This is very sad news. He truly was an incredible help to many people.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends. ✌️❤️????

Ubonjoe will be sorely missed but never forgotten!

1 hour ago, bradiston said:

What about ears? Are they covered? Or is there an audio package? And an oral package? And feet? Hands? It's just ridiculous. I was on Serenity 400k. Joke. And this form is just the latest development. This company is flying by the seat of its pants.

You are absolutely correct. They have super low rates to get you in, but first 6 months won't pay anything.

After that, good luck in trying to get your money or directly paid to hospital.

Never raise rates, so how is this possible when medical costs go up about 20% a year.

If it's too good to be true, it probably is.

Went to Khon Kaen Immigration today for my 90 day report and I was amazed to see the entire staff has been changed including the Captain.

Not one person was there that I saw or used over the last 5 years.

Does anybody know if this new staff is as friendly, nice and helpful as the previous staff, especially for one year extensions?

What is the best way to mail something to the SSA office in Manila?

Airmail only or airmail with a requested proof of delivery?

Also, how long does it normally take for Manila to receive mail from Thailand?

Thank you!

What is the best way to mail something to the SSA office in Manila?

Airmail only or airmail with a requested proof of delivery?

Also, how long does it normally take for Manila to receive mail from Thailand?

Thank you

16 hours ago, ppatrick said:

The items in the package are supplements; vitamins, protein powder, etc. You're right. I used to send them (different kind of supplements) through DHL and they gave the people in Thailand a hard time when picking up. So bad that we had to abandon the package and swear never to use DHL again. I was planning to use USPS as well but just checking here first in case if someone know a better option.

I would just purchase the vitamins and supplements online at iherb.com  

They are very cheap and shipping costs are very low and sometimes free.

17 hours ago, Kenny202 said:

One thing I have noticed if you want to take the plunge and really invest....the most successful places here seem to be the ones with great selfie opportunities, and totally serious about that. Food, price a distant 2nd, 3rd. Forever getting dragged to very ordinary and expensive restaurants with pretty flashing lights and a few selfie opportunities

 

What city are you in?

43 minutes ago, Nino3 said:

You may want to double check the information. If correct, per travel.state.gov, a 17 year old can apply (DS-11) by him/herself with documented parental awareness. If correct, perhaps only his mother can attend if needed.

 

When applying for a child passport then yes both parents need to attend or have a notorized DS-3053 if only one parent is able to attend.

 

 

Thanks, but my son was issued his passport when he was 2 years old and it was never renewed. That is why both parents are required to sign and we must present pictures of him over the years showing how he grew up and this is the same child.

I have been trying to make an appointment with the US Embassy in Bangkok, but I am having issues.

Every time I fill out the form and click submit to make an appointment, the page says-The requested URL was rejected. Please consult with your  administrator. Your support ID # is ...........

I tried my computer on Edge and Chrome and tried my mobile and all the same thing.

What am I doing wrong or how do I fix this?  Thanks

4 hours ago, tamy said:

racyrick

Thank you for MySSA sign up information from 3BB Thailand

 

For non technical retired older people please we ask you

elaborate step by step what is going on during your two

LOGIN sessions... 

 

1st the steps taken to get your USA government internet direct access ID on a DTAC / AIG etc Thailand mobile phone number service March 2023 inside Thailand

 

2nd please explain the equipment and sofware you used

for the instant video to get your USA government ID pass

and what other documents beside a USA passport was required for the video...

 

3rd AFTER ypu received your USA government ID pass what steps did you take to open a new SSA.GOV / MYSSA

internet. Did you already have MySSA from the USA or did

you can you setup from Thailand your MySSA account?

 

4th If you are able to connect from Thailand to MySSA

files in the USA can you please check if you can update

your USA SSA.GOV file for example 7161 dead or alive and

or benefit payment history, etc ? 

 

If you can send capture the  screen and print image to

show what can you do with MySSA.GOV direct internet access from Thailand in order to avoid Manila FBU delays

 

Thank you in advance

 

 

I am an oldie as well with no tech knowledge.

If I can do it, anybody can.

Just follow the steps and it will all be fine.

Just remember, when they ask for a phone number which only will allow US phone numbers, just leave it BLANK and GO to the next step. You will then be told your options.

Never had an my SSA account before.

Online account has no info for forms 7161 and 7162. Only done thru the mail.

The instant video was done thry the camera on my laptop. No special software is needed, just your computer camera and microphone.

Once you get approved, you can access BOTH SSA and IRS by using the ID.me to sign in.

Thank you for all your replies.

Because of my health, I can't walk too much and I will going with my wife and son.

He needs to renew his passport as he only has a child passport and both parents need to go with him and show pictures through the years. He is now 17 years old.

I will check all the above for the best option for us.

Can anyone please recommend a decent hotel at a decent price that is close to the US Embassy in Bangkok?

