Initiate a change from a foreign address to a domestic address when the beneficiary informs SSA of their intent to establish or reestablish a residence in the United States.

The Office of International Operations (OIO) has jurisdiction of all claims where at least one beneficiary:

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  uses a foreign mailing address, including an APO/FPO address specific to a foreign country;

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  resides in a country to which the payment of benefits is barred or restricted;

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  will be outside the U.S. for at least 6 months;

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  resides in the U.S. and is entitled to totalization benefits; or,

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  resides in the U.S., is not insured for RSDI benefits but has at least 6 quarters of coverage, and their claim for totalization benefits has been denied.

OIO (PC 8) is no longer the Program Center (PC) with jurisdiction if noneof the requirements above are met. If it is determined that OIO (PC8) is no longer the PC of record, transfer jurisdiction to the appropriate Program Center (PC1-7) once the change of address has been processed.

In general, the law requires claimants for benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act and who reside in the United States to present evidence of status as either a U.S. citizen or an alien who meets the applicable immigration status rules.

Review the master beneficiary record (MBR) and verify that this information is present, current and accurate before initiating the change of address via the post entitlement PEAD screen.

If the information is missing or incomplete, a foreign to domestic change of address may bring the CLCZ (Citizenship US and/or Foreign) screen and the CLLP (Lawful Presence) screen into the path.

Lawful presence also affects Title XVI (SSI) and Title XVIII (Medicare for Uninsured) but as these benefits are not usually paid to individuals outside the United States they should not be of issue in a foreign to domestic change of address.

References

Establishing U.S. Citizenship for All SSA Programs (GN 00303.300)

Authorized Alien Status (GN 00303.400)

The withholding tax applies to Title II benefits paid to nonresident aliens both inside and outside the United States.

Nonresident alien tax withholding does not apply to:

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  U.S. citizens;

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  aliens lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence, or;

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  nonresident aliens who meet the substantial presence test.

Determine if nonresident alien tax withholding should remain in effect once the beneficiary returns to the United States.

Review the MBR and verify that this information is present, current and accurate before initiating the change of address via the post entitlement PEAD screen.

Process any changes to nonresident alien tax withholding via the PELF (Alien Tax Update) screen.

References

Beneficiaries Subject to the Withholding Tax (GN 05010.010)

Lawful Permanent Residency Test (GN 05010.035)

Substantial Presence Test (GN 05010.040)

Resumption of U.S. Resident Status (GN 05010.070)

If direct deposit data is present on the MBR, verify that it is accurate and that it will remain in effect.

International Direct Deposit (IDD) cannot continue when the beneficiary has a U.S. address.

When a Title II Beneficiary Moves to Another Country (GN 02402.210); provides step by step instructions concerning direct deposit and a move from a foreign country to the U.S.

Process any changes to direct deposit via the post entitlement system PEAD screen.

References

International Direct Deposit Cancellation (GN 02402.215)

POS Address/Direct Deposit/Phone (PEAD) (MSOM T2PE 003.002)

Citizenship (U.S. and/or Foreign) (CLCZ) (MSOM COMMON 005.010)

Lawful Presence (CLLP) (MSOM COMMON 005.011)

Alien Tax Update (PELF) (MSOM T2PE 003.014)