SSDI and SSI Travel Restrictions: Where Can You Go?

If you receive Social Security disability benefits, the idea of traveling or even moving to another country can feel complicated. Can you take that long-awaited vacation or visit family abroad without risking the income you rely on? The answer depends entirely on which type of benefit you receive: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

These two federal programs have very different rules about international travel. Understanding them is essential to protect your benefits.

This guide provides a clear, updated breakdown of what you need to know for 2025, from short trips to long-term stays abroad, and even travel between U.S. states.

SSDI vs. SSI Travel Rules

The first step is to know which benefit you receive. Though both are managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), they serve different purposes and have their own travel limitations.

• SSDI is an earned benefit. It’s based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you paid over the years. Because you paid into the system, the rules for receiving SSDI payments abroad are much more flexible.
• SSI is a needs-based program. It provides financial assistance to disabled, blind, or elderly people with very limited income and resources, regardless of their work history. SSI has strict residency requirements, and benefits are rarely payable outside the United States.

Let’s dive into the specific rules for each.

SSI Travel Restrictions: The Strict 30-Day Rule

If you receive SSI, your ability to travel internationally is extremely limited. The SSA will stop your payments if you are outside the United States for 30 consecutive days or more. This also applies if you are gone for a full calendar month (for example, from February 1st to February 28th).

To be eligible for SSI, you must be a resident of the United States. The SSA defines the “United States” as the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Being in territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands is considered being outside the U.S. for SSI purposes.

If your benefits are suspended due to travel, they won’t restart the moment you get back. You must be physically present in the U.S. for another 30 consecutive days before your eligibility can be reinstated. Your payments will then resume in the month following that 30-day period.

SSDI Travel Rules

SSDI provides much more freedom for international travel. However, there are still important guidelines to follow, which depend on your citizenship status and your destination. For SSDI, the SSA considers you “outside the U.S.” if you stay in a foreign country for more than 30 consecutive days.

For U.S. Citizens on SSDI

As a U.S. citizen, you can generally receive your SSDI payments while living in most countries around the world. Your benefits can continue indefinitely as long as you remain eligible for disability.

There are, however, a few exceptions. The U.S. Department of the Treasury restricts payments to certain countries. As of 2025, the SSA cannot send payments to individuals in:

• Cuba
• North Korea

If you are in one of these restricted countries, the SSA will withhold your payments. The good news is that these benefits aren’t lost forever. They are held as “accrued benefits” and can be paid to you later if you move to a country where payments are permitted.

For Non-U.S. Citizens on SSDI

If you are not a U.S. citizen (a non-citizen lawfully residing in the U.S.), the rules are more complex. Generally, your SSDI benefits will stop after you have been outside the U.S. for six full calendar months.

However, you may be able to continue receiving payments if you meet an exception, such as:

• Being a citizen of a country that has a social security agreement with the U.S. (often called a “totalization agreement”). These countries include Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, among others.
• Serving as an active member of the U.S. military.
• Having lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years or earned 40 quarters of Social Security coverage (the equivalent of 10 years of work).

If your benefits are stopped after six months abroad and you don’t meet an exception, you cannot reclaim those missed payments later, even if you move back to the U.S.

What About Traveling Between U.S. States?

A common question is whether moving or traveling to another state affects your benefits. The short answer is no, traveling between states does not stop your federal SSDI or SSI payments. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

You must report any change of address to the SSA. This is crucial for receiving mail and ensuring your records are current.

For SSI recipients, a move can impact state-specific benefits:

• State Supplementary Payments (SSP): While SSI is a federal program, some states choose to add their own supplemental payment to the monthly federal amount. States like California and New York administer their own supplements. Moving from one of these states to a state that doesn’t offer a supplement, like Florida or Texas, would reduce your total monthly income.
• Medicaid: Your eligibility for Medicaid is often tied to your SSI status. Since Medicaid is administered at the state level, the rules and coverage can vary. When you move, you will need to reapply for Medicaid in your new state.