18 minutes ago, RPCVguy said:

I had the same problem a few years back. The tracking worked all the way to the Wilkes Barre mail center - then stopped.
I got a 2nd notice, repeated the registered mail and it also stopped in Wilkes Barre.
My congressman had me process a waiver and then email a copy of the details, plus the form 7162... and it worked.

I mailed my out via "Registered Mail" in order to track it a number of years ago. Both times the tracking stopped at the Wilkes-Barr Post Office. I seems that USPS in Wilkes-Barr sits on the registered mail going to the SSA. Both time they were delivered AFTER the 60 days cutoff date.
I wrote to my state Senator. Never got a reply back. Now I just mail it out regular air mail and never have had a problem. If by chance I get a second notice, then I send it via Fedex.

3 hours ago, jeffandgop said:

Coincidentally enough, the State Dept sent out an email early this morning to those enrolled in their STEP Program. It stated:

The Social Security Administration (SSA) relies on Social Security benefit recipients to report events that may affect their benefits. To verify the status of beneficiaries with a foreign address on record, SSA contacts these individuals annually or biennially (every two years).

The first mailings for Calendar Year (CY) 2026 of the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaires (FEQ) (Forms SSA-7161 and SSA-7162) were released on July 2, 2026. These mailings are directed to Social Security beneficiaries who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Age 90 or older

• Have a Representative Payee

• Social Security Number (SSN) ends in 00–49 

Please note: Individuals in countries on the USPS International Mail Service suspension list are excluded from the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (FEQ) mailing. Social Security beneficiaries in those countries are not required to respond.

Recipients are required to respond within 45 days of receiving the questionnaire. You may respond in one of the following ways:

• By Telephone: Call the dedicated international SSA line at +1-855-522-6936 (7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to complete the FEQ by phone.

• By Mail: Return the completed FEQ in the envelope provided to:

Form SSA-7162

Social Security Administration

P.O. Box 7162

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 18767-7162, U.S.A.

 

Form SSA-7161

P.O. Box 7161

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18767-7161, U.S.A.

 

By Courier: Return the completed FEQ to:

Social Security Administration

Wilkes-Barre Direct Operations Center

Attention: FEQ Analyst – Courier Service

150 E. Mountain Dr. Room 341

Wilkes Barre, PA 18702-7997

 

Important: Do not email the FEQ form. If you are unable to return the form using the provided envelope, you may use an international mail or package delivery service to send the completed FEQ directly to your servicing Federal Benefits Unit (FBU), not to the U.S. PO Box. Please be aware that mailing the form directly to the FBU may increase processing time.

 

In the absence of a response to the initial contact, SSA will send a second mailer to non-responders. Failure to comply with the Foreign Enforcement Program requirements will result in the suspension of benefits.

 

If you do not receive the form but believe that you are required to complete it, please contact your servicing Federal Benefits Unit (FBU). 

 

For additional information, please visit the official Social Security website:

• Life events | SSA

• What to Do When Someone Dies | SSA

Thank you for helping us maintain the accuracy of your Social Security records and for fulfilling your reporting responsibilities.

If you are a registered user, you can manage your subscriptions by clicking the link below. Guest subscribers cannot manage subscriptions but can create a Login.gov account to manage future subscriptions.

Good stuff. Guess if I get a second notice, I'll try the phone at +1-855-522-6936 (7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Might try that next year.

Interesting here. I don't meet any of those criteria and yet I got a notice.

I still haven't received my form 7162 . I am presently residing in Buriram. If my memory serves me right, I received the form last year but the year before that it never arrived so I sent a photocopy of a previously received form and attached a short note explaining why. The year before that, I sent an email to the Manila Embassy telling them that I had yet to receive the form so they sent an email back to me with the attached form. I printed it and sent it in. This is all so annoying and unnecessary. Three years ago the form never arrived so I, again, sent a photocopy of the form I had received the year before and attached a note explaining why. It seems to have worked. Hope it gets here soon.

26 minutes ago, connda said:

nteresting here. I don't meet any of those criteria and yet I got a notice.

That's because above info is not completely correct...generic in nature....fits the situation maybe 90% of the time....or maybe I should say requires more detail regarding the last statement of "SSN ends in 00-49" as I will assume you are not 90 or over nor have a representative payee.

That "SSN ends in 00-49" statement only applies for those countries/areas on a biennial (every 2 years) schedule and the beneficiary having a certain "BIC" on their SS record. BIC stands for Beneficiary Identification Code....more on that later. Thailand is on an annual schedule for "most" benefit recipients...but some benefit recipients living in Thailand are on a biennial schedule

Take a look at the 7162 form you get....in the area that has your name, address, and a bunch of coding letters/numbers you'll see a heading of "BIC" with a code under it like a code of A, B, etc. There are many, many possible BIC codes as each person's Social Security situation is different. If your benefit is based on your "own earnings record" it will probably be an "A"; but if your benefit payment is based on another's record or special situations it will be another code. Lot's of different BIC codes.

By "most" I mean if your benefit payment is based on your own earnings record vs someone else earing record which often occurs in those cases were a spouse (typically the wife) did not work 10 years/pay into the SS system for at least 10 years and then the wife's SS benefit payment is based on the earnings record of the spouse/husband who did pay into the SS system for at least 10 years while the wife stayed and home and raised the kids. That spouse/wife will most likely have a BIC code of "B" on their SS record.

With a BIC code of B, SSN ending in 00-49, "and" living in Thailand the person will get a 7162 every 2 years during even number years (2026, 2028, etc) years...but if that person's with a BIC of B has an SSN ending in 50-99 they get the form during odd numbered years (2027, 2029, etc). Like my wife who has a BIC of "B", she receive a 7162 here in Thailand every two years on even numbered years (her benefit payment is based on my earnings record) while I receive a 7162 annually since my BIC is an "A". I expect most retirees in Thailand are receiving their SS benefit based on their own earnings record with a BIC of A and are therefore on an annual 7162 schedule.

Anyway, the "BIC" code on your earning record is "one of" the key determinates as to if you receive a 7162 annually or biennially. See below newspaper and SSA POMS record for more info.

A newspaper article on SSA "BIC" codes

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2012/08/27/a-little-explanation-of-codes/61049136007/

From SSA POMS....talks "BIC" among other things

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

4 hours ago, jeffandgop said:

You probably caught that the STEP message does not contain the 410 number as a number to call...I'm not going to try that one again....Good luck!

Upload doesn't work for people with foreign addresses too.

38 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Upload doesn't work for people with foreign addresses too.

Yeap....another example of how certain info put out by the SSA applies to the majority/states-side beneficiaries but not to all beneficiaries like those with foreign addresses.

Edited July 22Jul 22 by Pib

3 hours ago, RPCVguy said:

I'm reading through all of this topic, but responding first with two screenshots I emailed to my House Rep.
Basically, it looks to me to be changes that took affect in early 2025, you need a real US phone number to get into your account.

If living overseas, one needs to set up the SSA account by using ID.Me.

When I did this, I had to set up an appointment for a Zoom call with IDMe. When they called, I had to show my passport and SS card.

AI Overview

You can set up a personal account from abroad by creating an ID.me credential. Go to the Social Security Administration Account page, select 'Create an Account,' and choose 'Sign in with ID.me'. On the ID.me identity verification screen, click the "I don't live in the United States" link to proceed. 

Social Security Administration (.gov) +1

Once you have verified your identity, you will be prompted to enter your Social Security number and authorize ID.me to share your verified information with the SSA. After completing these steps, you will gain access to your my Social Security account to view earnings, check benefit estimates, and manage your tax statements. 

Social Security Administration (.gov) +1

1 hour ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

If living overseas, one needs to set up the SSA account by using ID.Me.

When I did this, I had to set up an appointment for a Zoom call with IDMe. When they called, I had to show my passport and SS card.

AI Overview

You can set up a personal account from abroad by creating an ID.me credential. Go to the Social Security Administration Account page, select 'Create an Account,' and choose 'Sign in with ID.me'. On the ID.me identity verification screen, click the "I don't live in the United States" link to proceed. 

Social Security Administration (.gov) +1

Once you have verified your identity, you will be prompted to enter your Social Security number and authorize ID.me to share your verified information with the SSA. After completing these steps, you will gain access to your my Social Security account to view earnings, check benefit estimates, and manage your tax statements. 

Social Security Administration (.gov) +1

You didn't look at the 2nd image / screen capture that I attached.

1 hour ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

If living overseas, one needs to set up the SSA account by using ID.Me.

When I did this, I had to set up an appointment for a Zoom call with IDMe. When they called, I had to show my passport and SS card.

AI Overview

You can set up a personal account from abroad by creating an ID.me credential. Go to the Social Security Administration Account page, select 'Create an Account,' and choose 'Sign in with ID.me'. On the ID.me identity verification screen, click the "I don't live in the United States" link to proceed. 

Social Security Administration (.gov) +1

Once you have verified your identity, you will be prompted to enter your Social Security number and authorize ID.me to share your verified information with the SSA. After completing these steps, you will gain access to your my Social Security account to view earnings, check benefit estimates, and manage your tax statements. 

Social Security Administration (.gov) +1

I will try again to see if the Zoom option is one I can access.

1 hour ago, RPCVguy said:

You didn't look at the 2nd image / screen capture that I attached.

Did you indicate that you lived overseas when trying the ID.me account creation? If not, try again with that option selected.

I did not use a smartphone to create my ID.me account. I used my desktop computer and scanned images of my documents. If you don't have a scanner, that may be an issue. Perhaps you could find a print shop or somewhere similar to get scans and put them on a USB stick to copy to your computer to upload to the ID.me website.

6 hours ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

If living overseas, one needs to set up the SSA account by using ID.Me.

When I did this, I had to set up an appointment for a Zoom call with IDMe. When they called, I had to show my passport and SS card.

AI Overview

You can set up a personal account from abroad by creating an ID.me credential. Go to the Social Security Administration Account page, select 'Create an Account,' and choose 'Sign in with ID.me'. On the ID.me identity verification screen, click the "I don't live in the United States" link to proceed. 

Social Security Administration (.gov) +1

Once you have verified your identity, you will be prompted to enter your Social Security number and authorize ID.me to share your verified information with the SSA. After completing these steps, you will gain access to your my Social Security account to view earnings, check benefit estimates, and manage your tax statements. 

Social Security Administration (.gov) +1

THANK YOU!
Your experience shared that they would do a zoom call gave me the info I needed. In my case the video call was using Google meet to my computer while I waited on their site.
It is great to have restored some necessary access.

30 minutes ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Did you indicate that you lived overseas when trying the ID.me account creation? If not, try again with that option selected.

I did not use a smartphone to create my ID.me account. I used my desktop computer and scanned images of my documents. If you don't have a scanner, that may be an issue. Perhaps you could find a print shop or somewhere similar to get scans and put them on a USB stick to copy to your computer to upload to the ID.me website

13 hours ago, jeffandgop said:

Coincidentally enough, the State Dept sent out an email early this morning to those enrolled in their STEP Program. It stated:

The Social Security Administration (SSA) relies on Social Security benefit recipients to report events that may affect their benefits. To verify the status of beneficiaries with a foreign address on record, SSA contacts these individuals annually or biennially (every two years).

The first mailings for Calendar Year (CY) 2026 of the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaires (FEQ) (Forms SSA-7161 and SSA-7162) were released on July 2, 2026. These mailings are directed to Social Security beneficiaries who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Age 90 or older

• Have a Representative Payee

• Social Security Number (SSN) ends in 00–49 

Please note: Individuals in countries on the USPS International Mail Service suspension list are excluded from the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (FEQ) mailing. Social Security beneficiaries in those countries are not required to respond.

Recipients are required to respond within 45 days of receiving the questionnaire. You may respond in one of the following ways:

• By Telephone: Call the dedicated international SSA line at +1-855-522-6936 (7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to complete the FEQ by phone.

• By Mail: Return the completed FEQ in the envelope provided to:

Form SSA-7162

Social Security Administration

P.O. Box 7162

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 18767-7162, U.S.A.

 

Form SSA-7161

P.O. Box 7161

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18767-7161, U.S.A.

 

By Courier: Return the completed FEQ to:

Social Security Administration

Wilkes-Barre Direct Operations Center

Attention: FEQ Analyst – Courier Service

150 E. Mountain Dr. Room 341

Wilkes Barre, PA 18702-7997

 

Important: Do not email the FEQ form. If you are unable to return the form using the provided envelope, you may use an international mail or package delivery service to send the completed FEQ directly to your servicing Federal Benefits Unit (FBU), not to the U.S. PO Box. Please be aware that mailing the form directly to the FBU may increase processing time.

 

In the absence of a response to the initial contact, SSA will send a second mailer to non-responders. Failure to comply with the Foreign Enforcement Program requirements will result in the suspension of benefits.

 

If you do not receive the form but believe that you are required to complete it, please contact your servicing Federal Benefits Unit (FBU). 

 

For additional information, please visit the official Social Security website:

• Life events | SSA

• What to Do When Someone Dies | SSA

Thank you for helping us maintain the accuracy of your Social Security records and for fulfilling your reporting responsibilities.

If you are a registered user, you can manage your subscriptions by clicking the link below. Guest subscribers cannot manage subscriptions but can create a Login.gov account to manage future subscriptions.

That worked. Thanks. Called at 7:15 Eastern, the machine said 10 minutes. 45 minutes finally got a real person. 5 minutes identity verification, 5 minutes to ”confirm and affirm” the answers to the 4 questions. Done.

Much better than sending mail and never knowing if it showed up. You definitely need a way to call free.

Strongly recommend setting up an ID.me account. Needing neither a US number nor address we can do it here - upload a few docs and video call with a " trusted referee".

ID.me allows access to individual SSA and IRS accounts, two of the most important things for older Americans, which is comforting at 10,000 miles away from the mother ship.

Added: Though I didn't see anything in my SSA account that allows for life verification. Seems that's always write or call in.

Edited July 22Jul 22 by Autocan

2 hours ago, Autocan said:

Strongly recommend setting up an ID.me account. Needing neither a US number nor address we can do it here - upload a few docs and video call with a " trusted referee".

ID.me allows access to individual SSA and IRS accounts, two of the most important things for older Americans, which is comforting at 10,000 miles away from the mother ship.

Added: Though I didn't see anything in my SSA account that allows for life verification. Seems that's always write or call in.

I don't have an ID.me account. I access my social security account online via login.gov. Much easier.

This thread is about the proof of life form 7162. Can't and likely will never be able to be done online according to the agent I spoke to during my phone call.

22 hours ago, RPCVguy said:

I had the same problem a few years back. The tracking worked all the way to the Wilkes Barre mail center - then stopped.
I got a 2nd notice, repeated the registered mail and it also stopped in Wilkes Barre.
My congressman had me process a waiver and then email a copy of the details, plus the form 7162... and it worked.

That's why I send as normal mail. In 21 years the only parcel, including 15 years SS envelopes, going or coming that didn't arrive within 14 days was registered. You have an excellent congressman. My mantra is KISS, keep it simple stupid.

5 hours ago, Autocan said:

Strongly recommend setting up an ID.me account. Needing neither a US number nor address we can do it here - upload a few docs and video call with a " trusted referee".

ID.me allows access to individual SSA and IRS accounts, two of the most important things for older Americans, which is comforting at 10,000 miles away from the mother ship.

Added: Though I didn't see anything in my SSA account that allows for life verification. Seems that's always write or call in.

With an SSA.gov account one can do the following: 1)See past and future payment information 2) Print tax forms 3) Change direct deposit account information 4) Change of address 5) Check social security earnings records. But one can never confirm whether form 7162 has been complied with or not. I have an id.me account (yes it was a major pain in the ass to setup and it actually required two video calls along with uploading a lot of documents) but I use login.gov to access SSA because it is faster. I use id.me to access my IRS account information. Always good to know sooner if the IRS wants to hear from you.

46 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

With an SSA.gov account one can do the following: 1)See past and future payment information 2) Print tax forms 3) Change direct deposit account information 4) Change of address 5) Check social security earnings records. But one can never confirm whether form 7162 has been complied with or not. I have an id.me account (yes it was a major pain in the ass to setup and it actually required two video calls along with uploading a lot of documents) but I use login.gov to access SSA because it is faster. I use id.me to access my IRS account information. Always good to know sooner if the IRS wants to hear from you.

If you have a foriegn address onfile with the SSA you can "not" change your direct deposit or address via your SSA online acct. Instead, a message/note appears saying you must contact the SSA to make the change.

However if you have U.S, address onfile you can make the deposit or address change online.

Another example of how some SSA info is generic in nature and does not apply to everyone.

5 minutes ago, Pib said:

If you have a foriegn address onfile with the SSA you can "not" change your direct deposit or address via your SSA online acct. Instead, a message/note appears saying you must contact the SSA to make the change.

Welfare& Unemployment

However if you have U.S, address onfile you can make the deposit or address change online.

Another example of how some SSA info is generic in nature and does not apply to everyone.

I have a US based account. If I had a Thai bank it would be different. I was told this by a rep from FBU.

1 minute ago, sqwakvfr said:

I have a US based account. If I had a Thai bank it would be different. I was told this by a rep from FBU.

