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 they do not meet the lawful presence requirement
for payment in the U.S. may nevertheless receive benefits effective with the first
full month they are outside the U.S. and continuing, subject to the alien non-payment
provisions (section 202(t)).