Social Security

I did a search for a topic on this, and couldn't find anything.  I am on Social Security Disability, and I will be able to continue to receive payments once in the UK.  However, I don't know how I will handle the direct deposits as I won't have an account at a UK bank until after I get there.  From what I can see, my options would be to have my US bank have a friend's address as my residence until I can work out getting a bank account (it will also be nice to still be able to use my cheque card for US gifts) or to start an online bank account like ING.  However, I am not sure if SS will deposit my check into an online only bank. 

Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?

Can you get them to put your payments on hold til you get a bank account sorted out here?

Maybe.  I am not sure if that's possible.  I don't even know if they will mail paper cheques to the UK.

for the meantime, I would just switch your address on your bank account to a friend or relative's and keep it open for those payments and other uses (having a US bank account with a US billing address can be very handy at times!)  Alternatively you may be able to change your bank account to an overseas billing address so you could have your new UK address on your account but still have the account open for SS payments.  Once you have a UK bank account, you can transfer the money over every month using a service like xetrade.

I'm not sure they pay SS if you leave the area. My mother gets SS for her disability and she's definately not allowed to leave California for more than 6 weeks.

I'd definately check before you move!

I'm not sure they pay SS if you leave the area. My mother gets SS for her disability and she's definately not allowed to leave California for more than 6 weeks.

I'd definately check before you move!

SSI you can't move and keep benefits.  You can move out of state IIRC, but you need to notify them and stuff.  SSD (and retirement benefits) you can move anywhere in the world. In order to have the payments sent out of the country, you need to be in a country that isn't diplomatically in bad relations with the US.  For instance, I don't think they send SSD and SSA payments to Syria or Cuba.  Some people get both SSD and SSI (how much SSD you get rather than SSI depends on your work history) so even if they are on SSD, they'd receive a major hit to income if they move.

I have been told that US SS is taxed in the UK?

I have been told that US SS is taxed in the UK?

It usually is.  I've included a link for the curious.  If you are planning to stay in the UK for the rest of your life, you may be entitled to SS retirement benefits when you come of US retirement age.  I am not sure about SSD or SSI if you become disabled.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html

1. The US embassy in London pays out social security benefits to 100,000 folks throughout Europe.  I'd call them first because they'll know about the mechanics of payment.

2. The income will indeed be taxable in the UK, but then the US/UK treaty would exempt it from US tax if paid in or brought to the UK.

1. The US embassy in London pays out social security benefits to 100,000 folks throughout Europe.  I'd call them first because they'll know about the mechanics of payment.
OK I'll start calling them. I'll need the phone numbers of all 100,000 you understand

when i used to live in egpyt, they would have the monthly binder  called, social sercuity checks, i seen it laying on the table behind the glass screen, so perhaps they will mail it to the embassy? but my question would be how to cash it?

 However, I am not sure if SS will deposit my check into an online only bank. 

Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?

I used to work at the Federal Benefits Unit at the Embassy - you should call them to find out what the current policy is regarding online banks.  You'll need to make sure they have your UK mailing address too. 

FYI, Social Security disability, retirement and survivors benefits are payable here in the UK.  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not.  Hope that helps!