cusanus

Suit yourself, but this isn't a hitch in someone's mailbox. if there's no explanation why the first form didn't arrive, there's no reason to believe the second will ever show up. Since the 1st of this year it can take 2-3 months for a parcel to get to its destination in US from Thailand instead of the solid 2 weeks decades prior. It may well be Manila isn't able to confirm this year, either. They've always had periods where they can't respond and that was before these massive cuts, so you're cutting it thin if you wait that long, anyway that's how I see it, but then who am I. So, if you send in your 2nd form and it doesn't get there and you don't know or can't fix it in time, then surprise surprise come February no benefits. You may be right, but it's common knowledge that restoring benefits or making other changes since early 2025 hasn't been possible for many people due to changes in procedures and massive layoffs. Minor changes now require you to show up in person at a local SSA office after standing all day in line and if that applies to expats it means a plane ticket to the USA and a hell of a lot of trouble. Oh, but that's over reacting I hear you cry. Use your own judgment and give others the right to theirs.

It's not an old form, it's just the the original barcode, COC, SSN that facilitates processing and ensures the right personal information is included. You can use a blank if that turns your crank or do nothing. My guess is you're okay to wait, but the official word is that the form is mailed early June and no statement has been issued for your benefit as to why it's three weeks late unlike in 2019. After DOGE's cuts and the breakdown of services at many SS offices in the states, it isn't stupid or paranoid to suspect that's also why the forms are late and may never come, but no reason to believe they will not be accepted when received. I've enquired Manila numerous times on my own behalf and for others using phone or email and they have always been able to tell me if the form was received or not. You're probably fine to wait it out, after all the turtle won the day. I'm neither paranoid nor stupid. I have a lot of time on my hands, many bad experiences with blind trust in government and so would rather not leave my only source of income up to chance. You, on the other hand are entitled to rely on full faith in the American government and nobody should be calling anyone stupid for waiting it out.

Yeah, Try [email protected], one l sorry. Ask if they've received your form. Don't forget to include your SSN and/or attached copy of your signed form. They can also use the copy to register it, or they have done that in the past. Good luck.

It's certainly an uneasy feeling knowing SSA was supposed to mail the 7162 in early June after Musk and Rump laid off thousands of workers and totally gummed up SS offices throughout the country. Certainly an explanation of the late forms would be given if the late mailing was an honest mistake, but you won't find one. Of course the intention is to stop payments to as many SS recipients as possible, and they'll be looking for ways to stall benefits to expats and destroy the system. I think it not advisable to just stew about it, so I scanned a copy of last year's form (to preserve the barcode) and blanked out the old signature and date, printed, signed and dated for myself and two friends and sent those yesterday to Wilkes-Barre common mail. In a month I'll email Manilla and ask if it was received and attach a scanned copy of the signed forms. Usually, they will confirm it was received and have previously accepted scanned copies and marked them received w/o further ado. Well, we'll see now. If they haven't gotten recorded by October, rinse and repeat.

I see on web an implant for 29,000 by Granddent, but it doesn't specify the brand. It's probably a Korean brand and the price is for a ceramic or mixed cap and not all zirconia. I had several Osstems at 35,000 9 nears ago but they were 50,000 with zirconia caps. Recently made appointment for Neobiotech implants (Korean like Osstem) zirconia caps 39,000 which I think cannot be beat. I doubt they aren't as good as Osstem which have lasted me nine years without any trouble at all, saved my life. DentalExcellence by LERTS at Sri Phoom corner Chiang Mai, AC is a little cold, bathroom upstairs.

Uh oh. I found a copy of my 7162 for 2024. It was mailed from US June 6 and received in Chiang Mai and mailed back in the envelope June 16. I'm going to use it as a template to make a new one with barcode for 2025 with Photoshop and mail it asap. Yeah, the comment is a good idea, too. I hoped to Google comments from other countries to see if this is a problem outside Thailand but draw a blank except Mexico hasn't gotten them either. The mail to US is also flakey this year for the first time for me since 2005, so it seems best to send it now to avoid cessation of payments in February. I'll email Manilla with an attached scanned PDF in a few weeks to see if it's there. If Manilla doesn't confirm receipt I'll send another one to Wilkes-Barre. There used to be a fax number, too, but I doubt it still works.

Uh oh. I found a copy of my 7162 for 2024. It was mailed from US June 6 and received in Chiang Mai and mailed back in the envelope June 16. I'm going to use it as a template to make one for 2025 and mail it asap. Or I'll fill in a blank if it doesn't look good enough.

Mine came early June every time from 2009-covid. I marked it and plopped it in the mail and never gave it a 2nd thought. I admit to being upset with US politics the last few years and on the paranoid side. I've helped friends who for some reason couldn't get forms or correspond with the US government at all. DOGE has made a mess of SS and that could make them late this year but I don't think they're going to cut off expats. I'll fill in a blank 7162 if I don't get the form by mid July, then if it comes later use the printed envelope and mail it again, NO EMS or registered, then email Manilla in September for confirmation as I've done the last few years. I don't expect any trouble, but if they don't have it by then, I'll send it again, maybe also to Manilla as a PDF scan attached to an email. I believe they can ensure it gets to the right place. All these extra precautions probably add to the current heavy workload, but many of us are on edge and would be badly hurt w/o the checks. I must say Manilla has always been helpful though harder to reach by phone than it used to be. Hopefully, I can avoid the temptation to rile folks as I too often do.

Try a sense of humor.

Personally, I've never had a problem in 20 years, however it does appear that Melon Musk and Agent Orange are doing their best to muck up the system. Most years I got the form by end of June. When a friend did not by end of July, we filled out and mailed in the blank form (don't forget to put in SSN# top right). If the form finally arrives later, use the enclosed SASE and send it again to make sure. Do not use EMS or registered mail, because those may sit forever before getting a signature. In a couple of months email Manilla asking to let you know the status. It may take a couple of weeks to get a reply but usually only a day or two. Most likely, it's recorded as received. You can try calling, but it may be difficult getting through. If you're still unsure come October, fill out and mail yet one more, wait a couple months and query Manilla again. If you're still not recorded, well, the plane crashed or the fascists may have achieved their goal to suck up the taxes you paid for retirement all your working life. Hopefully, you've saved enough to get by.

I buy 19 whole grain bread from Makro once a week. Tastes great.

Very concerned Melon Musk and Agent Orange have made a mess of SS. I usually get the form by now and in 20 years have never had a problem. I'll wait for a week and then fill in and mail a blank form (DO NOT FORGET TO WRITE IN YOUR SS# upper right). If the form comes later, I'll mail that one, too, but I don't think EMS is worth it since it has to be signed and may delay the process. If you can't get through telephone service which is likely now that the fascists are shaking us down then Manilla's email usually works to confirm it has been received. Calls may or may not get through. Email them around September. If you don't get an answer, send in a 2nd or 3rd form. Please let us know if when you get your 7162 in Chiang Mai. Good luck, boys.

This is Chiang Mai. It's always been the same here as general national rules,

I made the trip, hit by truck near the gas station. Lucky, minor damage to knee and Rebel side panel. Traffic insane. I spoke to the same man I see every year for document inspection pre visa extension. He's extremely particular about those same things. He said there is no rule change, same two bank letters as last year and prior years.

Thanks. Turns out he using the fixed orange passbook; however, he uses an agent and it's the agent telling him it's a new rule. I guess I'll have to drive to Immigration and ask for myself if there's a new rule or my two letters will work come January.