Effective Dates: 12/23/2025 - Present Previous | Next

TN 63 (12-25)

GN 00303.900 Evidence of Foreign Travel - Foreign Travel Data Application

A. Background

In both the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) programs, we rely almost exclusively on self-reporting to determine when a material absence from the U.S. affects payments.  Depending on length of travel, citizenship status, and other factors (including the country of destination), we may require claimants, SSI recipients, and RSDI beneficiaries to report certain periods of absence from the U.S. When individuals do not report their absences timely or at all, improper payments may occur.

Our Inspector General has long recommended that we improve our controls in this area by using travel data provided to SSA by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instead of relying on individuals' reports. Furthermore, presidential budget requests since February 2016 have recommended government-wide use of foreign travel data to curb improper payments in Federal programs.

B. Introduction to the Foreign Travel Data (FTD) Application

1. Purpose of the FTD Application

We developed the FTD application with a data exchange to create direct query access to DHS's Arrival and Departure Information System (ADIS). We use this application to obtain foreign travel information.

ADIS is an electronic repository maintained by DHS that contains information on U.S. entries and exits for citizens and non-citizens. The repository receives data from several DHS components and the U.S. Department of State.

2. Implementation of the FTD Application

The FTD application is a valuable tool and builds on our existing, successful exchanges with DHS that prevent and detect improper payments. On June 17, 2019, we began using travel data from ADIS in the SSI program. Upon implementation, we used the FTD application only in Redeterminations (RZ) involving non-citizens. The expansion of the FTD application's functionality and business processes will occur in phases.

Beginning January 2, 2026, the FTD application is expanded for use when completing RZs for U.S. citizens in certain situations. Also, the use of the FTD application is expanded for use in SSI initial claims when developing for SSI payments, such as aged, simultaneous development (e.g., terminal illness (TERI), pre-effectuation reviews (PERC), reconsideration reversals, and Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) reversals for non-citizens in all cases and for U.S. citizens in certain situations, see SI 00501.409B.

3. FTD Information is a Third-Party Report

The travel information displayed in the FTD application is a third-party report that we can use to develop foreign travel as it relates to our programs. Verification of FTD information must occur before making an initial determination of SSI eligibility or taking any action on payments. An individual with suspended payments based on verified FTD information will have full appeal rights, including the right to continue to receive payments during the first level of appeal in certain circumstances. See SSI suspension and reinstatement policy in SI 02301.201B.

NOTE: Technicians cannot under any condition copy or print the FTD Data Results screen(s) within the FTD application. If an individual requests a copy or printout, technicians should refer the individual to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Information Center website, since the FTD information is DHS/CBP information.

C. The FTD Application in SSI claims

The FTD application is a query feature available on the SSI Claims Actions page within the Consolidated Claims Experience (CCE) system. For more information on using the FTD application for SSI purposes, see SI 00501.409.

Additionally, the FTD User Guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to access and use the FTD application and is available via a user guide link in the upper right-hand corner of the FTD application.

D. The FTD application in RSDI claims

The FTD application is not yet available for RSDI claims. We will expand the functionality of the FTD application in future system releases.

E. References

SI 00501.409 Using the Foreign Travel Data (FTD) Application (SSI)

SI 00501.410 Ineligibility Due to Absence from the United States/Developing Presence

SI 02301.201 Description of SSI Posteligibility (PE) Events

 

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200303900
GN 00303.900 - Evidence of Foreign Travel - Foreign Travel Data Application - 12/23/2025
Batch run: 12/23/2025
Rev:12/23/2025