US Social Security

[Jingthing]

44 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

I think it was in this YouTube video by a former SSA manager that stated you are allowed to have two addresses on your SSA record.  One for residence and one as a mailing address.  That was news to me.  I have no idea if that YouTuber is accurate.  I don't really care for his content that much and his presentation is mediocre at best.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WemXdHIcSsA

 

That is the wrong link....it's in this video by the same guy:

https://www.youtube.com/live/9h6VptUea90?si=nvAXEiZcf6i7-8gS

 

The key issue is whether you're telling SS that you live abroad or not. If you live abroad and you dont report that which is required to do you won't need to do the proof of life form. You  could also sign up for zip code based Medicare Advantage which can be used for emergency Medicare care abroad. Based on fraud. I would be shocked it Doge doesn't get to this issue. It's perfect for them. Being an expat isn't maga.

[Patong2021]

4 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

And yet the fraudulent and improper spending continued.

 

It was mostly Medicare and Medicaid  fraud. Taxpayers are losing more than $100 billion a year to Medicare and Medicaid fraud, according to estimates from the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association.  It comes from companies who  invoice for undelivered goods and services, physicians charging  for nonexistant services, patients scamming the system for drugs which are resold for profit, pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors  overcharging, and hospital systems over charging.

 

It was a fraud that was a direct result of neglect. The Inspector General was only allowed 450 inspectors to oversee $1.6+ Trillion in spending on 150 million beneficiaries. There were an inadequate number of inspectors. People convicted of fraud rarely went to jail and the crimes were rife with repeat offenders.

 

The solution from Doge was to fire the inspector general and to lay off  inspectors. How then do they intend to stop the fraud?

[scorecard]

On 3/23/2025 at 3:45 AM, kokesaat said:

FFT:  Back when I still lived in Thailand and became eligible for SSA, I was able to apply by phone through the US Embassy in Manila.  According to what I've read recently, the government is taking steps to make initial applying only in person.  Don't know if this will affect any of the younger expats living in Thailand, but it might be a thing to watch out for.

 

Similar for Australians,  you have to be physically in Australia on the day you apply (proven instantly by online 24/7 access to passport arrivals/departures data) but application can be lodge by mail.

 

also:

1). Applicant has to initially visit an office of that gov't agency to obtain a CRN (Client Reference Number).

2). Applicant has to personally visit the same agency office and officially prove their identity. 

[Hawaiian]

7 hours ago, riclag said:

Uh huh!

Rep Gary Palmer  went further to say its been goin on for decades!

He highlighted antiquated systems as a big issue!

Isn't SSA committing fraud by purposely making it difficult, and in some cases impossible, to apply for benefits?  This obstruction hasn't been around for decades.

Why replace antiquated systems with something that screws recipients?

[Jingthing]

4 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

Isn't SSA committing fraud by purposely making it difficult, and in some cases impossible, to apply for benefits?  This obstruction hasn't been around for decades.

Why replace antiquated systems with something that screws recipients?

Because the doge goal is to save money to be used for tax cuts for oligarchs. Not serving the public.

[Hawaiian]

52 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Because the doge goal is to save money to be used for tax cuts for oligarchs. Not serving the public.

If this administration was serious about reducing the national debt they would be closing all the loopholes in the tax code.  It is a fallacy that tax cuts lead to increased revenues.