Hello I have a question re retirement. I am a Canadian Citizen. I came to the U.S. 25 yrs ago and never returned home. I applied for a social security card and drivers lic. And was issued both documents w/c are legal as I never misrepresented my self or lied about my status. Over the years I paid my taxes religiously. I have also applied for unemployment insurance several times and was also approved and I have also received social assistance by way of SNAP food benefits. About a year and a half ago I applied for retirement benefits and social security said that I qualified as I have completed the points required to qualify. However social security did say that I would not be able to receive retirement benefits while still here in the U.S. and that I would have to return to canada to receive my benefits after I sent social security a Canadian bank account, a lease agreement for an apartment and a passport to show that I have indeed returned home. I did tell social security that I did not need a passport to return home and were adamant about it. They also said that I would not receive payment for the waiting period.. Finally social security said that I do qualify for Medicare which I am currently using for doctors visits prescriptions and hospitalization. Is there anything that can be done releasing my retirement benefits while I'm still here in the U.S. as I really would like to go back home. Pls. Advice. Thank you, John

Hi John. People residing in the U.S. can only be paid Social Security benefits if they are U.S. citizens or if they lawfully present in the U.S. (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300204010). If you're lawfully present in the U.S., then you should have some type of document issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that proves your lawful status. You'll need to show that document to Social Security in order to be able to receive benefits while you are in the U.S.

However, if you aren't lawfully present in U.S., then as long as you remain in the U.S. I don't know of any way that you could be paid your Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry