Att: U.S. Citizens... S.S. 'Are you alive?' letters are out.

[Pib]

11 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Not sure why the US Embassy Cambodia site says visit every month, not every six months.......per this SSA POM.

Different POMS cover different countries.  

 

Guess confidence in determining dead or alive/continuing eligibility status is pretty low for Cambodia based on recent history and current conditions.

[chaz2]

Yes, notice every one of these examples states “in Cambodia”.  Including USA bank acct in Cambodia.  Keep your benefit going into a USA bank acct in USA

 

Last time I was in Phnom Pehn there were still 3 banks that I used that would give a ‘no fee’ credit or debit card cash advance up to US $2000.  AND, my VISA Card acct thru my USA stockbroker does not charge fees, even on foreign transactions.  There are ways to easily get your USA based money if you do your homework.  No problem...

[mtls2005]

Am I correct in assuming that, in the event the annual FEP mailing doesn't happen to get delivered, say by the end of June, one could complete a blank G-SSA-7162 form and mail it to the SSA Wilkes-Barre Direct Operations Center?

 

If so, does anyone have the correct P.O. Box number for this form/address? Or maybe they could post it in a month or so when this year's letters start to show up.

 

I did find this address: 7 Wilkes-Barre Blvd, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, USA, but a lot of these forms have specific P.O. Boxes (and zip codes) associated with them.

[ubonjoe]

58 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

If so, does anyone have the correct P.O. Box number for this form/address? Or maybe they could post it in a month or so when this year's letters start to show up.

If you don't get the one mailed in early June they will send another one in about 90 days from the date the first one was sent if they don't receive one from you. IMO best to wait until you get the 2nd one or wait until August or September to send one.

Address is SSA PO Box 7162, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18767-7162 (from instructions for last years form).

Blank form that has same form number as last year's. SSA-7162 report.pdf

[George Bowman]

I go to town every few months or so to withdraw SS money from my Bangkok Bank account. I'd just soon stay on the farm. I wonder if a power of attorney letter would allow my wife to access this money. Been married seemingly forever, and am not concerned about her pilfering my account.

Edited May 8, 2018 by missoura

[mtls2005]

17 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Address is SSA PO Box 7162, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18767-7162 (from instructions for last years form).

 

Thanks.

 

Here's another link to the form. 

 

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms/images/SSA7/G-SSA-7162-OCR-SM-1.pdf

[ubonjoe]

26 minutes ago, missoura said:

I go to town every few months or so to withdraw SS money from my Bangkok Bank account. I'd just soon stay on the farm. I wonder if a power of attorney letter would allow my wife to access this money. Been married seemingly forever, and am not concerned about her pilfering my account.

Not sure a power of attorney would be enough. They are very strict on the requirement that only the holder of a direct deposit account can withdraw the funds. It more about your death not being reported and somebody having the ability to withdraw the funds than pilfering your account.

I have a direct deposit account and make the trip to the same branch once a month or more with my wife since I like to keep a stash of funds in it that cannot be accessed easily. I suspect if I could not make the trip they would allow my wife to do a one off transfer to one of my other accounts if I filled out the forms,  signed them and a copy of my passport photo page.

[NancyL]

44 minutes ago, missoura said:

I go to town every few months or so to withdraw SS money from my Bangkok Bank account. I'd just soon stay on the farm. I wonder if a power of attorney letter would allow my wife to access this money. Been married seemingly forever, and am not concerned about her pilfering my account.

I don't know if a POA would permit her to withdraw your SS -- I doubt it.  Instead, you could have her set up as your SS "representative payee", where she would open a special account at Bangkok Bank that is in the name of "Mrs. Missoura for the benefit of Mr. Missoura".  Then SSA would send the money to that account each month and she would have to be the one to show up at the bank , prove her identity and withdraw the money.  Like a regular BB SS account, a representative payee account doesn't have an ATM card or ability to access online.

 

When someone applies to be a representative payee (in this case your wife), she will need to provide more details to show she is trustworthy.  I've been involved in RP situations for SS recipients who are in hospital (and anticipated to be so for a long time) or handicapped with a stroke or dementia.  SS checks out the potential RP closely.  If you and your wife have had a registered marriage for a long period, this would go a long way in getting her approved.  If not, they may request references and statements from people who know your situation.  

 

However, SSA will want to know why you want to do this?  Are you infirm and can't sign your name, is it physically difficult for you to go to the bank each month, are you in a coma, are you so frail and elderly that you no longer understand your finances,  etc."  Somehow I think just saying you can't be bothered isn't going to cut it as a reason.

[mogandave]

The idea of the letter should be to see if one is still alive, and not dead...

As opposed to still alive and dead?

[mtls2005]

I received my 7162 on Wed., June 6, 2018, in Bangkok (postal code 10110). No clue when it mailed from Wilkes Barre, but the form is dated June 1, 2018.

