Section 202(t)(1) of the Social Security Act provides that certain non-U.S. citizen beneficiaries will have their benefits suspended once they have been outside the United States for more than six months, unless they meet an exception.

One such exception is in section 233(c)(2) of the Act. As explained in GN 01701.150A.1, certain non-U.S. citizen beneficiaries who would otherwise be subject to suspension under section 202(t)(1) are exempt from suspension if they reside in a country with which the United States has a Totalization agreement. This exemption applies to residents of Italy who receive regular retirement, survivors, or disability benefits, as well as those who receive Totalization benefits.

NOTE: Italian citizens are exempt from the Alien Nonpayment Provisions, regardless of where they reside (see RS 02610.015B). However, see C. below for information on an additional requirement and its exemption for certain dependents and survivors.

If a claimant who does not meet another exception to the alien nonpayment provision alleges residence in Italy, develop residence status to verify that the exemption provided by the agreement applies.

Generally, we do not pay benefits to dependents and survivors who have been outside the United States for more than 6 months and who first became eligible for the benefits after 1984 (P.L. 98-2 section 340), unless they satisfy certain U.S. residency requirements (5-year residency rule).

This requirement is based on the provisions of section 202(t)(11) of the Social Security Act. During this 5-year residency, the dependent or survivor must have been in a family relationship with the number holder (NH).

However, section 202(t)(11)(E) of the Act exempts citizens or residents of a country with which the United States has a Totalization agreement from the five-year U.S. residency requirement, unless the agreement provides otherwise or includes a limitation on the exemption. The U.S.- Italian agreement does not contain a limitation on this exemption. Therefore:

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  Italian citizens (regardless of where they reside); and

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  Non-U.S. citizen beneficiaries who are residents of Italy meeting an exception to the Alien Non-payment Provisions, and who qualify for U.S. dependents or survivors benefits, are exempt from the five-year U.S. residency requirement.

The Field Office (FO) should develop for Italian citizenship and residence status for a non-U.S. citizen dependent or survivor who:

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  Meets an exception to section 202(t)(1) of the Act, but

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  Does not meet the five-year residency requirement; and

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  Alleges Italian citizenship, or residence status.

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  GN 01701.150A.2 Alien Nonpayment Exemptions under Totalization Agreements.

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  GN 01702.220 - GN 01702.230 Developing Citizenship and Residence status.

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  GN 01702.225 Evidence of Status as Refugee or Stateless Person.

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  RS 02610.000 Alien Nonpayment Provisions.

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  RS 02610.010 Exceptions to Alien Nonpayment.

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  RS 02610.015 Status of Countries for Alien Nonpayment Provision (ANP) Exceptions Based on Citizenship.

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  RS 02610.025 Five-Year Residency Requirement for Alien Dependents and Survivors Outside the United States (U.S.).

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  RS 02610.030 Five-Year Residency Requirements for Spouses, Natural Child, Adopted Child, and a Parent.