Really big and good news about Social Security Form SSA-7162 (proof of life) filing

[Jingthing]

Fellow Americans -- red, blue and purple -- I've got a real scoop.

It is insider information from a social security employee. who has actual experience with this new filing option.

I don't know if it's been widely published yet.

But here goes.

If you're a social security benefits recipient and you have a NON-U.S. address on record with S.S., as you know you must file a SSA-7162 form annually to avoid benefits cutoff.

If you have a U.S. address on record, this topic does not concern you.

This has meant the only option was receiving the physical form in the mail and sending it back.

No online option.

The forms are sent two times a year, but the second time only if they didn't get the first time form back. 

If they haven't received your form for the previous year, then they cut off your benefits starting February.

Then you've got the hassle of trying to fix that.

Well Social Security understanding the unreliability of many mail systems internationally has a new and easy way to resolve this.

CALL social security and they will ask you the same questions on the form, and file the form even without the physical document or signature.

As far as I know, this definitely will work IF you've been cut off in February.

However, what if you never got the second mailing and you don't want to wait until being cut off?

I'm pretty sure it will work in that scenario as well.

I do suggest filing your forms as you have been IF you are getting them in the mail.

However, if you don't get the second expected form, by all means DO call Social Security before cut off date.

Social security is calling this new PHONE option attestation which is probably mostly about doing the signature over the phone rather than physically.

I am confident this information is accurate for now.

I can't predict the future as to whether this new option will be taken away (or even improved with online filing for all) given the state of rapid destruction and radical change in all federal government agencies.

I also think it's fair to assume it's going to become even harder to reach an agent if you do need to call them (fewer staff). 

 

 

 

 

[gamb00ler]

Somewhat related to this topic....

 

Today I came across an SSA.gov page where you can request a call back from them instead of waiting on hold.  Since moving to Thailand 4+ years ago I probably spent 24 hours in total on hold to reach someone on the SSA 800#.

 

https://secure.ssa.gov/cet/contact-us-ui/#/call-back

 

I just tried it about 3 minutes after it's supposed to open (8AM in DC) but so far I can't request a call back.

 

I tried again and made progress... but it still says call back is not available but on a different screen.

 

Hurry and take advantage before Trump/Musk find out about it and cancel it because it may allow you to get your money from SSA faster.

[Jingthing]

I do have concerns.

The new service I discussed is a way that more people will be able to avoid cut offs or restore them if cut off.

That seems contrary to the interests of this current new government.

I also wonder whether there might be a negative bias towards expats spending their U.S. benefits abroad.

I know some will call me paranoid but if you look at some of their radical actions in the last three weeks, I really don't think so. I'm not predicting anything. Just feeling concern. 

[bunnydrops]

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I do have concerns.

The new service I discussed is a way that more people will be able to avoid cut offs or restore them if cut off.

That seems contrary to the interests of this current new government.

I also wonder whether there might be a negative bias towards expats spending their U.S. benefits abroad.

I know some will call me paranoid but if you look at some of their radical actions in the last three weeks, I really don't think so. I'm not predicting anything. Just feeling concern. 

I have also considered that. With all this cost-cutting, why send money to people to spend in another country? A red-blooded American wouldn't want to live anywhere else.😞 Also an easy target. Not many back in the States would really care.

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

I have also considered that. With all this cost-cutting, why send money to people to spend in another country? A red-blooded American wouldn't want to live anywhere else.😞 Also an easy target. Not many back in the States would really care.

They woudn't even have to change any policy on paper. Just give even crappier service (it's already bad) to certain types of people. 

[gamb00ler]

20 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

They woudn't even have to change any policy on paper. Just give even crappier service (it's already bad) to certain types of people. 

I already feel like I've been the test case for that strategy.  SSA response time on a total of 4 applications for benefits (2 each for both the wife and I) has been dreadful.  They made a mistake on 3 of the 4.  They have corrected 1 of the mistakes but haven't as yet implemented all the benefit changes resulting from the correction.

 

President Biden signed a bill on Jan. 5 that will eliminate a penalty on my benefits.  It's retroactive to Jan. 2024 but I'm sure I won't see the money until 2026 or later.