Anyone Receiving Social Security Disability?

[bigmeow]

Hi

I have just moved to Thailand. I have been receiving benefits (SSDI) while living in the USA and now I made the big move to Thailand but have questions and worries about my benefits while living here. I changed my address with Social Security before leaving the USA. Now I'm here and would like feedback from those residing here and living off benefits. I'm hoping to get personal experiences from people. I left my direct deposit to a US bank alone to eliminate that concern but others remain. I searched this topic high and low but got limited info on the net about it. I got my first review 5 years after my benefits started. I had to see an SS doctor in the US 3 years ago for that

1. What happens regarding a 5 year review situation while living in Thailand? Where does SS send you if you live here

2. Is it true that SS sends you papers to fill out every year when you live here? They don't do that if you live in the states. Which office sends these papers out? How much time do they give you to get the papers back to that office? Is it enough time? I've read horror stories about benefits being stopped for not getting these annual papers back on time. What happens if they stop your benefits? How do you get them reinstated? What's the best way to send these papers to insure they get there and can be tracked.

3. What if you move within Thailand? Who do you report the change of address to in that case?

4. Do you disability benefits get automatically convert to retirement benefits upon reaching a certain age and thus eliminating dealing with these annual papers? What are procedures at that point?

5. any other important details to note about receiving benefits while living in Thailand?

I'm hoping for a smooth transition and not having benefits interrupted due to this move. Thanks to all in advance

[Boater]

i didnt think you where allowed any benefits while living in Thailand ???

[Jingthing]

Apparently, social security DISABILITY is legal to get while abroad (also of course old age social security). SSI is not.

The rules for receiving Social Security disability or retirement overseas do not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

http://sheriabrams.com/blog/social-security-disability-information/receive-social-security-disability-retirement-move-country/

I am pretty sure maintenance of benefits issues are handled through the SS office in Manila, Philippines.

Here is their contact info. I sent the phone and email by PM as not sure if allowed on a post. You may want to email them and ask your questions.

Philippines

Social Security Division

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Regional Office

American Embassy

1131 Roxas Boulevard

Ermita 0930 Manila

Philippines

Also this site --

http://www.ssa.gov/foreign/

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html

[slapout]

It sounds like you have been on disability for at least 8 years. Did you not bring up these questions prior to moving to Thailand, with your local Social Security office? You can find answers to question 4 in the documents you have received from the US government.

The doctor exam requirement is specified with a US doctor, which requires your presence there. There is a real question about your eligibility to qualify for continued benefits if you move abroad. A lot will depend on your age prior to retirement and if you have no friends who will rat you out, where you reside as per social security records, is the disability permanent, etc.

At first glance it appears you may not have done much homework prior to a permanent move to Thailand (if that is what you intend) and are asking if anyone can give you assistance in circumventing the system.

[Jingthing]

I think SSDI is legal to collect abroad. If so, this guy needs help, not lectures. Also, if legal which it appears to be, there is no real need to collect info stealthily, is there? Why not just contact the SSA as a legitimately eligible person?

[Kwasaki]

I think SSDI is legal to collect abroad. If so, this guy needs help, not lectures. Also, if legal which it appears to be, there is no real need to collect info stealthily, is there? Why not just contact the SSA as a legitimately eligible person?

I don't about the Yanks I know you probably wouldn't get it from DHS in England but as "Jingthing " says get on to the people who matter, best of luck.

[lopburi3]

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html?tfrm=5

You might want to read the above.

[NancyL]

The folks at the SS office in Manila are wonderful. The OP should email them ASAP. They respond within one business day and will set up a time for a phone conference, where they will call you, so it's on their dime.

Hubby stated his retirement benefits this year and the fellow at the Manila office said he should watch his local (Thai) mail because they will send a form annually that must be returned. So, it looks like this annual reporting is needed overseas not just for disability payments.

[bigmeow]

i didnt think you where allowed any benefits while living in Thailand ???

That's SSI not SSDI

[bigmeow]

It sounds like you have been on disability for at least 8 years. Did you not bring up these questions prior to moving to Thailand, with your local Social Security office? You can find answers to question 4 in the documents you have received from the US government.

The doctor exam requirement is specified with a US doctor, which requires your presence there. There is a real question about your eligibility to qualify for continued benefits if you move abroad. A lot will depend on your age prior to retirement and if you have no friends who will rat you out, where you reside as per social security records, is the disability permanent, etc.

At first glance it appears you may not have done much homework prior to a permanent move to Thailand (if that is what you intend) and are asking if anyone can give you assistance in circumventing the system.

