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I am trying very hard to find a place to live on my Social Security Disability.
Can I really live on $1500 a month in CR:?
It will be a one shot deal, as I can not afford to visit multiple places. Thanks for any input…
The answer to your question depends entirely upon your needs (and maybe physical limitations) and your wants. If you seek them out, you can find rental homes in the $300 – $400 per month range, but they will be “typical Tico” and not what you’re used to.
You may not get hot water. The wiring may not be up to your expectations. There probably won’t be kitchen cabinetry. The house is not likely to have screens. You’ll have to provide your own appliances and probably your own furniture, etc. The neighbors (and likely the traffic) will be nearby and noisy.
Bear in mind, too, that Costa Rica generally is not up to North American standards as far as accessibility for handicapped persons is concerned. Curbs are not all ramped. Sidewalks are mostly rough and uneven. And the Central Valley generally is hilly which may pose a problem for you.
On the other hand, if you’re frugal, you can keep utilities to a minimum. Public transportation (if you can use it) is inexpensive. Fresh food is reasonably priced.
Be prepared to pay a premium for everything that’s imported.
In order to remain in Costa Rica long-term and legally, you will have to apply for legal residency. The primary qualification is to have an income of $1,000US per month that is guaranteed for life. I wonder if your disability has been determined by Social Security to be permanent and beyond future reconsideration?
All that said, the areas outside any of the towns and small cities in the Central Valley should be good places to look. Consider Atenas, Grecia, Sarchi, Naranjo, Palmares and San Ramon.
This will depend on where you choose to live and how you choose to live, but costs are rising here … like everywhere else.
You need to have funds on hand, for the ‘unexpected’ expenses which will come up, as the social medical system here, will not cover everything you require.
If indeed you have a serious ongoing medical condition, the CAJA may be inadequate.
To apply for [i]Pensionado[/i] status your Social Security Disability must be guaranteed ‘permanent’. The cost to do this is approx. $1800.
Check out the residency requirements at http://www.costaricalaw.com
Thank you for your response.
No, My disability comes up for review evey 6 or 7 years. Beings my disease has no cure, I doubt it will ever be denied though.
So, this will be a problem then? It has to be ‘permanently’ guaranteed. Hmmmm I will do some checking.The reviewability of your Social Security Disability award may not matter depending on just what your Social Security award letter says. You might request a new award letter and read the wording carefully. If there’s no mention of a review, you may be on solid ground.
Since you say that your disease has no cure, ongoing treatment/care should be addressed [b]before[/b] you make any decision. There are [b]very[/b] few facilities for the aging population, either native or expats and the ones that are here, are very basic, and I mean, basic…but not necessarily free or cheap.
the review process has no bearing on whether your SSD qualifies you for residency. but costaricafinca is right — better check to make sure you can get treatment and/or the meds you need here. not everything is avilable in the caja system and if you have to go outside the system to get certain meds, they can be quite expensive.
[quote=”maravilla”]the review process has no bearing on whether your SSD qualifies you for residency. [/quote]
Social Security DOES, in fact, conduct periodic reviews of all disability insurance recipients’ continuing eligibility. See paragraph 1, line 1:
http://www.ssdrc.com/disabilityquestions4-7.html
An update to Social Security’s previous findings may not translate into a direct impact on one’s Costa Rican [i]pensionado[/i] residency status, but if Costa Rican Immigration is aware that, as the citation above states, the award of a disability claim is not guaranteed for life, they may not recognize that award as being guaranteed for life which, along with the income minimum, is the primary criterion for acceptability.
May be alittle off the subject but I live on a railroad disability. Does my check have to be deposited in a costa rican bank or can I maintain it being deposited in my bank in the U.S.
For the purposes of qualifying for and remaining eligible for [i]pensionado[/i] residency, there is no restriction on where your income, guaranteed for life, must be deposited by the payor. It can go to a U.S. bank or credit union, or (I think) your railroad disability can be deposited to an account at [i]Banco Nacional[/i] or [i]Banco de Costa Rica[/i] here. I know that Social Security checks can be directly deposited to your BN or BCR account for a monthly fee of $6.00US.
the letter written by the embassy verifying your benefits if they are under SSD makes no reference whatsoever to the fact that it is a disability payment vs regular SSA. so there is no way for la migra to know anything about the review process.
[quote=”maravilla”]the review process has no bearing on whether your SSD qualifies you for residency. but costaricafinca is right — better check to make sure you can get treatment and/or the meds you need here. not everything is avilable in the caja system and if you have to go outside the system to get certain meds, they can be quite expensive.[/quote]
I have had someone check my med availability in CR. They are available. I am concerned about this disability review though. Yes, I was reviewed after 6 years and it has been renewed for another 6. I don’t know why I am not on permanent status…?!
[quote=”DavidCMurray”]For the purposes of qualifying for and remaining eligible for [i]pensionado[/i] residency, there is no restriction on where your income, guaranteed for life, must be deposited by the payor. It can go to a U.S. bank or credit union, or (I think) your railroad disability can be deposited to an account at [i]Banco Nacional[/i] or [i]Banco de Costa Rica[/i] here. I know that Social Security checks can be directly deposited to your BN or BCR account for a monthly fee of $6.00US.[/quote]
Good to know
[quote=”costaricafinca”]Since you say that your disease has no cure, ongoing treatment/care should be addressed [b]before[/b] you make any decision. There are [b]very[/b] few facilities for the aging population, either native or expats and the ones that are here, are very basic, and I mean, basic…but not necessarily free or cheap.[/quote]
My disease is auto immune and flair ups can be treated at most hospital facilities. Usually a super dose of steroids, pain meds, and breathing treatments will get me back on the road again. My maintenance meds are readily available in CR
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