An alien who becomes entitled to benefits based on an application filed on or after
September 1, 1996, must be lawfully present in the U.S. within the meaning of P.L.
104-193 for an entire month in order to receive benefits for that month. An alien
whose benefits are suspended because he/she does not meet the lawful presence requirement
for payment in the U.S. may nevertheless receive benefits effective with the first
full month he/she is outside the U.S. and continuing, subject to the alien non-payment
provisions (section 202(t)).