No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveHundreds of US expats in Costa Rica still at risk of losing...

Hundreds of US expats in Costa Rica still at risk of losing Social Security benefits

Some 300 U.S. citizens living in Costa Rica could see an interruption in their Social Security benefits, according to the U.S. Embassy in San José. 

Several hundred Social Security recipients have yet to return a questionnaire sent by the embassy in July and October to beneficiaries whose Social Security numbers end in 50-99, and those who receive benefits on behalf of a minor or disabled person.

The embassy says that it could take more than 45 days to resume payments after benefits have been interrupted.

Embassy Information Officer Eric Turner said in an email that the measure is an anti-fraud precaution that saved U.S. taxpayers some $200,000 in 2013 after the Social Security Administration suspended payments to 25 beneficiaries who failed to respond to the survey last year.

Beneficiaries with questions can contact the Federal Benefits Section at the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica (phone number 2519-2000) or send questions or comments to SJRegion@ssa.gov listing a full name, last four digits of a Social Security number on which benefits are received, and two telephone numbers. 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Maintains Economic Stability Amid Global Tensions

Costa Rica is holding steady economically despite global tensions sparked by conflicts involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, according to Federico Quesada Chaves,...

Why Costa Rica Feels Like a Safe Haven for This Longtime Expat

If someone asked me to sum up why I live in Costa Rica in 5 words or less, my answer could well be: “It...

Costa Rica’s Pride 2025 Closing Event Bans Minors, Sparks Outrage

Costa Rica’s Pride 2025 closing event, set for June 29 at San José’s Plaza de la Democracia, was thrown into controversy when the government...

Costa Rica Hunts for Nicaraguan Hit Squad After Exile’s Assassination

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) is investigating whether a hit squad tied to Nicaragua’s Ortega-Murillo regime is targeting exiled critics on its soil....

Costa Rica’s Piangua Mollusk Threatened by Pineapple Farm Runoff

Costa Rica’s Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland, a 33,000-hectare haven of mangroves and rivers, is under siege from an unlikely source: pineapple farms. A study by...

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica