In person visit to SS office necessary in April

[Rumpelstilskin]

From what I have read, US social security recipients MUST report to a SS office in April or risk loosing their benefits.  Thailand is supported by the SS office in Manila Phillipines.  They support Americans in 43 countries. Appointments are available through mail only.

[bamnutsak]

15 minutes ago, Rumpelstilskin said:

From what I have read

 

Can you share what you've read?

 

 

[Jingthing]

OP is suggesting everyone in Thailand on SS will need to do that.

That is definitely misinformation.

Some people will probably need to do that such as new claims, audits, etc.

[hotsun]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

OP is suggesting everyone in Thailand on SS will need to do that.

That is definitely disinformation.

Some people will probably need to do that such as new claims, audits, etc.

Leftist disinformation, no doubt

[Jingthing]

Just now, hotsun said:

Leftist disinfirmation, no doubt

Nothing to do with left or right.

[bamnutsak]

Social Security Updates Recently Announced Identity Proofing Requirements

 

March 26, 2025

 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits for millions of Americans against fraudulent activity. In-person identity proofing for people unable to use their personal my Social Security account for certain services will be effective April 14, 2025.

 

Under the updated policy beginning April 14, 2025, individuals applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who cannot use a personal my Social Security account can complete their claim entirely over the telephone without the need to come into an office.

 

https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-updates-recently-announced-identity-proofing-requirements/

 

 

 

No clue what this means re: annual 7162 form going forward. Hopefully, it remains an option.

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

Social Security Updates Recently Announced Identity Proofing Requirements

 

March 26, 2025

 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its services by implementing stronger identity verification procedures. The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits for millions of Americans against fraudulent activity. In-person identity proofing for people unable to use their personal my Social Security account for certain services will be effective April 14, 2025.

 

Under the updated policy beginning April 14, 2025, individuals applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who cannot use a personal my Social Security account can complete their claim entirely over the telephone without the need to come into an office.

 

https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-updates-recently-announced-identity-proofing-requirements/

 

 

 

No clue what this means re: annual 7162 form going forward. Hopefully, it remains an option.

I would be concerned about 7162 because slow walking that would be a great way for them to cut off expats and under this new regime there is little doubt reinstating benefits is going to become harder and take longer.

I had reported before that SS had adjusted their policy to allow people to reinstate cut off benefits because of 7162 not being received over the phone. There is no way that positive change will stand.

Making things harder and slower is obviously not about fraud. That's the cover. It's about screwing people that are due benefits. Save more money for the oligarch's tax cuts.

[bendejo]

Social Security backs off plan to cut phone services for disabled people

 

Is the headline of an article at washingtonpost.com just published about an hour ago.  I can't access the entire thing because I don't subscribe.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/26/social-security-cuts-phone-elderly-disabled/

 

[SiSePuede419]

2 hours ago, Rumpelstilskin said:

From what I have read, US social security recipients MUST report to a SS office in April or risk loosing their benefits

Thank goodness it's not a US Post Office.

 

Dejoy has set the timer on the bomb 💣

 

And he's getting out of there quick.

 

Skedaddle! 😲

 

Head of the Post Office Resigns, as DOGE Seeks to Downsize It

[bamnutsak]

Correcting the Record about Social Security Office Closings  

 

Recent reports in the media that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is permanently closing local field offices are false. Since January 1, 2025, the agency has not permanently closed or announced the permanent closure of any local field office. 

 

 

https://blog.ssa.gov/correcting-the-record-about-social-security-office-closings/

[Jingthing]

The story behind the story:

https://youtu.be/5Zqlo2a95-Q

[keemapoot]

On 3/27/2025 at 10:59 AM, Jingthing said:

OP is suggesting everyone in Thailand on SS will need to do that.

That is definitely misinformation.

Some people will probably need to do that such as new claims, audits, etc.

This only applies to new claimants for now. However, the bigger concern for expats in Thailand is that indeed the Philippines office may be targeted for closure or have severe staffing reductions by this Doge gang. Doge and the administration does not give a crap about expats, and in fact, shows disdain for them as these and other actions on immigration show.

 

For that reason, I'm not sure it's a sustainable long-term plan to maintain a foreign Thailand address only, because if they tighten the screws further, obtaining the ID.ME and other authentication methods might become increasingly difficult or impossible going forward without a full US address and phone number, etc..

 

However, even that issue has now become more difficult for nomads and expats. The USPS has a new requirement that all users of private post office box centers must provide evidence of an actual permanent address in the US, so things seem to be getting more difficult for US expats year-by-year.

