August 31, 2025Aug 31 13 minutes ago, Pib said: Yeap....that's the way I read it. It's like the SSA interviewer who conducts/documents the interview in the SSA system then must also send an eform to Wilkes Barre where Wilkes Barre needs to do something with it...like maybe mark you off the list of people not responding to the 7162 mailing. And then if Wilkes Barre does not get the eform/does mark you off their list then you could still end up being put on their "did not respond" list in January which the SSA International Ops Office is suppose to review before actually suspending payment. The international office is suppose to check their system to see if maybe the person responded a different way like via proxy signature, etc. It's barely an improvement, if at all. First SSA has to mail your annual form to your overseas address and then you have to receive it to just start thinking of trying to call your SSA FBU or mainland. Then wherever you do try to call to does the office answer the call in a timely manner; and do they have the resources and the will to complete this attestation process? Still too many points of potential failure in this process.
August 31, 2025Aug 31 6 hours ago, Robert Tyrrell said: SSA SOUTHEAST ASIA MANILA PHILIPPINES, Stated they just sent them out they were late sending. Also there encouraging people in Southeast Asia to send them to them instead of to America 🇺🇸 Because of the Trump whacked Tarriffs !! To assure there recived and recorded without delays or added shipping cost. That's good information, thanks. Where did you hear that the FBU in Manila prefers we send our forms to them instead of to Wilkes-Barre? Although, now it seems like we don't need to send a form at all, just call.
August 31, 2025Aug 31 Popular Post 14 hours ago, jeffandgop said: Then wherever you do try to call to does the office answer the call in a timely manner; and do they have the resources and the will to complete this attestation process? In other words. rather than making a small modification to the My Social Security page to allow online reporting or uploading of signed forms, the plan is to hire a ****ton of people to field phone calls. Thanks, Elon.
August 31, 2025Aug 31 10 hours ago, Galong said: That's good information, thanks. Where did you hear that the FBU in Manila prefers we send our forms to them instead of to Wilkes-Barre? Although, now it seems like we don't need to send a form at all, just call. Someone posted the US Embassy memo about Manila and I was told by the Post Office in another town yes you can.
September 1, 2025Sep 1 7 hours ago, retiree said: In other words. rather than making a small modification to the My Social Security page to allow online reporting or uploading of signed forms, the plan is to hire a ****ton of people to field phone calls. Thanks, Elon. Exactly! Furthermore, we've gone through all of the trouble of signing up for ID.me or Login.gov for video confirmation of our existence. Republicans are always banging on about privatizing SS. Let us go through ID.me or Login.gov for verification of life. Then, have the private companies somehow (without actual access to our personal My Soc Sec page) update our 'Proof of Life'. I don't know if this is feasible, but it's no dumber than what they've got going on.
September 1, 2025Sep 1 On 8/31/2025 at 7:26 AM, cusanus said: Looks awfully complicated and may not work after eight minutes, but if anyone has an hour to watch the whole thing, please give your opinion. I don't dare call Manila at this time and just get dumped but In a week will call the 1213 number in the states and ask again if my form has been processed a month after being sent. If not I'll try this guy's phone number idea and see if it works. THANKS for the tip because it just might be what we need. Yes, and you better have both your form and the new policy manual link with you when you call. Even the video says that when you contact SSA they probably will not know what you're talking about and you will need to provide the link to the policy change. And it sounds better just to call the 1-800 number in the US than hope to get through to Manila. The reply to my last email to them ten days ago didn't even address the issue I asked about. They need to extend the number of workers and the hours they work in Manila, especially as they are about to be deluged with phone calls for this new change.
September 1, 2025Sep 1 14 hours ago, retiree said: In other words. rather than making a small modification to the My Social Security page to allow online reporting or uploading of signed forms, the plan is to hire a ****ton of people to field phone calls. Thanks, Elon. Especially after the lengthy (on the phone for an hour waiting for the interview) and cumbersome collection and display of documents for ID.ME. Those of us outside the US must fulfill the same verification process as those within the US, but we aren't allowed to upload our documents as are the people in the US.
