Moving from the US with a disability?

If you have a job already lined up, then most developed countries won't have a problem with you moving in to work there.

However, in the nations that have social welfare systems in place (like the UK or France etc), whilst you are a US citizen, they will expect the US government to pay for any disability allowances you require. If the US gov. won't pay, then you will be required to pay for any medical needs.

If you have some kind of insurance in place, that would help.

If you can become a citizen of that nation then they will provide for you and foot the bill, but until then they won't be all that helpful. They won't block you because of it, but they won't make life any easier.

You can understand why they would be like that, otherwise you'd have disabled "refugees" fleeing nations with poor healthcare resources to flock to the ones with good ones.

SSI does not follow you. You leave the US, you leave SSI behind. Also Medicaid. No legal exceptions.

SSDI can follow you to some countries, but not all. Medicare in most countries becomes useless. If you become a citizen of another country - your benefits end immediately.

No countries I know of are receptive to any person who cannot work. Your disability only makes it harder yet. Most countries have specific rules against immigration of people with disabilities UNLESS they sign an affidavit saying they will not financially benefit in any way - no benefits, no health insurance, no loans - nothing government sponsored.

SO basically, unless you are a rich person with a disability or have a job in high demand - you are going to stay put in the USA.

ADDED: This is the correct information for which countries you cannot receive SSDI benefits:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10137.html#a0=3

I can only answer your first question. SSI is the federal welfare program and is payable only to citizens who live in the United States. SSDI continues to be paid even if you live outside of the U.S. except in Cuba or N. Korea.

If you have Medicare it will become useless.

You can become a citizen of another country without renouncing your U.S. citizenship. As long as you are a citizen of the US you continue to receive your benefits.

However, SS does periodic medical reviews to insure that you are still disabled. Even if you have direct deposit you must keep SS apprised of your physical whereabouts so that they can contact you when they need to do so.

SSDI is payable unless 1) you work and earn over $1010 for a full year then you are no longer entitled to benefits 2) your medical condition has improved to the point that you are no longer considered to be disabled and 3) you die (kinda goes without saying, doesn't it?).