[sqwakvfr]

27 minutes ago, keemapoot said:

This only applies to new claimants for now. However, the bigger concern for expats in Thailand is that indeed the Philippines office may be targeted for closure or have severe staffing reductions by this Doge gang. Doge and the administration does not give a crap about expats, and in fact, shows disdain for them as these and other actions on immigration show.

 

For that reason, I'm not sure it's a sustainable long-term plan to maintain a foreign Thailand address only, because if they tighten the screws further, obtaining the ID.ME and other authentication methods might become increasingly difficult or impossible going forward without a full US address and phone number, etc..

 

However, even that issue has now become more difficult for nomads and expats. The USPS has a new requirement that all users of private post office box centers must provide evidence of an actual permanent address in the US, so things seem to be getting more difficult for US expats year-by-year.

SS benefits can be deoposited into foreign bank accounts.  Could this be the next move for the Tesla Guy and DOGE? This could force many overseas Americans to make a big change?  My CA state retirement pay can only be deposited into a US bank account.  I know some CA retirees who liive overseas and they actually have a check mailed to them from Sacramento, CA.  Sometimes the check can "be in the mail for a long time".  

[keemapoot]

5 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

SS benefits can be deoposited into foreign bank accounts.  Could this be the next move for the Tesla Guy and DOGE? This could force many overseas Americans to make a big change?  My CA state retirement pay can only be deposited into a US bank account.  I know some CA retirees who liive overseas and they actually have a check mailed to them from Sacramento, CA.  Sometimes the check can "be in the mail for a long time".  

Yes, no problem with SS benefits being deposited into foreign banks for now. And, this may not change. However, the bigger issue is getting service when something goes wrong with that deposit. For now, expats in Thailand with Thai addresses have to contact Manila, and perhaps eventually will need to travel there in person for issues.  If Doge closes the office or makes it untenable to get servicing, many expats will be forced to travel to the US to a local service office (thought those are rapidly being reduced too), perhaps, and even that may be problematical without a US address in that SS service center's jurisdiction - you will not be able to schedule this unless it is in your assign area based on your address. So, this could be the start of a squeeze on US expats.

 

The larger looming issue here of course is that all of this crap by Doge and Trump is part of a plan to discredit the agency, thereby setting up a situation of claiming the agency does not work and needs to be privatized, with Doge raiding the trust fund for other purposes likely.

[sqwakvfr]

20 minutes ago, keemapoot said:

Yes, no problem with SS benefits being deposited into foreign banks for now. And, this may not change. However, the bigger issue is getting service when something goes wrong with that deposit. For now, expats in Thailand with Thai addresses have to contact Manila, and perhaps eventually will need to travel there in person for issues.  If Doge closes the office or makes it untenable to get servicing, many expats will be forced to travel to the US to a local service office (thought those are rapidly being reduced too), perhaps, and even that may be problematical without a US address in that SS service center's jurisdiction - you will not be able to schedule this unless it is in your assign area based on your address. So, this could be the start of a squeeze on US expats.

 

The larger looming issue here of course is that all of this crap by Doge and Trump is part of a plan to discredit the agency, thereby setting up a situation of claiming the agency does not work and needs to be privatized, with Doge raiding the trust fund for other purposes likely.

I think actually getting rid of the SSA would take more than one POTUS term.  More likely the actual purpose could be to have fewer people receiving benefits or reduced benefits across all lines of SSA (SS retirment, SSDI and SS survirvors).  Somethiing like this can be done in under 4 years.  I believe most pension plans in the US and possibly in the world fear people living longer and more people collecting benefits for more years than they had planned for.  Even my CA state pension agency did a lame attempt at "are you still living" letter initiative for those who are over 100 and living overseas. It was a lame attempt because they sent my letter which required a notairzed response to  an old address in Southern California even though they had my address in Chiang Mai.  It took three loud and angry phone calls to Sacramento CA to undo their lame attempt to cut me off.  Dealing wtih SSA over the phone of course will be more challgenging and getting more challenging as each day passes. I expect things get even more turbulent.

[jas007]

1 hour ago, keemapoot said:

This only applies to new claimants for now. However, the bigger concern for expats in Thailand is that indeed the Philippines office may be targeted for closure or have severe staffing reductions by this Doge gang. Doge and the administration does not give a crap about expats, and in fact, shows disdain for them as these and other actions on immigration show.

 

For that reason, I'm not sure it's a sustainable long-term plan to maintain a foreign Thailand address only, because if they tighten the screws further, obtaining the ID.ME and other authentication methods might become increasingly difficult or impossible going forward without a full US address and phone number, etc..

 

However, even that issue has now become more difficult for nomads and expats. The USPS has a new requirement that all users of private post office box centers must provide evidence of an actual permanent address in the US, so things seem to be getting more difficult for US expats year-by-year.

