Just like the education issue, I can't seem to ever find a clear answer on this. Legally I know you can receive SSD abroad, but I wonder how this effects a possible review? Will it look odd, or taint the review of a younger SSD recipient who is claiming for psychological issues if he is residing in say the Dominican Republic

I believe SSDI SHOULD be looking at the facts on a case, not what "looks weird."

Having adequate medical documentation is critical in any review. Before moving abroad, I would make sure I could manage the health insurance and regular treatment in that country.

The reason you can't find a clear answer is that there is none.

SSA looks at the totallity of the medical evidence along with specifics about your daily activities. If your mental illness does not impair normal daily functioning, it doesn't matter if you live outside the US or in Austin TX, St Paul MN, Fresno CA, or Baltimore MD.

Yes Janke, but does the fact that someone is living overseas alone give a signal to the fact that their mental illness doesn't impair daily functioning? This is what I am wondering..

finz, beautiful dog, and I do agree that setting up psychiatric care in another country is an issue that needs to be addressed

If you think so and I think so and we are reasonable people, then other reasonable people could think so and that includes medical experts like psychiatrists and trained disability examiners.

Thank you, EA....she is my baby girl !

Remember that SSDI isn't going to look for ONLY if mental illness/impaiment "impairs daily functioning", they will be looking for signs that there is not a TOTAL disability, that you cannot successfully engage in SGA.

I think the SSA should be looking at the total picture. For instance.....a 20 something young woman who is moved to a Caribbean island by her mother, who is her legal guardian. Mom has signed the lease, manages the household, prepares most meals, etc. Young lady may spend several hours each day lounging on the beach on her chaise, From a distance, it appears that she is "living" the life, but it was all arranged by someone else because the young lady has a mental handicap that prevents her from being able to function independently. Contrast that with someone who has a lesser mental handicap......someone who may have found it difficult, but was able to research an inexpensive tropical hide-a-way, schedule trips there to chose housing, made all arrangements for passports and travel, moved away by herself and manages her own household. She could have the chaise next to our first example there on the beach. On paper, they both moved and the final picture of them enjoying paradise looks similar.

If I were a SSDI reviewer, I would glance over the first example here, but I would look VERY closely at the second. The brief examples given don't even mention specific diagnoses or medical care required. It's obvious the secong young lady is MUCH more capable than the first. I can't say that the second CAN work and make SGA, but I would really wonder why she couldn't.

I am not disabled because of mental imapirments (although I do suffer from a few that could be disabling in someone less fortunate), but I am one of the many with an "invisible" disability. If I happen to be having a good pain day and save up my prn meds, I can look "normal" Someone looking at me on vacation on a beach in my chaise might think I'm abusing the system. I think they'd change their mind if they saw me writhing in pain in bed for several days after that glorious beach outing. I think they'd change their mind if they had to be the 47 year woman asking a teenage son to help me hook on a bra, change my bedlinen, and wash my panties. If I can drag myself to an ocean, pool, or hottub.....I'll do anything to get there. Floating takes so much pain away. People can see me enjoy that and think my life can't be that difficult. They don't know I can only enjoy water therapy in public because I can't get in and out of my own bathtub (there is a limit to what I will make my boys do for me ) "Invisible" disabilities will be tricky for SSA to figure out.

I think you are looking for an answer that NO ONE can give you. Yes, SSDI recipients CAN move to a foreign country. How much that will trigger a closer peek at someone's review is anyones guess. No one can guarantee you that it won't matter at all.....not because of a move, but because of eveything involved with a move.

This reminds me a lot of our past conversations/your thread about attending school/taking classes. There is no rule against being enrolled in a class and being on SSDI. I would think the SSA would look at what's involved with that educaction....someone taking a full course load torward a degree is most likely putting far more effort into their education that someone taking one class in their hobby. I think some education pusuits are more likely to trigger a closer look than others.

All of these types of question don't have the simple answer that I think you are looking for. There aren't rules barring you from doing some of these things. That doesn't mean that if SSA notes you (or anyone) regualrly engaging in something that they won't then question why you can't work. Their review system is SUPPOSED to help identify who is still disabled and who is functional enough to be able to attempt SGA. The reviews SHOULD be looking at the WHOLE record and some isolated incidents, like a move, just doesn't tell them enough about your abilities on a day to day basis.

Interesting subject...this is why I am at this site.....I am learning from all of you, thank you for posting these!

i am u.s born and am reciving s.s. for me and my kids and live in meridia yucatan and there have beeen no issues with s.s. . i just made it really clear to the s.s. department that i live down there and the cost of living there makes it possible for me to live on what they pay .

Just a quick question (sorry, but I didn't want to start a new thread as this one was how I found the site), will the SSA accept medicals from overseas doctors? I live in Canada because I got married, but am contemplating applying for SSDI as I would clearly qualify (I haven't been here long enough for CPP) medically, and have my points with the SSA. I just don't know if I need to see a US doctor?

Thank you

Welcome yellow mustard.

Someone will be along to help.