Because some beneficiaries did not notify SSA when they left the U.S., benefits were incorrectly paid to addresses (including financial institutions) in the U.S. or other countries.

If information, or a subsequent claim, indicates that a deceased beneficiary may have received benefits while in Russia or the former Soviet Union, obtain the claims file for information on the date the deceased left the U.S. and any returned checks.

Develop to determine if an overpayment exists if:

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  the file does not resolve the question (i.e., show that the payments were correct); and

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  additional benefits (including monthly benefits to a spouse) may be payable or another beneficiary may be entitled on that record.

If no additional benefits are payable, annotate the record to show that development will be necessary if additional benefits become payable.