September 1, 2025Sep 1 7 hours ago, Galong said: Exactly! Furthermore, we've gone through all of the trouble of signing up for ID.me or Login.gov for video confirmation of our existence. Republicans are always banging on about privatizing SS. Let us go through ID.me or Login.gov for verification of life. Then, have the private companies somehow (without actual access to our personal My Soc Sec page) update our 'Proof of Life'. I don't know if this is feasible, but it's no dumber than what they've got going on. Precisely what should be done. What idiot was clueless enough to downvote your post?
September 1, 2025Sep 1 15 minutes ago, John Drake said: Yes, and you better have both your form and the new policy manual link with you when you call. Even the video says that when you contact SSA they probably will not know what you're talking about and you will need to provide the link to the policy change. And it sounds better just to call the 1-800 number in the US than hope to get through to Manila. The reply to my last email to them ten days ago didn't even address the issue I asked about. They need to extend the number of workers and the hours they work in Manila, especially as they are about to be deluged with phone calls for this new change. The reply from Manila NOTHING! More or less said do not write many e-mails they will be more confused. WHAT A MESS!
September 1, 2025Sep 1 4 hours ago, John Drake said: Precisely what should be done. What idiot was clueless enough to downvote your post? I guess "we" hurt a Republican's feelings, but their party is the only one that talking about privatizing Social Security. You got a downvote as well. 🤷♂️ I'm not a fan of the Dems in general, but I am a fan of reality.
September 1, 2025Sep 1 I assume calling the FBU is out of the question. The 800 number is only available between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm, which is night here... and I assume there will be a long wait. The International Operations number (410-965-0160) is apparently available 24/7. The video guy said calling anyone who accepts input can do it. Thoughts?? BTW, I still haven't gotten the form. I'm planning on waiting a couple of weeks before attempting to call. That way I can tell them I don't have the form and there is insufficient time to get it back if it actually does arrive.
September 1, 2025Sep 1 6 hours ago, Galong said: I assume calling the FBU is out of the question. The 800 number is only available between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm, which is night here... and I assume there will be a long wait. The International Operations number (410-965-0160) is apparently available 24/7. The video guy said calling anyone who accepts input can do it. Thoughts?? BTW, I still haven't gotten the form. I'm planning on waiting a couple of weeks before attempting to call. That way I can tell them I don't have the form and there is insufficient time to get it back if it actually does arrive. Do NOT wait mail to Manila ! Is there any big companies here that ship mail?
September 2, 2025Sep 2 5 hours ago, Mitkof Island said: Do NOT wait mail to Manila ! Is there any big companies here that ship mail? I never got the form. The downloadable version does not have the barcode and QR code. I have a blank copy of last year's form with the codes. I don't know if I should fill that out or just make an image of the top portion with the codes in a cover letter to explain my situation. It would be oh so lovely if the government gave us some BASIC instructions for various scenarios. The incompetence meter is on fire! 🤦
September 2, 2025Sep 2 5 hours ago, Jingthing said: NEWS FLASH: Above is probably accurate in the report of a person in Pattaya being able to mail his 7162 to the US via normal mail from a Thai Post Office on 1 Sep vs having to use the Thailand Post Courier Post (which uses Fedex)....OR a person going directly to FedEx, DHL, etc., to mail an item. I say that because when going to the Thailand Post webpage to calculate postage to mail something to the US as of this morning 2 Sep at 7:42am it now provides 6 ways to mail an envelope to the US including regular airmail, registered airmail, and EMS. When the restricted mailing to the US went into effect around 10 days ago Thailand Post was only offering two options which were Courier Post for merchandise and documents. So, maybe on 1 Sep Thailand Post quietly restarted some of its mailing services/options to the US. https://www.thailandpost.co.th/un/rate_result_nrs3/?service_id=&to_CountryID=210%3A%3AUnited+States+of+America&parcel_weight=35.00&service_name=
September 2, 2025Sep 2 Has anyone successfully called the 800 number or the International Operations number (+1 410 965 0160) or the FBU and completed their transaction online? If so: - Which one did you call - When (what time) did you call - Approximately how long did it take to get a representative to answer? Thanks in advance for your response🙏
