
SSD vs. SSI
First, you must consider the two main types of Social Security Disability benefits:
Social Security Disability:
SSD is a payroll tax-funded federal insurance program of the United States government, designed to provide monthly benefits to people who have a medically applicable disability that hinders their ability for employment.
Supplemental Security Income:
SSI is a program that provides cash payments to disabled children, disabled adults, and individuals aged 65 or older who are citizens or nationals of the United States. These payments are subjective based on financial means.
These services are managed by the Social Security Administration or SSA, which is an independent agency of the US federal government that provides this social insurance program to US citizens who are retired, disabled or survivors of life-altering traumas.
Moving Out-Of-State?
As the federal government oversees SSD and SSI benefits, you will not have to reapply when moving to another state. In addition to not needing to reapply, you should not expect to see a difference in your SSD payments when you relocate within the country.
For SSI recipients, you will still receive your benefits. However, in addition to your SSI payments, only certain states pay additional SSI state supplements. This is important to keep in mind when you are moving.
States which do not pay ANY SSI state supplements: West Virginia, Tennessee, North Dakota, Mississippi, Arizona and Arkansas.
States which have the SSA administer their state supplemental payments: California, Hawaii, Montana, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Iowa, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, New Jersey, Utah, Michigan, New York, and Vermont.
States which administer their own state supplements (rather than having the SSA include them as part of your SSI payment): Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Virginia, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington.
Consider Your New Living Arrangement
In addition to state subjectivity, it is also important to note that even in states where SSI is administered, there are still some conditions that could affect the compensation you receive.
Mainly, if you would be moving in with a friend, relative or significant other. As previously mentioned, SSI’s purpose is to supplement one’s income, so you may see a difference in payments if you’re sharing expenses or receiving financial support elsewhere.
Moving Out of the Country?
It is already a big adjustment to relocate to a foreign country, but what does this mean for your benefits? Recipients of SSD may be concerned with how moving outside of the US affects their social security payments. For the most part, you shouldn’t be too worried about losing your benefits if you move out of the country, as SSD payments can be sent to 50 countries internationally that have a Social Security Agreement. Some countries where you can receive benefits without exception include the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Israel and Japan.
Conversely, some nations where benefits can’t get through include North Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia and Cuba. Additionally, former Soviet bloc countries do not accept US Social Security like Uzbekistan, Moldova and Ukraine, excluding Russia. Please be mindful of this when making your next move.
We’re Here to Help
It takes a lot of time, energy and planning ahead to move from Point A to Point B. This is where we come in to ensure your benefits both now and later down the line. Call Disability Attorneys of Michigan today for a free review of your disability case at 800-949-2900.