TN 152 (06-22)

SI 00830.105 Payments in Foreign Currency

A. Introduction

Occasionally, an individual reports receiving income tendered to him/her in a monetary unit other than U.S. dollars. This is usually in the form of a check or a direct deposit to a bank, received either by the individual or by someone on behalf of the individual.

B. Policy

1. Amount of income

The U.S. dollar value of a payment made in foreign currency, less expenses, is income.

2. When count

We count foreign currency payments when received unless the individual alleges and can establish that the payment was received too late in the month for conversion prior to the following month.

C. Procedure

1. Verify receipt and amount

Use a check or documents in the individual's possession to verify receipt of a foreign payment and the amount in foreign currency. If the payment is made directly to a bank, the bank may provide a statement of the amount received.

2. Evidence not available

If the evidence is not readily available, or if translation of the documents would require a delay beyond the receipt of the next payment, then:

  • adjudicate the case based on the individual's statement either signed or recorded on a DROC (if there is no reason to doubt the allegation); and

  • ask the individual to present his next check before cashing it.

3. Conversion to U.S. dollars

Verify the exchange rate for conversion of the foreign currency into U.S. dollars using:

  • A receipt for the individual's last exchange; or

  • A telephone call to a local bank or currency exchange.

4. Changes in exchange rate

Presume that an established exchange rate remains constant until the next FO redetermination, at which time verify the rate again. If at this point, the exchange rate has changed, presume the change occurs effective in the month of verification and that it remains constant until the next redetermination.

EXCEPTION: If the individual reports that the exchange rate has changed, verify the change and adjust the income charged to reflect the new rate. This includes reports that deal with a retroactive period (e.g., if the individual reports in December that the rate changed 2 months ago, verify the change and input it as of October).

D. References

NOTE: To view the current version of euros to dollars converter in the Currency Exchange Value link , please follow these instructions: Right click on the link and then click the option “Open with Microsoft Edge; Edge will then start (or open a new tab) and take you to the correct page.

Currency Exchange Values

SI 00830.160 Annuities, pensions, retirement or disability payments—General

GN 00301.330 Overview of Translation Process

SI 00830.710 German reparations payments


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500830105
SI 00830.105 - Payments in Foreign Currency - 06/09/2022
Batch run: 01/04/2023
Rev:06/09/2022