Crossing the border before 30 consecutive days are over and then crossing back again to maintain SSI benefits?

[mf888]

Hi there. Just a quick question regarding SSI benefits. I am aware that one must not leave the country for more than 30 consecutive days in order to continure recieving the benefits. Just a scenario: if I live in California and was to fly to Bellingham, Washington and cross the border into Canada and stay there for less than 30 days, then proceed to cross the border back into Washington and then back again into Canada and stay for less than 30 days again before returning to California by flight again, is there anything wrong with that? Technically, I did not actually leave the country for more than 30 consecutive days as I crossed the border into the US before a month was over and then proceeded to stay in Canada again for less than a month before flying back.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

That would likely be seen as a violation of the law.

 

[quincy]

Hi there. Just a quick question regarding SSI benefits. I am aware that one must not leave the country for more than 30 consecutive days in order to continure recieving the benefits. Just a scenario: if I live in California and was to fly to Bellingham, Washington and cross the border into Canada and stay there for less than 30 days, then proceed to cross the border back into Washington and then back again into Canada and stay for less than 30 days again before returning to California by flight again, is there anything wrong with that? Technically, I did not actually leave the country for more than 30 consecutive days as I crossed the border into the US before a month was over and then proceeded to stay in Canada again for less than a month before flying back.

Why would you be making these trips back and forth, and how are you able to afford this travel?

Here is a link to eligibility requirements and exceptions:
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-eligibility-ussi.htm

 

[Janke]

So you would not be maintaining a residence in either California or Washington or anywhere in the US? Visiting the US does not mean that you live in the US. And unless you are paying rent somewhere each day, as a transient, you would also have a reduced SSI benefit because you are living rent free. You certainly would not be entitled the California SSI state supplement just because you set foot in California once a month. And some of these border crossings, maybe all, will be reported to SSI by ICE.

 

[LdiJ]

So you would not be maintaining a residence in either California or Washington or anywhere in the US? Visiting the US does not mean that you live in the US. And unless you are paying rent somewhere each day, as a transient, you would also have a reduced SSI benefit because you are living rent free. You certainly would not be entitled the California SSI state supplement just because you set foot in California once a month. And some of these border crossings, maybe all, will be reported to SSI by ICE.

Are you sure about the bolded? I don't know how ICE would have any idea who was or wasn't collecting SS Benefits, therefore how they would know whom to report to the SSA.

 

[Janke]

Government data bases have multiple interfaces. Name, SSN, DOB matches. There are times when ICE info does get to SSI. But how and when those interfaces happen is not public information so I have no SSA reference to give.

 

[Zigner]

Government data bases have multiple interfaces. Name, SSN, DOB matches. There are times when ICE info does get to SSI. But how and when those interfaces happen is not public information so I have no SSA reference to give.

So, to be clear, because you have no way to show the accuracy of what you said, you are retracting your earlier statement, right?

 

[Janke]

If I could give you a link to the I9 diary, I would. Not retracting my statement. I don't have to show accuracy to make a statement. Believe it or not. Your decision.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

The data is available no matter if there is currently a program to cross-reference ICE and SSA data. Such a program could start and any payments made would be owed back to the SSA.

 

[quincy]

The legality can depend on why these crossings are made. We don't know if mf888 is a student, for example.

Facts matter ... although it sure seems as if mf888 might be trying to play with the 30 day requirement.

 

[Zigner]

If I could give you a link to the I9 diary, I would. Not retracting my statement. I don't have to show accuracy to make a statement. Believe it or not. Your decision.

Thank you - I'll note that and make sure to remind folks, as needed..

 

[mf888]

Why would you be making these trips back and forth, and how are you able to afford this travel?

Here is a link to eligibility requirements and exceptions:
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-eligibility-ussi.htm

I would be making the trip back and forth by car across the border.

 

[mf888]

The legality can depend on why these crossings are made. We don't know if mf888 is a student, for example.

Facts matter ... although it sure seems as if mf888 might be trying to play with the 30 day requirement.

You can call it what you want, but as long as I am technically not out the country for 30 consecutive days, no blame can be held against me

 

[mf888]

Are you sure about the bolded? I don't know how ICE would have any idea who was or wasn't collecting SS Benefits, therefore how they would know whom to report to the SSA.

That's exactly what I was thinking as well. How would they know? And even if they do, I am not doing anything wrong if I am not out of the country for more than 30 consecutive days, correct?

 

[not2cleverRed]

I would be making the trip back and forth by car across the border.

How you are traveling does not answer why.

The why matters.