Prior to April 1, 1990, no one living outside the United States was eligible to receive
SSI payments. On April 1, 1990, blind or disabled children of military parents stationed
outside the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories
and possessions of the United States could continue to receive SSI benefits, if they
met certain criteria.
The continuation of benefits, however, was not allowed for the children of military
parents stationed in Puerto Rico or the territories or possessions of the United States
until November 1, 1993.
The Social Security Protection Act, enacted March 2, 2004, extends SSI eligibility
to certain blind and disabled children of military personnel who were born overseas, who became blind and disabled while overseas, or who first applied for SSI benefits overseas. It does so by extending eligibility to blind or disabled
children who are United States citizens living with a parent assigned to permanent
U.S. military duty outside the United States, and who were not eligible for SSI benefits the month before the parent reported for the
military assignment
Prior to January 6, 2006, blind and disabled children of military personnel stationed
overseas generally had 12 months after an eligibility suspension to have payments
reinstated. Starting January 6, 2006, Public Law 109-163 extended the period the SSI
children overseas have for payment reinstatement. They have 24 months and not 12 months
to have payments reinstated after a suspension.