Us Social Security

[russc]

I am living in Thailand and have reached the age where I want to apply to start receiving my US Social Security benefits.

Has anyone made application for benefits from Thailand and can you tell me how you did it?

I have read the information on the SSA website and have called twice for information. When calling I get a recorded message saying they will call me back, but no response yet.

thanks

[stoneman]

The best place to start is the American Citizen Services(ACS) at the American Embassy...They have several people in that unit that are very good at helping get the paperwork done...Once it is completed, you send it to the office in Manila and they process it to Baltimore...The Manila office handles all SS work for the Far East...They are very good and very responsive....much more so than Baltimore...It will take about 6 months to get your first payment...

Stoneman

I am living in Thailand and have reached the age where I want to apply to start receiving my US Social Security benefits.

Has anyone made application for benefits from Thailand and can you tell me how you did it?

I have read the information on the SSA website and have called twice for information. When calling I get a recorded message saying they will call me back, but no response yet.

thanks

[glyph]

According to the SSA website, you can apply for benefits online.

[russc]

Great - thanks

The best place to start is the American Citizen Services(ACS) at the American Embassy...They have several people in that unit that are very good at helping get the paperwork done...Once it is completed, you send it to the office in Manila and they process it to Baltimore...The Manila office handles all SS work for the Far East...They are very good and very responsive....much more so than Baltimore...It will take about 6 months to get your first payment...

Stoneman

I am living in Thailand and have reached the age where I want to apply to start receiving my US Social Security benefits.

Has anyone made application for benefits from Thailand and can you tell me how you did it?

I have read the information on the SSA website and have called twice for information. When calling I get a recorded message saying they will call me back, but no response yet.

thanks

[ProThaiExpat]

Stoneman is so right!! I chased around for weeks calling all kinds of numbers trying to get my SS direct deposit changed from U.S. Bank to Aussie Bank and received many promises to return calls, they will take care of it etc. but nothing.

Then I stumbled on the SSA section at the U.S. Embassy in Manilla, it is actually listed in their directory as the Office of Veterans Affairs, maybe they do both, and once they sent me to that extension, I spoke to "John", a Fillipino who made a few clicks on his computer and the new bank direct deposit was done.

I spoke to the U.S. Treasury department who set up the U.S. Treasury Direct Deposit System and they were clueless.

Anyway, if you run into any trouble, just call John at the Manilla Embassy and he will help for sure. He is responsible for all of Asia for SSA and the one who will be paying your benefit, however you choose to arrange it. I used Skype. A google search for U.S. Embassy Philiapines will get you their website and directory.

SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE FOR AUSTRALIA

U.S. EMBASSY, PHILlAPINES

(63) 2-301-2000 EXT 2647 OR 2436 OR “JOHN AT 2669”

[PeaceBlondie]

I applied through the consular services at my consulate in Chiang Mai. The drones at Baltimore are untrained in foreign affairs, if you ever speak to one. I have always gotten excellent services from Manila, talking to 3 or 4 different people - and they did not hand me from one clerk to another. They also handle VA affairs. Also, once you are receiving SS payments - at least between age 62 and full retirement age - keep SSA advised of your mailing address. They send out inquiries at times, and if you never respond, they stop your check!

[russc]

I applied through the consular services at my consulate in Chiang Mai. The drones at Baltimore are untrained in foreign affairs, if you ever speak to one. I have always gotten excellent services from Manila, talking to 3 or 4 different people - and they did not hand me from one clerk to another. They also handle VA affairs. Also, once you are receiving SS payments - at least between age 62 and full retirement age - keep SSA advised of your mailing address. They send out inquiries at times, and if you never respond, they stop your check!

thanks to all. I am in Chiangmai and will start at consulate here

[KhunDennis]

I did this a while back. The American Citizen Services at the US Embassy is the place to go.

Bring with you original documents for them to certify. Examples are:

passport, social security card, birth certificate, drivers license, military record

English translation of Thai marrage certificate, which has to be has to be certified at the Thai Ministry of Foeign Affairs.

They will give you a packet of papers with a check list to get all the info they want, and there is no fee for the service for social security.

You send the completed packet into the office in Baltimore , Maryland by certified mail and they proscess it. It worked out well for me

You should do this about 5 or 6 months in advance so it will be ready for you when you are ready for benefits.

[PennyFarthing123]

A couple of years ago when I applied for my social security benefits I tried the on line route. Discovered that it is only for those living in the USA. You can not do it from overseas.

Fortunately for me I was going to the US to visit family and I applied at a Social Security office while there. I received my first check in Australia within 2 weeks.

Things did not go quite so smoothly when we transferred our address to Thailand. Although no real complaints other than they stopped direct depositing my check in Australia and started sending it to my temporary address in the USA without me requesting it.

I am now in the process of setting up direct deposit with Bangkok Bank and finding it is a bit of a hassle, but probably better than having the checks mailed to the consulate in Bangkok and then mailed to me here in Cha Am.

[Lost in LOS]

Anyway, if you run into any trouble, just call John at the Manilla Embassy and he will help for sure. He is responsible for all of Asia for SSA and the one who will be paying your benefit, however you choose to arrange it. I used Skype. A google search for U.S. Embassy Philiapines will get you their website and directory.

SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE FOR AUSTRALIA

U.S. EMBASSY, PHILlAPINES

(63) 2-301-2000 EXT 2647 OR 2436 OR “JOHN AT 2669”

thanks for that. does he have an email address. questions i have are do i need ss card or birth certificate? that will be easier sending an email as a start.

I don't have either a ss card [know the number] or birth certificate and when trying to check ss online my information comes as incorrect and wont let me sign on. the only incorrect thing could be my address since i dont know which address they have for me. i got ss notices to my accountant but that address didn't work on the website and I cant call since they dont answer and wont call back.

I do have the following:

US drivers license

passport

military discharge papers [which worked in hawaii to get my drivers license switched from LA instead of a SS card]

will that be enough or do i have to track down my birth certificate and ss card which i am not sure how to do from here

i need to get this done since i am 62 in april [if there is still ss then : ( ]

thanks jimmy

[KhunDennis]

When I went to the American Citizen Service in Bangkok, they told me , they could also do this in Chiang Mai. It would a good place to start if you are closer to Chaing Mai than Bangkok.

I think the more information and proof of identity you take the better. They want the originals, and will copy and certify the copies for you. You are not wanted to send original documens to SSA.

The packet of papers I recieved was pretty self explanitary. Mainly I think they want you to give proof of who you are, and have it certified by embassy officials.

[PeaceBlondie]

The consulate put my finished application in the diplomatic pouch. This was late September 2004. Later, I got a call on my mobile phone in Thailand, to verify some military data (you do remember your service number, yes?). I do not recall the Consulate verifying anything, even my divorce.

[Lost in LOS]

just called the SS in Philippines. asked for john but they said they have different people for different letters that start your last name. my guy turned out to be Armando who spoke good English and was very helpful. he said i don't have to have my SS card nor my birth certificate as long as i have my passport and discharge papers. good news. he said i would have to send him an email or go to the Bangkok embassy and give both items 3 months before my date in April. i am a bit apprehensive waiting that long as i know paperwork in the us gov. takes time. he did say i cannot sign on the to ss website outside of the US

thanks