September 2, 2025Sep 2 Update from from the Social Security Administration We are writing to inform you of important updates regarding mailing services in Thailand and the submission of Social Security forms. Temporary Suspension of Thailand Post First-Class Mail Services Thailand Post has temporarily suspended its first-class/standard mailing service to the United States due to new customs deposit requirements. However, courier services such as DHL, UPS, and other partners of Thailand Post remain available. While these services may be more expensive, they are reliable options for sending official documents to the United States. Social Security Forms Submission Given the mail disruption, we recommend sending completed and signed SSA-7161/SSA-7162 forms directly to the following address via courier with tracking capability (e.g., FedEx, DHL, UPS): Social Security Administration U.S. Embassy – Manila Attention: FEQ 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, Philippines 0930 Please note that forms cannot be submitted via email or fax. If you have further questions or need assistance, please contact the Federal Benefits Unit in Manila or visit the SSA website for guidance.
September 2, 2025Sep 2 Yeap...resumption of mailing service for documents via airmail began 28 Aug 2025 according to below Thailand Post news announcement on their webpage. https://file.thailandpost.com/upload/content/28 ..68__68b1ac157ac83.pdf
September 2, 2025Sep 2 34 minutes ago, Pib said: Yeap...resumption of mailing service for documents via airmail began 28 Aug 2025 according to below Thailand Post news announcement on their webpage. https://file.thailandpost.com/upload/content/28 ..68__68b1ac157ac83.pdf Thanks. So Thai Post letters don't need to be to.a box. The box distinction came from DHL because DHL won't send to boxes. So even better news.
September 2, 2025Sep 2 38 minutes ago, Alotoftravel said: Update from from the Social Security Administration We are writing to inform you of important updates regarding mailing services in Thailand and the submission of Social Security forms. Temporary Suspension of Thailand Post First-Class Mail Services Thailand Post has temporarily suspended its first-class/standard mailing service to the United States due to new customs deposit requirements. However, courier services such as DHL, UPS, and other partners of Thailand Post remain available. While these services may be more expensive, they are reliable options for sending official documents to the United States. Social Security Forms Submission Given the mail disruption, we recommend sending completed and signed SSA-7161/SSA-7162 forms directly to the following address via courier with tracking capability (e.g., FedEx, DHL, UPS): Social Security Administration U.S. Embassy – Manila Attention: FEQ 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, Philippines 0930 Please note that forms cannot be submitted via email or fax. If you have further questions or need assistance, please contact the Federal Benefits Unit in Manila or visit the SSA website for guidance. Ignore that now. Suspension for letters lifted.
September 2, 2025Sep 2 US Embassy Bangkok just released this STEP 2 Sep message regarding mailing of 7162's. HOWEVER, it's probably outdated already due to Thailand Postal apparently back to mailing docs using normal methods like regular airmail, registered airmail, EMS, etc. ******************************** From: STEP Messages Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 10:58 AM To: Subject: Routine Message: Temporary Suspension of Thailand Post First-Class Mail Services- Social Security Documents Message from the Social Security Administration We are writing to inform you of important updates regarding mailing services in Thailand and the submission of Social Security forms. Temporary Suspension of Thailand Post First-Class Mail Services Thailand Post has temporarily suspended its first-class/standard mailing service to the United States due to new customs deposit requirements. However, courier services such as DHL, UPS, and other partners of Thailand Post remain available. While these services may be more expensive, they are reliable options for sending official documents to the United States. Social Security Forms Submission Given the mail disruption, we recommend sending completed and signed SSA-7161/SSA-7162 forms directly to the following address via courier with tracking capability (e.g., FedEx, DHL, UPS): Social Security Administration U.S. Embassy – Manila Attention: FEQ 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, Philippines 0930 Please note that forms cannot be submitted via email or fax. If you have further questions or need assistance, please contact the Federal Benefits Unit in Manila or visit the SSA website for guidance. Thank you, U.S. Embassy Bangkok Assistance: U.S. Embassy Bangkok 02-205-4000
September 2, 2025Sep 2 You can now mail direct to the United States? Is this correct? Anyone get a deposit in their bank accounts yet?
