We reviewed SSA records to identify cases in which no payments were made, or benefits were suspended, because the beneficiary was in Russia.

We reviewed to identify those in which:

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  the beneficiary was still in Russia;

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  the file contained a complete address; and

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  entitlement had not been terminated.

Before payments can be resumed to a beneficiary who is in Russia, the beneficiary must establish:

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  their identity in a personal interview with a representative of one of the U.S. Embassy in Russia;

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  no termination or deduction events have occurred since the beneficiary moved to Russia (or other part of the former Soviet Union); and

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  their current eligibility to receive benefits.

Notices were sent to the beneficiaries identified in subsection A, in this section, advising them that payments could now be made to beneficiaries in Russia. The beneficiaries were advised to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate for assistance in having their benefits resumed or for assistance in determining whether they can receive any payments.

EXCEPTION: We did not send notices to beneficiaries who do not meet an exception to the alien nonpayment provision (ANP) unless it appeared that some benefits may be due them for the first 6 months they were outside the U.S..

When an FSP in Russia is contacted by, or on behalf of, one of the beneficiaries whose benefits could be resumed, FSP will take action as explained in subsection B in this section.