Social Security contacts for U.S. expats in Thailand

[IMA_FARANG]

I am placing this information here for U.S. expats living in Thailand.

I just went through the process of re-instating my Social Security which was suspended due to my error.

I want to share some info that you may or may not know about your Social Security and the address and telephone number you may need to contact.

This is from my own personal experience.

ALL international operations for U.S. Social Security recipients are done through the Office of International Operations which is the office that services all those with who live outside the United States.

The mailing address is:

OIO OIO

PO Box 17775

Baltimore, MD 21235-7775

This includes all of your who have an international mailing address INCLUDING those who have a U.S. bank Direct Deposit account.

ALL direct deposit accounts for international recipients are paid from that office. Most direct deposit accounts for international recipients are paid from that office on the 3rd of each month.

It is an automated computer batch process so basically all international direct deposit accounts are processed at the same time.

Most people will therefore see their direct deposits credited to their account by their bank no later than the 4th or 5th of each month if they are serviced by the International Office.

A telephone contact number for the International Operations Office is:

1-410-965-0160

They have an automated voice-mail routing system, so you may have to enter the correct number to switch your call to the office you need to talk to.

In my experience the delay time to get a human operator to answer you is between 10 and 30 minutes while you are on hold.

This is NOT a toll free call so they have a message recording system that will allow you to record a message so they can call you back.

They will want your name, Social Security number, and a telephone number to call you back on.

In my experience, if you give them an international phone number to call you back on, they will probably NOT return your call. If at all possible give them a U.S. number if you want a call back.

They claim to be the final answer to ALL Social Security questions for ALL international questions.

Again, expect a 10 to 30 minute delay before a human picks up to answer your call.

[JLCrab]

And if you call Baltimore and get to talk a guy whose name and voice sounds like he may come from Nigeria, don't let it throw you. He's legit -- SSA has not been hacked.

[thailiketoo]

Since the Thai SS recipients are handled out of Manila and you can call or email them and they respond why wouldn't you do that? Or has that changed?

http://manila.usembassy.gov/us-agencies2/the-social-security-administration-division2.html