I also would like a decent breakfast.

Thanks in advance

20 hours ago, tamy said:

We are trying this IDme as an addendum to try and setup

a SSA MY account from outside the USA. Manila FBU in the

past just repeated to sign up for My SSA but never never

understood that My SSA Login required a USA resident address and USA registered phone for SMS coded LOGIN

 

So for the people who can and have the patient ability please report back if this new discovered SSA login web

site can work from 3BB Thailand internet

 

4.  

Social Security Administration and ID.me

ID.me works with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify users requesting information online. ID.me provides secure digital identity verification to government agencies and healthcare providers to make sure you are you—and not someone pretending to be you. This article explains how to verify your identity for SSA.

How to verify

Follow the steps below to verify your identity.

1. Sign in to SSA

To begin the verification process, first sign in to your SSA account:

1. Go to the Social Security login page.
   
2. Select Sign in with ID.me.
3. Select Ok to be redirected to the ID.me Sign in page.

2. Sign in or create an ID.me account

If you have an ID.me account, sign in using your email address and password. Otherwise, create a new ID.me account. 

Note: Do not create more than one ID.me account. For more information, visit Can I have more than one ID.me account?

To create a new ID.me account:

1. Enter your email address and password, then select Create account.
2. Confirm your email address. For more information, visit Confirming your email address.
3. Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) to further protect your account. For more information, visit Getting started with MFA.
   Tip: If you’re setting up MFA for the first time, make sure to save or download your recovery code to ensure you always have access to your ID.me account.
   

3. Verify your identity for SSA

You can use the self-service verification method to verify your identity for the SSA. To verify your identity using self-service:

1. Upload photos of your document. Acceptable documents include driver’s license, state ID, passport, passport card. You may need to upload the front and back of your documents.
2. Take and submit a video selfie.
   Tip: If you're unable to take a video selfie, you’ll have the option to do a quick video call with a trusted referee. For more information, visit Best practices for taking a selfie.
3. Enter your Social Security Number if you are creating a new account.
4. Review and confirm your information.
5. Select Allow and continue to share your identity information with SSA.

If you can’t complete the verification process due to an issue with your documents, you will be routed to verify your identity over a video call. 

After you verify

After you verify your ID.me account, you can log in to your Social Security account by selecting Sign in with ID.me.

About the verification process

ID.me’s next-generation identity platform meets the highest federal standards for online identity proofing and authentication. During the verification process, you will be asked to share your information.

In addition, ID.me has built rigorous security and privacy requirements into our technology. Learn more about ID.me’s Privacy Bill of Rights and how your information is protected.

Manage your ID.me account

After creating your ID.me account, you can also manage your account settings.

Account settings

• Change or add email addresses to your account.
• Reset your password.
• If you can’t access your ID.me account email address, need to reset your password, or see an error message, visit I can't sign in to my account.

Multi-factor authentication

• Learn more about Getting started with multi-factor authentication.
• If you’re having trouble, visit Troubleshooting multi-factor authentication.

 

I did the entire process on my computer here in Thailand and used my Thai phone number and address.

The 6 digit verification code comes to my Thai phone number.

I did not use a VPN or a US Phone number.

If I remember correctly, when it came to fill in the phone number, it only would allow a US number so I just skipped that and went to the next question. I think it was at that point they said I need to be verified online by a video call and I could do it immediately and pressed the button.

Along with all the downloaded forms, on the video call, they asked to see my passport next to my face and clearly read the digital digits at the bottom.

She was not able to call my Thai phone, but no problem, sent info to my email and everything will be ok.

Like I said though, I do get my 6 digit code to log on directly to my Thai phone. The only way they will send the code to a foreign number is by text only.

Good luck

4 hours ago, jeffandgop said:

 

On Dec 4, 2022, my wife applied to initiate her benefits.  The online application was received with a response that the process normally takes "2-4 weeks". The application was assigned to the Manila FBU within 24 hours.

2 weeks go by, then 4 weeks, then 8 weeks, then 10 weeks and not any response or action undertaken by the Manila FBU whatsoever. So we sent them an inquiry using their web portal on Feb 6. Another week goes by and then we get an email scheduling a telephone interview for the following week Feb 16.  At the appointed time on the appointed date she did not receive the expected call.  I tried to call them- this being a Thursday during their "telephone office hours", and no one answered.  I wrote them an email the very same day asking why they haven't called; and later that day they did call and completed the telephone interview.  However, they informed her that her US Passport and Marriage Certificate needed to be sent to the Manila FBU by Mar 16 to complete their processing. So their very next day, Friday Feb 17, we couriered the passport & marriage certificate which arrived at the Embassy on Tuesday Feb 21. We requested that when returning these to give us the courier info and tracking number.

