Effective Dates: 12/28/2023 - Present Previous | Next

TN 28 (12-23)

RS 02650.102 Resumption of Payments to Beneficiaries in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

A. Background on resumption of payments to beneficiaries in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

We reviewed SSA records to identify cases in which no payments were made, or benefits were suspended, because the beneficiary was in Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania. We reviewed to identify those in which:

  • •

    The beneficiary was still in Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania;

  • •

    The file contained a complete address; and

  • •

    Entitlement had not been terminated.

B. Policy on resumption of payments

Before payments can be resumed to a beneficiary who is in Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania:

  • •

    The beneficiary must establish their identity in a personal interview with a representative of the U.S. Embassy in that country;

  • •

    No termination or deduction events can have occurred since the beneficiary entered Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania (or if later, when they became entitled to benefits); and

  • •

    The beneficiary must establish their current eligibility to receive benefits.

C. Procedure for resumption of payments

1. Beneficiary Notification

We sent notices advertising that payments could now be made to beneficiaries in their country to the beneficiaries identified in RS 02650.102A in this section. We advised the beneficiaries to contact the U.S. Embassy in their country to determine whether they could now receive any benefits and to assist with resumption of their benefits.

EXCEPTION:

  1. a. 

    We did not send notices to Latvian and Lithuanian citizens who did not meet an exception to the alien nonpayment provision (ANP) during the initial contacts. After making determinations that the social insurance systems of Latvia and Lithuania met the requirements for exception under the ANP within the Social Security Act, we notified citizens of Latvia and Lithuania of the possible resumption of their benefits.

  2. b. 

    We sent notices to beneficiaries in Latvia and Lithuania whose citizenship was unknown, asking for information on their citizenship and the dates they left the United States. We took action based on their responses, as explained above.

2. Foreign Service Post (FSP) Action

We gave the U.S. Embassies in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania lists of the beneficiaries identified as living in those countries. They took action as explained in RS 02650.102B in this section when contacted by one of the individuals whose benefits could be resumed.

If an FSP received information that one of the beneficiaries had died, they requested information or evidence about the date of death.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0302650102
RS 02650.102 - Resumption of Payments to Beneficiaries in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - 12/28/2023
Batch run: 12/28/2023
Rev:12/28/2023