racyrick

4 hours ago, flexomike said:

I just logged in this morning no issues

 

Nice to hear. Did you use a VPN?

2 hours ago, buick said:

i use wells fargo.  they do SWIFT transfers to thailand.  i can't remember the fee, $35 or $45.  i send in USD and have the thai bank convert it to THB.  that seems to be the better option on the FX rate.

 

but not great if you are doing monthly transfers.  i generally do one large transfer per year so the fee isn't a big deal.  but i wouldn't want to pay that 12 times/year.

Can you log into your account from Thailand?

I heard that starting this week, you can no longer access your online account from outside the US.

4 hours ago, john thom said:

I use my friends address

I heard though, even if you have a US address on file that starting this week, you can no longer access your online account from outside the US. Is that true?

16 hours ago, Slosheroni said:

My bank Wells Fargo will not do transfers to Thailand 

I also heard that starting this week you can no longer do any online banking from outside the US and you can no longer log in to your online account from outside the US-True??

7 hours ago, Pib said:

The wife and I got emails today/21 Nov from the SSA notifying us that the our 2023 Cost of Living Adjustment Notice/Letter was available in our SSA online account inbox.   Sure enough....we logged on and downloaded our COLA notices.  An 8.7% increase and Part B insurance premium dropping from $170.10 to $164.90. 

 

So, I expect those who receive their COLA notice only by snail mail should see it arrive in your mailbox over the next 2-4 weeks.  I know for me, SSA snail mail to my Bangkok residence usually takes around 2 weeks.

Also got the email today and logged in to make a copy so I can use this for Immigration in case my notices get lost in the mail.

12 hours ago, cusanus said:

Ok, got through finally using Google voice and VPN server in New York, 800-772-1213. Guy was very helpful, confirmed that my form was logged June 29. Must assume my friend's was, too, though w/o barcode since they don't send her mail. Apparently no way to fix that problem since nobody knows why. Oh, yeah, Magic Jack works, too, as long as connected VPN server in New York. The guy told me he was in the Wilkes-Barre building at the time, that there are boxes of thousands of 7162 forms waiting to be processed. 

I can sure feel your frustration, but I'm glad you got it all sorted out.

Thanks for your posts as it helps all of us.

1 hour ago, cusanus said:

Bad news. I sent  filled out 7162 forms to three places meant to handle them in June, then got the first mailer early July, sent that in with the return mailer, then called the number and was told it had been received. Now I get the second one today which indicates it wasn't received. VERY UNHAPPY!

Sorry to hear of your troubles. This whole SSA is soooo screwed up and inefficient!

Unfortunately, some of us will probably have our benefits suspended in February and will have to go thru hell to try and get them back. Very unsettling especially when this is the only income for some of us.

I wish everyone the best and if anybody ever finds the magic pill to make everything ok, please let us know.

Just received my second request form today after not receiving the first one.

I too just got my second request after not receiving the first one.

6 hours ago, Migz said:

I never got the first notice of the Form 7162 (which was probably lost in the mail), so I was hoping to receive a second notice.  Unfortunately, I still haven't gotten it.  HAS ANYONE RECEIVED A SECOND NOTICE?

I am in exactly the same situation as you. Never received first or second mailing, but it looks like someone just received the second notice today. His comment is above.

Well, it's now November 14th and not a single report that anyone has received a second form 7161 or 7162.

Very weird. I wonder if SSA has changed their procedure for this year. Of course, no updated info from SSA.

4 hours ago, TwentyBaht said:

I also did not receive the 7762 questionaire this year.  And, emailed the Manila SSA Office three days ago and yesterday received the same email response as walt1.  I use my Thai address with SSA.  And, except for the Covid pause have always received the 7762 questionaire in June of each year since starting benefits thirteen years ago.

 

So, I'll wait and see if my benefits continue next year before contacting Manila SSA again.    

Same as you. Did not receive this year after always receiving them in previous years.

Horrible way to have to deal with this issue. No clarity from SSA stateside or Manila and have to wait to see if your benefits are suspended to see if you were the chosen one not to receive this year.

With almost all people saying their forms were not delivered until October, you would think that almost everybody would receive the second mailing.

As of now, not a post of anyone receiving the second mailing.

I never received the first mailing of both forms 7161 and 7162.

