Patrick K. Says:
My father was born in Canada, so I believe I am eligible for a Canadian passport. As a 90% disabled Vietnam veteran, I receive a monthly disability payment as well as a Social Security payment. Would getting a Canadian passport jeopardize these payments?
IL Global Diversification Expert Ted Baumann Says:
Hi Patrick,
You are entitled to any payments to which you are eligible under the Social Security system (which includes disability), no matter where you live in the world—even if you have a second passport.
Acquiring a Canadian passport should have no effect on your disability and Social Security payments.
Though if you wish to move to Canada, you should check how it will impact your Tricare coverage. The best way to do this is to contact Tricare directly here.
You can even have your payments deposited directly into a foreign bank account—although given the simplicity of international money transfers these days, I advise people to have those payments put into a U.S. bank account, and then transfer them offshore as needed.
You’re correct that you should be entitled to a Canadian passport since your father was born in Canada.
A distinct advantage that comes with Canadian citizenship is the international acceptance of the Canadian passport. It’s one of the most respected in the world.
Plus, as a citizen of a member nation of the British Commonwealth, you can enter Britain without obtaining a prior visa, and enjoy visa-free entry to 183 other countries.
You can learn much more about the benefits and process of getting a second passport in The Passport Book, written by my father Ted Bauman and available on the IL Bookstore here.
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