PRESS RELEASE, US EMBASSY, SAN JOSE – The Social Security Administration (SSA) regularly contacts beneficiaries with addresses on their SSA record that shows they reside outside the United States to verify their current status.
This year, questionnaires were sent to beneficiaries receiving their own benefits whose social security number ended in 50-99 or to beneficiaries who have representative payees (person receiving benefits on behalf of a minor or disabled person). Selected beneficiaries receive the form with an envelope to the SSA facility in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
In October, SSA mailed a follow-up notice to beneficiaries who did not respond to the original questionnaire sent in July 2013. If you received the questionnaire, please return it to the address on the envelope SSA provided.
SSA will suspend the benefits if they do not receive a completed and signed Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (form SSA-7162 or SSA-7161) by December 30, 2013. If your benefits are interrupted for failure to return the questionnaire, it could take 45-days or longer to resume your payments.
Beneficiaries with questions or concerns regarding the questionnaire should contact SJRegion@ssa.gov. When you e-mail, please include your full name, last four digits of the social security number receive benefits on, and two telephone numbers where we can reach you.
Official press release from the U.S. Embassy San José, in Costa Rica