50 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Well mine got stuck in transit ages ago. If they had picked it up in time and recorded it, I would have made the first mailing report. But at this point I'm pretty sure it will never show up as delivered.

 

So accepting that, at this point, would now be an OK time to call them and ask if it was recorded or not?

Is there ever a good time to call the SSA or any US government agency?

The call will only be as good as the agent who handles your call.

Please let us know what they said. Thanks!  PS- I never got the first mailing of the 7161 or 7162 forms. Still waiting on the second mailing.

1 hour ago, cusanus said:

Office representative of :

Social Security Administration
Office of Earnings & International Operations

Telephone number: 410-965-0160

-------------------------------

Acknowledgment confirmed for me. Less trouble than tracking IMHO. 

Thanks so much!!!!

3 hours ago, cusanus said:

Why not call the special number to find out if it's been acknowledged? I provided the number a couple of weeks ago. Who wants me to dig it up again?

Yes, please dig up the special phone number. Thanks!!

6 hours ago, djeetyet said:

FAX'ed my 7162 and the 7161 for my dependent last Friday. Confirmed FAX rec'd via FaxZero. Is that much different than EMS confirmation? If SS loses it, or doesn't enter it, still have to resend....

With the SSA, you never know.

Did you already mail your forms to Wilkes Barre and just faxed for security?

 I ask because most people got their forms in July and I would assume you would have already sent them back.

16 hours ago, Pib said:

That response would make me feel very uneasy because some countries are on a biennial (every 2 years) schedule and some every year---Thailand is on the every year schedule per SSA regulation.

https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0302655005

 

But if it was me and didn't get a form from the first mailing in late June or the second mailing to occur in September (a person should receive before the end of October I would manually fill-out a 7162 and scan/email to Manila AND also mail it to Wilkes Barre via Regular Airmail which costs Bt49. 

 

Both the wife and I got 7162's this year here in Thailand....received in early-mid July.   Going with Registered Airmail which costs Bt325 does not make it arrive any faster and in fact may slow delivery somewhat (or a LOT) since Registered Airmail must travel by more secure means/undergo tracking scans which can slow things down in comparison to un-registered/regular mail.  And so far this thread has shown that using Registered Airmail will result in arrival at Wilkes Barre within about two weeks OR end up in MIA/In Transit status at some point of it's trek.  A throw of the dice when it comes to registered mail tracking from Thailand to the U.S. with the tracking problem being on the U.S. end.

 

 

Exactly, I felt the same way.

I still don't know why nobody has faxed the form to the SSA when they said you can and gave the number in their press release. I would fax, send to Wilkes Barr and scan and email to Manila to cover all bases.

I don't trust anything and sure don't want my benefits to be suspended and go thru hoops to get it back.

Everybody keeps talking about their tracking issues.

Why hasn't anyone faxed their form to SSA like they said in the press release?

I noticed on the SSA press release when they announced they were going to start mailing the 7161 and 7162 forms again that they listed a fax number you can use to send the forms.

Did anybody fax their form to SSA?

I did not receive either form 7162 or 7161 I get for my son and I live in Khon Kaen.

I see many people did get their forms.

I am curious, did anybody else not receive their forms or am I the only one?

Thanks

19 hours ago, recom273 said:

15 Mins and free

 

You need a request from DLT to provide a certificate of residence, so you need to apply for the license first.

 

I used a little clinic by the big comprehensive school on Lao na dee road, the 50B certificate was 100B, he put a stethoscope on my chest for 10 seconds and signed it.

thanks, already went to DLT and also got my health certificate. One last question, did Immigration ask for a copy of the ID and/or Tabian Baan of the owner of the house? Did they ask for a lease? I was hoping all I need is my TM30. Thanks again.

How long does it take at Khon Kaen Immigration to get a certificate of residence for a driver's license renewal?

Also, does anybody know of a clinic near Mittraphap and Maliwan Road where I can get a health certificate as well?

Thank you

4 hours ago, djeetyet said:

OP here. I received my Form 7162 a few weeks ago but I have not received Form 7161, for my dependent. Has anyone received their 7161 yet?

 

I'm thinking if it does not arrive by mid-month I will download the form and fill it in myself and send it together with my 7162.

As i posted above, I have not received either 7161 or 7162 as of today. I live in Khon Kaen.