September 2, 2025Sep 2 45 minutes ago, Mitkof Island said: You can now mail direct to the United States? Is this correct? Anyone get a deposit in their bank accounts yet? Correct.
September 2, 2025Sep 2 As I still haven't gotten my form yet, sadly none of this new info really helps. I filled out 2 blank forms this morning as well as last year's form (with the barcode and QR code) to put in the envelope too. I don't know if this helps them or annoys them as they are so sparse with information. The plan was to send an envelope to Manila and possibly the US. I'm not sure if that is better, worse, or confusing to them. I guess in my situation I should send it to Manila with a cover letter explaining everything. So, do I send one envelope with the a single filled-in blank form addressed to their address or do I need one envelope with the US address and one with the Manila address so they can forward to 2nd one to the US? Sorry, I have no idea what to do. I reckon I'll try calling the international number tonight and hopefully get through within an hour or two. I have a sleeping disorder, so staying up late is not ideal... not getting this sorted has caused sleep loss already.
September 2, 2025Sep 2 7 hours ago, Pib said: US Embassy Bangkok just released this STEP 2 Sep message regarding mailing of 7162's. HOWEVER, it's probably outdated already due to Thailand Postal apparently back to mailing docs using normal methods like regular airmail, registered airmail, EMS, etc. ******************************** From: STEP Messages Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 10:58 AM To: Subject: Routine Message: Temporary Suspension of Thailand Post First-Class Mail Services- Social Security Documents Message from the Social Security Administration We are writing to inform you of important updates regarding mailing services in Thailand and the submission of Social Security forms. Social Security Forms Submission Given the mail disruption, we recommend sending completed and signed SSA-7161/SSA-7162 forms directly to the following address via courier with tracking capability (e.g., FedEx, DHL, UPS): Social Security Administration U.S. Embassy – Manila Attention: FEQ 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, Philippines 0930
September 2, 2025Sep 2 Popular Post HECK YEAH... got my 'Proof of Life' sorted over the phone!!!!! 🥳 What a relief. I call the International Operations number +1 410 965 0160. I called at 8:00 pm and only waited about 15 minutes. The process took about 15 minutes on the phone. I was all ready for an 'all nighter'.
September 2, 2025Sep 2 14 minutes ago, Galong said: HECK YEAH... got my 'Proof of Life' sorted over the phone!!!!! 🥳 What a relief. I call the International Operations number +1 410 965 0160. I called at 8:00 pm and only waited about 15 minutes. The process took about 15 minutes on the phone. I was all ready for an 'all nighter'. How did they verify you....what kind of questions did they ask?
September 2, 2025Sep 2 And did you ask did you still need to mail back the bar-coded 7162 if you receive it? Personally I would also mail-in a manual 7162 to Wilkes Barre via Thailand Post "regular airmail (cost around Bt70)" to play it safe. And of course mail back the bar-coded 7162 if/once it arrives....it will probably show-up tomorrow per Murphy's Laws.
September 2, 2025Sep 2 Popular Post 37 minutes ago, Pib said: How did they verify you....what kind of questions did they ask? The very polite agent read the questions in the "Interview Instructions" section of https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/reference.nsf/links/08272025080205PM word for word. She was familiar with the new policy, so it all went very smoothly. To verify my identity, she asked the standard 'where were you born, what's your mom's maiden name, etc stuff. At the end I said, "are you sure I don't have to mail in the form?" She said, "no, you've been submitted to the 7162 site. You're all set" I couldn't be more pleased with how everything went... whew. 😊
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