The Alien Nonpayment Provision refers to aliens who are outside the United States.
An alien is defined as a person who is a citizen of a foreign country. Outside the
United States means outside the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands or American Samoa.
Section 202 (t) of the Social Security Act, states that an alien residing outside
the United States (U.S) for six full consecutive calendar months cannot be paid benefits
beginning with the seventh month of his /her absence. Once the 6-month period of absence
is completed and payments have been suspended, the benefits may not be resumed until
the alien has been back in the U.S. for one full calendar month, See (RS 02610.041) –Lawful Presence and the Alien Nonpayment Provisions and (RS 00204.010) - Lawful Presence Payment Provisions (for application filed on or after December
1, 1996.)
Benefits cannot be made to aliens residing in certain countries notwithstanding the
rules noted above. See (RS 02650.001) - Treasury Department Restrictions.