Totally false. It is perfectly OK to move abroad on SSDI. This much I confirmed with an officer at my local field office prior to moving here. I am looking for others who live here on SSDI benefits and the procedures there are as I know they differ from when you live in the states.

[bigmeow]

The folks at the SS office in Manila are wonderful. The OP should email them ASAP. They respond within one business day and will set up a time for a phone conference, where they will call you, so it's on their dime.

Hubby stated his retirement benefits this year and the fellow at the Manila office said he should watch his local (Thai) mail because they will send a form annually that must be returned. So, it looks like this annual reporting is needed overseas not just for disability payments.

Thank you Nancy, that's a huge help

[bigmeow]

JingThing and Lop, I appreciate the info

[bangkokjohn]

It sounds like you have been on disability for at least 8 years. Did you not bring up these questions prior to moving to Thailand, with your local Social Security office? You can find answers to question 4 in the documents you have received from the US government.

The doctor exam requirement is specified with a US doctor, which requires your presence there. There is a real question about your eligibility to qualify for continued benefits if you move abroad. A lot will depend on your age prior to retirement and if you have no friends who will rat you out, where you reside as per social security records, is the disability permanent, etc.

At first glance it appears you may not have done much homework prior to a permanent move to Thailand (if that is what you intend) and are asking if anyone can give you assistance in circumventing the system.

Totally false. It is perfectly OK to move abroad on SSDI. This much I confirmed with an officer at my local field office prior to moving here. I am looking for others who live here on SSDI benefits and the procedures there are as I know they differ from when you live in the states.

Seems to me if you can travel to Thailand and work a computer you can get a job, no?

[Jingthing]

Seems to me if you can travel to Thailand and work a computer you can get a job, no?

Is moving to Thailand an in demand special skill in America these days? Do tell ...

BTW, the OP doesn't need to defend his claim with SSA here. That is between him and the SSA.

[Ijustwannateach]

Let's keep on track here- several people have made useful posts addressing the OP's query, and it seems the legality of the OP's interest has been established. Further comments questioning the OP about his right to his rights will earn warnings, too.

[PingManDan]

Living here in Thailand you have to contact SSI in Manila Philippines (main headquarters for Asia) to get things changed or started here

[sirineou]

My Dad retired to Europe from the US and received Disability, and later ,SSI for many years , until his death, since he was not in the US to Use the medical services,he opted out from Medicare for an additional sum in his monthly check.

[bigmeow]

My Dad retired to Europe from the US and received Disability, and later ,SSI for many years , until his death, since he was not in the US to Use the medical services,he opted out from Medicare for an additional sum in his monthly check.

thanks for that. the office in the usa did ask me if I wanted to cancel part B medicare as it can't be used outside the country. I opted to keep it and thus pay out the $96 per month. probably wiser to save that cash. only reason to keep it going is because if you wanted to start it back up you'd be paying the new rate of $116/mo. and are restricted to a few months a year that you can sign back up. I'm still debating that

[BSJ]

You yanks are lucky. If your an Aussie the miserable government pricks cut you off after 13 weeks if your not in Oz.

[Hans Brix]

this link might be helpful

[Hans Brix]

one more thread on this topic

[bunta71]

Welcome to the rat race. Yes as you already know I receive SS Disability along with two union pensions. Drawing SSD here in Thailand is absolutely legal, but there are a couple of quirks that you must be aware of. Mainly keeping SS abreast of your address. You must do this for this reason: Usually when someone is approved for disability payments, they want to review your condition to make sure you are still disabled. When you first receive your award letter, depending on your challenges, the SS folks will review you either after one year or three years or five years or never. For example if you are permanently blinded there will be no review as you are not considered to be able to improve to the point you are no longer disabled. This is why you must keep them informed of your address. Personally I was supposed to be reviewed after 3 years. This came and went without a review. These reviews are done also depending on other factors such as your age. It is my understanding that if you are so close to retirement age and there is no time to re-educate you in another trade then they will not review you. Others have said if you live in Thailand they will notbother with a review. Maybe true but this I do not know for a fact. Everything else I have layed out are factual scenarios. Good luck and hopefully like many people who have come to Thailand you will learn of techniques and alternative medicine methods to improve your health. I can answer any questions that I have not covered if you PM me again.

[bigmeow]

I just received my 1st questionaire. Hopefully this will help someone. I had called the PI and he said June was the month to expect it and he was right. It was dated June 15 and arrived bkk on June 22. Pretty fast oversea mail. I sent it back the same day. So heads up to anyone in the same situation. oh they give you 60 days to get it back to PA, USA.