Any expat needing a US address that would be sufficient as a real US address would look into South Dakota.  Maybe it's still possible to set something up there. The residency requirements are minimal. 

 

I remember reading about this when I was thinking about living in Mexico and registering a car in the USA. Long story.  Anyway, it used to be possible to obtain a South Dakota Driver's license and have a South Dakota address and residency, after spending only one night in the State of South Dakota.  It's sort of a cottage industry there, catering to digital nomads.  Some people make money and the State of South Dakota collects fees for licenses and whatnot.

 

 

[keemapoot]

1 hour ago, jas007 said:

Any expat needing a US address that would be sufficient as a real US address would look into South Dakota.  Maybe it's still possible to set something up there. The residency requirements are minimal. 

 

I remember reading about this when I was thinking about living in Mexico and registering a car in the USA. Long story.  Anyway, it used to be possible to obtain a South Dakota Driver's license and have a South Dakota address and residency, after spending only one night in the State of South Dakota.  It's sort of a cottage industry there, catering to digital nomads.  Some people make money and the State of South Dakota collects fees for licenses and whatnot.

 

 

Yeah, South Dakota is almost the last resort now, as Nevada, Florida and others have become unattractive. However, the S. Dakota legislature is discussing closing this loophole too, so unknown how long this option will last.

[jas007]

3 minutes ago, keemapoot said:

Yeah, South Dakota is almost the last resort now, as Nevada, Florida and others have become unattractive. However, the S. Dakota legislature is discussing closing this loophole too, so unknown how long this option will last.

I haven't kept up. What's unattractive about Nevada and Florida?  No state income tax in either state, so that's a plus. 

[keemapoot]

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

I think actually getting rid of the SSA would take more than one POTUS term.  More likely the actual purpose could be to have fewer people receiving benefits or reduced benefits across all lines of SSA (SS retirment, SSDI and SS survirvors).  Somethiing like this can be done in under 4 years.  I believe most pension plans in the US and possibly in the world fear people living longer and more people collecting benefits for more years than they had planned for.  Even my CA state pension agency did a lame attempt at "are you still living" letter initiative for those who are over 100 and living overseas. It was a lame attempt because they sent my letter which required a notairzed response to  an old address in Southern California even though they had my address in Chiang Mai.  It took three loud and angry phone calls to Sacramento CA to undo their lame attempt to cut me off.  Dealing wtih SSA over the phone of course will be more challgenging and getting more challenging as each day passes. I expect things get even more turbulent.

Yeah, possibly, though likely the Trump administration will try to bully Congress this term to get this done as he has them mostly afraid already. The SS trust fund has almost $3 trillion that Trump is salivating to get. He and Musk think that by busting social security so that it won't work at all, that the populace will support the privatization effort for efficiency reasons, in the process robbing this trust fund. That trust fund is due to be depleted by 2035 anyway which will result in a permanent 20% or so haircut to everyone's benefits. The social security system can support itself and pay all beneficiaries forever mostly at this reduced 80% rate. I think Musk and Trump will try to sell the republicans in Congress on the plan that they can privatize, get better returns with higher risk investments, rob and divert the trust fund, and leave everyone holding the bag later.

[keemapoot]

2 minutes ago, jas007 said:

I haven't kept up. What's unattractive about Nevada and Florida?  No state income tax in either state, so that's a plus. 

Yeah, they're still attractive from the no state income tax perspective, but unusable for nomads or expats with a post mail box service because they require 30 days residency per year in Nevada's case and I think also in Florida. So for foreign expats, having to deal with this is unattractive.

[sqwakvfr]

2 hours ago, keemapoot said:

Yeah, possibly, though likely the Trump administration will try to bully Congress this term to get this done as he has them mostly afraid already. The SS trust fund has almost $3 trillion that Trump is salivating to get. He and Musk think that by busting social security so that it won't work at all, that the populace will support the privatization effort for efficiency reasons, in the process robbing this trust fund. That trust fund is due to be depleted by 2035 anyway which will result in a permanent 20% or so haircut to everyone's benefits. The social security system can support itself and pay all beneficiaries forever mostly at this reduced 80% rate. I think Musk and Trump will try to sell the republicans in Congress on the plan that they can privatize, get better returns with higher risk investments, rob and divert the trust fund, and leave everyone holding the bag later.

A sincere attempt to save SS would require a combination of raising FICA contribution rates, raising the retirement ages from 62 to 64 and 67 to 69, reduced benefits for new applicants and placing SSDI in a different type of fund.  But none of his is happening under the Tesla Guy or DOGE. 

[exant]

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6370654580112