Effective Dates: 03/15/2024 - Present Previous | Next

TN 25 (03-24)

GN 00905.120 Claims and Inquiries from Residents of the People's Republic of China

A. Background

There is no bar to sending checks to individuals in the People's Republic of China (PRC). The PRC servicing Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Manila has special procedures for the development of claims and verification of evidence.

Before July 1991, SSA did not have sufficient information to make a decision on the social insurance system of the PRC. As a result, the application of the alien nonpayment provisions to PRC citizens caused confusion and was often the subject of inquiries from, or on behalf of, individuals in the PRC.

In July 1991, SSA determined that effective April 1989, citizens of the PRC can receive benefits outside the United States if they meet certain exceptions to the alien nonpayment provisions, as explained in RS 02610.015.

Notice of this decision was sent to those PRC beneficiaries in suspense who it appeared could meet an exception to the alien nonpayment provisions.

B. Procedure

1. Field Office (FO)

Refer claims inquiries and applications for benefits from, or on behalf of, persons in the PRC to the Division of International Operations (DIO). Include, if available, the individual's PRC address in Chinese characters. Advise DIO if it is not available.

NOTE: Correspondence to the PRC cannot be delivered without a Chinese-character address.

2. DIO

Refer the inquiry to the FBU in Manila for PRC, together with the Chinese-character address, if available.

3. Alien Nonpayment Provision inquiries

Refer inquiries about the resumption of benefits for PRC citizens to the Office of Income Security Programs if the:

  1. a. 

    Award was processed prior to July 1991; and

  2. b. 

    Beneficiary was in suspense status.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200905120
GN 00905.120 - Claims and Inquiries from Residents of the People's Republic of China - 03/15/2024
Batch run: 03/15/2024
Rev:03/15/2024