The FEP is one of the integrity measures used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify the existence and identity of beneficiaries living outside the United States. It does not apply to countries where Treasury restrictions prohibit delivery of SSA payments, see RS 02650.001C. Contacts are made annually or biennially to help us determine if any events have occurred that affect the beneficiaries’ eligibility to benefits or their ability to handle their own funds.

The purpose of the FEP is to:

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  Verify that the beneficiary is alive;

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  Obtain information and documentation regarding events that may result in suspension, reduction and termination of benefits; e.g., change in citizenship, marriage, divorce.

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  Obtain an annual accounting report from the representative payee (unless the payee is exempt from annual accounting requirements; for more information on exempt representative payees, see GN 00605.015);

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  Verify that there has been no change in custody for the incapable beneficiary; and

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  Gather data for use in administering the Social Security Program outside the U.S.

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  SSA-7162-OCR-SM Report To United States Social Security Administration) to be completed by the beneficiary. See instructions for form SSA-7162-INST.

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  SSA-7161-OCR-SM Report to United States Social Security Administration by Person Receiving Benefits For A Child Or Adult Unable to Handle Funds. See instructions for form SSA-7161-INST.

The instructions for completing the questionnaire are available in 10 foreign languages. The foreign instructions are sent with the English language questionnaire to the countries and consular codes listed here: