From March 1951 through May1968, U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) regulations
prevented the payment of Social Security benefits to, or on behalf of, beneficiaries
in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (the Soviet Union). When Treasury removed
these restrictions in June 1968, SSA still could not make payments to the Soviet Union
because there was no reliable way to deliver benefit checks to those residing there.
In addition, the Soviet Union would not allow SSA free access to beneficiaries and
vital statistics records. SSA requires free access to verify existence, identity,
entitlement, and continued eligibility.
When the Soviet Union dissolved on December 25, 1991, the former Soviet republics
became independent. The United States (U.S.) recognized Georgia as an independent
country on that date. However, SSA was unable to obtain assurances of free access
in the country. Without such assurances, we could only make payments to eligible persons
who met and agreed to certain restricted payment conditions. (See Special Payment
Procedures for Certain SSA-Restricted Countries, RS 02650.040A).
In January 2017, SSA received the necessary written assurances of free access in Georgia
through the U.S. Department of State and began removing SSA’s payment restrictions
on Georgia.