On Wed Mar 1, the Manila FBU sent an email that our docs were "scheduled to be sent back" on Friday Mar 3.  The following week we received nothing- no documents, no tracking info.  I sent an email to the Manila FBU on Mar 10 asking for information on where their courier package was- no acknowledgement.  Again on Mar 13 I sent an email request and on Mar 14 Manila FBU answered "Upon checking, there has been a delay on mailing out of original documents. Your documents are still in our office and will be due for mailing out this week or next."  

"Upon checking" means no one was paying attention to return our documents as "scheduled" for Mar 3, and only our follow ups triggered their action to find that our documents had not been handled as promised. Their advice that our documents "will be due for mailing out this week or next" is not viewed by us as much of a commitment on their part.  I've emailed back that their performance has been unacceptable. The passport is a most critical document that needs to be in the hands of the owner and as soon as the SSA's business purpose was satisfied it should have been returned expeditiously. To wait possible 3 full weeks (or more) for its' return, after they were finished with it, is ridiculous.

So as of today it's been more than 16 weeks since my wife applied for her benefits and she still does not have her Benefits approval.

 

Manila FBU.  Seriously deficient in their performance and meeting their commitments.

 

(And I am still awaiting Manila's FBU answer to my inquiry I sent last December as to whether I was potentially having my benefit suspended even tho I have submitted the Form 7162 twice last year.)

If you received your March SSA payment, then you should be good to go as they said that payments would be suspended starting March this year instead of the usual February if they did not receive your 7162 form.

23 hours ago, KhunLA said:

From TH ?

 

If so, things have improved greatly.

 

 

Yes, everything was done on my laptop from here in Thailand.

23 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Means impossible for me, and every attempt to even sign up failed, and as stated, calling was always 20min hold then disconx.   So I don't bother any more. 

 

Don't need them anyway, though doing things online, if needed, would be convenient, if convenient to register/sign up.

Understand, but just to be clear, I did the entire process online direct with ID.me. I did not make any calls and the SSA was not involved.

I just went to the SSA website and hit the ID.me button and then hit sign up.

22 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Literally impossible to sign up / register on the SS online site from overseas ... I've tried numerous times.

KhunLa and Sheryl, 

It can be done with a Thai address and phone number. I did it last year. It was cumbersome and you have to have a live interview, but I was approved on the spot.

This is with ID.Me and the codes sent by them come to my Thai phone when I want to access my account.

I know that Bangkok Bank had some issues today, so maybe that is why you didn't get it today.

17 hours ago, ricklev said:

Thanks.  Looks like my bank only accepts in person SWIFT transfers.  Doh!  I guess I will try Wise.  

You can send from your bank in the USA to the Bangkok Bank New York by simply making a DOMESTIC transfer.

This has nothing to do with SWIFT. It is a domestic transfer like transferring to any other USA bank.

The USA does not use a SWIFT code.

3 hours ago, jcmj said:

Go with Aetna as said above. Have had them for 20 years through all the buyouts they still have the same service and payout pretty quickly. Get the Thai policy not international. Much more expensive. They have an office on the left side just after the Pattaya Nua and Sukhumvit road intersection about 200 meters down towards the hospital on the left. 

Do they have a cashless system and pay direct to the hospital instead of having to pay first and make a claim to get back your money?

The problem is that you really don't know how good a company is until you try and get an approval or get your money back that you spent in the hospital.

Usually, Thai companies have small coverage amounts and try to say everything was a pre condition.

Foreign companies have great coverage, but very expensive premiums.

I would look at Pacific Cross and Luma Health. Also, be aware of premiums from some companies that look too good to be true. Good luck

2 hours ago, khwaibah said:

I just received an email from SSA in Manila that said they had not received my form. I sent on November 7 and it was received on November 14. I sent my in 1040 form to Austin TX and my 1 year report to 

Stegmeier Federal Building

 

 

Address: 7 Wilkes-Barre Blvd, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, United States

Just curious, did you contact Manila to see if your form was received and scanned? What did they tell you to do now? Did they say if your benefits are being suspended?

16 hours ago, John Drake said:

One thing to do, perhaps, is to login on my social security, if you have an account. The first page about half way down will indicate whether your account is active or not in green letters. At least I assume this will tell you that. I've never had my SS stopped and it says it is active now. I hope that at least might indicate whether your from was scanned and submitted.

Good advice. I checked my online account and it shows green color and Active. It also says next payment due February 03. Stress gone!! PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you think that makes no sense, they ask me every time for my passport when I am making a credit card payment!! What the hell?????? Thailand!!!!!!

1 hour ago, poobear said:

 

I was able to get right through to a live person for free on skype. I can change my own details on the SS website but for my sons benefits I have to call and get a person. I may have looked up the best time to call but whenever i did it couldn't have been easier BUT since I moved again I will have to do the process all over again. Well see...

Are you the representative for your son's benefits?

Also, did you get form 7161 this year from the SSA?

Thanks