Yes, with a US address onfile a person can make direct deposit or change address via SSA online acct, but if you had a foriegn address onfile (like in Thailand) that address/deposit change capability gets restricted in your SSA online acct.

If a person had a US address onfile and wanted to have their benefit payment sent via International Direct Deposit (IDD) to "any" Thai bank they would have to change their onfile address with the SSA to a foriegn...this can be done while submitting the IDD application/form.

Now if using ACH direct deposit (different from IDD method) you can use a special Bangkok Bank acct while still retaining your US address onfile with SSA...but this only works with Bangkok Bank and not any other Thai bank.

Yeap, whether you have a US or foriegn address onfile with SSA changes what you can or can not do via the SSA online acct....and your address is the primary determinant as to whether you are sent a 7162 or not.

On 7/22/2026 at 10:58 AM, Pib said:

That's because above info is not completely correct...generic in nature....fits the situation maybe 90% of the time....or maybe I should say requires more detail regarding the last statement of "SSN ends in 00-49" as I will assume you are not 90 or over nor have a representative payee.

That "SSN ends in 00-49" statement only applies for those countries/areas on a biennial (every 2 years) schedule and the beneficiary having a certain "BIC" on their SS record. BIC stands for Beneficiary Identification Code....more on that later. Thailand is on an annual schedule for "most" benefit recipients...but some benefit recipients living in Thailand are on a biennial schedule

Take a look at the 7162 form you get....in the area that has your name, address, and a bunch of coding letters/numbers you'll see a heading of "BIC" with a code under it like a code of A, B, etc. There are many, many possible BIC codes as each person's Social Security situation is different. If your benefit is based on your "own earnings record" it will probably be an "A"; but if your benefit payment is based on another's record or special situations it will be another code. Lot's of different BIC codes.

By "most" I mean if your benefit payment is based on your own earnings record vs someone else earing record which often occurs in those cases were a spouse (typically the wife) did not work 10 years/pay into the SS system for at least 10 years and then the wife's SS benefit payment is based on the earnings record of the spouse/husband who did pay into the SS system for at least 10 years while the wife stayed and home and raised the kids. That spouse/wife will most likely have a BIC code of "B" on their SS record.

With a BIC code of B, SSN ending in 00-49, "and" living in Thailand the person will get a 7162 every 2 years during even number years (2026, 2028, etc) years...but if that person's with a BIC of B has an SSN ending in 50-99 they get the form during odd numbered years (2027, 2029, etc). Like my wife who has a BIC of "B", she receive a 7162 here in Thailand every two years on even numbered years (her benefit payment is based on my earnings record) while I receive a 7162 annually since my BIC is an "A". I expect most retirees in Thailand are receiving their SS benefit based on their own earnings record with a BIC of A and are therefore on an annual 7162 schedule.

Anyway, the "BIC" code on your earning record is "one of" the key determinates as to if you receive a 7162 annually or biennially. See below newspaper and SSA POMS record for more info.

A newspaper article on SSA "BIC" codes

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2012/08/27/a-little-explanation-of-codes/61049136007/

From SSA POMS....talks "BIC" among other things

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

Thanks for that detailed explanation. Very appreciate! I didn't know this - good stuff!

15 hours ago, gargamon said:

That worked. Thanks. Called at 7:15 Eastern, the machine said 10 minutes. 45 minutes finally got a real person. 5 minutes identity verification, 5 minutes to ”confirm and affirm” the answers to the 4 questions. Done.

Much better than sending mail and never knowing if it showed up. You definitely need a way to call free.

How did the perform the "identity verification." What was needed?

2 hours ago, Pib said:

Yes, with a US address onfile a person can make direct deposit or change address via SSA online acct, but if you had a foriegn address onfile (like in Thailand) that address/deposit change capability gets restricted in your SSA online acct.

Politics(Right)

If a person had a US address onfile and wanted to have their benefit payment sent via International Direct Deposit (IDD) to "any" Thai bank they would have to change their onfile address with the SSA to a foriegn...this can be done while submitting the IDD application/form.

Now if using ACH direct deposit (different from IDD method) you can use a special Bangkok Bank acct while still retaining your US address onfile with SSA...but this only works with Bangkok Bank and not any other Thai bank.

Yeap, whether you have a US or foriegn address onfile with SSA changes what you can or can not do via the SSA online acct....and your address is the primary determinant as to whether you are sent a 7162 or not.

