Helping Immigration Clients Receive Settlement Funds: Understanding Foreign Disbursement Programs

At the end of the day, a personal injury settlement is supposed to help someone move forward, not create new obstacles.

But for immigration clients who are non-residents or resident aliens, practical issues can complicate the settlement process and getting funds to your client when the following exist:

• No Social Security Number

• No U.S. bank account

• Concerns about receiving or accessing funds internationally

• Fear of losing access to funds if immigration status changes

In some cases, these issues can even delay or stall settlement negotiations.

What Can Immigration Clients Do?

One option to help move cases forward is a Foreign Disbursement Program (FDP).

An FDP is not a legal trust but instead a payment system designed to facilitate the transfer and use of settlement funds—particularly when traditional banking options are not available.

How It Works

• The client enters into a disbursement account agreement

• Settlement funds are placed into a managed account

• Funds are distributed according to a set schedule

• The client receives access through a reloadable debit card (e.g., MasterCard)

Key Benefits

• Provides a practical way to deliver funds to clients without U.S. banking access

• Allows international access to settlement proceeds

• Avoids repeated international wire fees

• Offers structured, consistent disbursement options

• Gives clients real-time access to account information

For more information about Foreign Disbursement Programs and other settlement solutions, contact Marci Gordon at marci@settlewithcss.com. Our team works to simplify the disbursement process and reduce logistical challenges so your client can access their recovery without unnecessary delay.