A 7162 form can also be sent to a benefit recipient if one is 90 or older regardless of where there address is. I applied for SSA online from CNX and nothing had to sent to SSA. No direct deposit form and no proof of address. SSA took 5 months to approve my application and they electronically pinged my US Checking account right before the first payment was deposited.

Methods to Update Your Foreign Address

• Federal Benefits Unit (FBU): Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate FBU that handles your specific country of residence via email or phone. [1, 2]

• Mail or Fax Form SSA-21: Fill out the Form SSA-21 (Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States) and mail or fax it directly to the responsible FBU or SSA office. [1]

• Online Account: Log into your my Social Security account using an ID.me or Login.gov credential, though foreign-to-foreign or initial international updates sometimes require direct FBU intervention

Edited July 23Jul 23 by sqwakvfr

4 hours ago, Pib said:

Yeap, whether you have a US or foriegn address onfile with SSA changes what you can or can not do via the SSA online acct....and your address is the primary determinant as to whether you are sent a 7162 or not.

Thank you for this information

I stopped my direct deposit to BKK Bank 2 years ago and now put in my USA checking account. I have a USA PMB post office box that can forward mail.

1. If I change my mailing address for SSA to my USA PO Box - then I will not receive or be required to fill out the the form 7162 anymore??

2. Does my SSA mailing address have to be the same as the IRS mailing address? If you know? No reason to pay state taxes if i don't actually live in that state.

Thanks in advance if you know the answers.

1 minute ago, LivingNThailand said:

1. Does my SSA mailing address have to be the same as the IRS mailing address? If you know? No reason to pay state taxes if i don't actually live in that state.

no

9 minutes ago, LivingNThailand said:

Thank you for this information

I stopped my direct deposit to BKK Bank 2 years ago and now put in my USA checking account. I have a USA PMB post office box that can forward mail.

1. If I change my mailing address for SSA to my USA PO Box - then I will not receive or be required to fill out the the form 7162 anymore??

2. Does my SSA mailing address have to be the same as the IRS mailing address? If you know? No reason to pay state taxes if i don't actually live in that state.

Thanks in advance if you know the answers.

1. Maybe, as the SSA may not accept a P.O. as your residential/physical address. You can actually have two addresses onfile with the SSA...1) your physical address which determines whether you get a 7162 or not, and 2) a mailing address if different from your physical address.

2. No, regarding SSA and IRS addresses needing to be the same.

8 hours ago, Base32 said:

How did the perform the "identity verification." What was needed?

Just the standard questions. Mother's maiden name, current address, etc. I'm sure they rotate the questions so they're not the same for everyone.

Maybe I'm too dimwitted to comment, but an SSA agent told me that whatever address I use on my 1040 will automatically change the SSA address if they're not the same. I could not get either gov account because it will either not accept my credentials or it requires a phone verification for a publicly listed number in the US. How can I get one of those, I've lived here for 21 years. On a side note, I'm desperate for blood donation A- or O- so if you can donate PM me for details. It can be sent to Chiang Mai, Nakornping Hospital. THANKS!
ps: my karma is good, I donated many times for years to Suandok until they made me stop due to age.

Edited Thursday at 10:30 PM5 days by cusanus

9 hours ago, gargamon said:

Just the standard questions. Mother's maiden name, current address, etc. I'm sure they rotate the questions so they're not the same for everyone.

Curious why you are so sure? What questions did they ask you for identity verification when you called in? For me, the "standard questions" were exactly that- the same information you will find on the SSA-7162 when you receive it and the questions addressing any changes to your status are only those questions contained in the form.

If anyone else's experiences were different they hopefully will post the details.

34 minutes ago, cusanus said:

I could not get either gov account because it will either not accept my credentials or it requires a phone verification for a publicly listed number in the US.

You don't need either a US phone or address for ID.me. They have an option for those without these. I am one of those and got ID.me verified a couple of days go. Plenty of options for the docs to upload: passport, 1099s (SSA-1099 being one of them), etc., etc. Then there's video call with a "trusted referee" who wants to see those doc on cam. And you're done.

Great thread as usual, most helpful. I've been submitting SSA-7162 for 12 years and since around Covid times mostly send it registered Thailand Post first class mail. So far I've never seen tracking get as far as Wilkse Barre, usually stopping somewhere outside NY after leaving customs. SS is still being deposited so I assume they get them.

But it's a wearying thing, and I'm a bit slow this year. So I would like to ask your opinion: Is it faster and safer just to send it by Thailand first class mail but without the registration? Many thanks.