[KhunFred]

Here is a related question that has puzzled me. I've lived in Thailand for three years and have never gotten one of these letters. I maintain a USA address and my sister receives my mail. She has seen nothing either. My Social Security payment is direct deposited into Bangkok Bank, so they have to be aware that I am living here. I have never given them my Thailand address but I am concerned about missing any correspondence that may result in my Social Security payment being stopped.  Comments would be welcome.

[mtls2005]

6 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

Comments would be welcome.

I mean the obvious solution would be to verify the mailing address SocSec has for you on file. Is that your sister's address? Do you receive your annual SocSec statement there?

 

If SocSec thinks you live in the U.S. at your mailing address then you only have to complete this form once every two years, I think.

 

Maybe the fact that you are presenting yourself in person at Bangkok Bank to withdraw your benefits is enough to show you are still alive?

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

I maintain a USA address and my sister receives my mail.

That is why you don't get the form sent to you.

 

[ubonjoe]

Just go mine delivered a little while ago. Dated June 1st.

Will fill it out, scan it and send it registered mail tomorrow.

[Pib]

My neighbor here in Bangkok go his today.   

 

[Genericnic]

Yep, if it wasn't for these yearly missives from SSA, I would never know when summer arrived. ?

 

David

 

[pmarlin]

Arrived yesterday, Bangkok and mailed it back this morning.

[Genericnic]

Actually we are lucky with the SSA letter. We sign and date it under penalty of perjury and mail it back. I get a pension from the state of Texas and every year they send out a similar "are you alive" letter. The difference is that it has to be acknowledged by the US consulate. That obviously entails having to set up an appointment, go to the consulate, and, of, course, pay them the US$50 for their stamp. I definitely have no complaints about the SSA letter.

David

Sent from my SM-T719Y using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[NancyL]

10 hours ago, Genericnic said:

Actually we are lucky with the SSA letter. We sign and date it under penalty of perjury and mail it back. I get a pension from the state of Texas and every year they send out a similar "are you alive" letter. The difference is that it has to be acknowledged by the US consulate. That obviously entails having to set up an appointment, go to the consulate, and, of, course, pay them the US$50 for their stamp. I definitely have no complaints about the SSA letter.

David

Sent from my SM-T719Y using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Yeah, the Brits have a similar letter that they actually call "Proof of Life".  The title spooks off some people.  And the letter has to be witnessed by someone responsible who knows the person.  Their Embassy and Thai Immigration used to serve that purpose, but don't anymore, so the Brits have to try to convince a baffled Thai person like their bank manager or doctor to sign.  

[colinneil]

11 minutes ago, NancyL said:

Yeah, the Brits have a similar letter that they actually call "Proof of Life".  The title spooks off some people.  And the letter has to be witnessed by someone responsible who knows the person.  Their Embassy and Thai Immigration used to serve that purpose, but don't anymore, so the Brits have to try to convince a baffled Thai person like their bank manager or doctor to sign.  

 With the proof of life form Nancy, any government official can sign.

My form gets signed by my wifes cousin, who is a school director, it is accepted by DWP  in UK no problem.

[OJAS]

39 minutes ago, colinneil said:

 With the proof of life form Nancy, any government official can sign.

My form gets signed by my wifes cousin, who is a school director, it is accepted by DWP  in UK no problem.

Although the SSA letter does need to be witnessed, I gather that this is done at the SSA end once received back there duly completed. So it is also the more puzzling to me as to why we Brits are required to jump through the bureaucratic witnessing hoops that we are when our American cousins are not!

[colinneil]

8 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Although the SSA letter does need to be witnessed, I gather that this is done at the SSA end once received back there duly completed. So it is also the more puzzling to me as to why we Brits are required to jump through the bureaucratic witnessing hoops that we are when our American cousins are not!

 The UK government never make things easy for us, everything has been designed to make us jump through hoops.

[Pib]

Although the SSA letter does need to be witnessed, I gather that this is done at the SSA end once received back there duly completed. So it is also the more puzzling to me as to why we Brits are required to jump through the bureaucratic witnessing hoops that we are when our American cousins are not!

The US SSA letter only needs to be witnessed if the individual signs with a mark vs a signature. Expect this rarely occurs.

Regarding the UK letter which apparently requires signature and must be witnessed also...different country, different laws/rules.

[OJAS]

51 minutes ago, Pib said:

Regarding the UK letter which apparently requires signature and must be witnessed also...different country, different laws/rules.

Unfortunately for us Brits.☹️

[Genericnic]

5 hours ago, NancyL said:

Yeah, the Brits have a similar letter that they actually call "Proof of Life".  The title spooks off some people.  And the letter has to be witnessed by someone responsible who knows the person.  Their Embassy and Thai Immigration used to serve that purpose, but don't anymore, so the Brits have to try to convince a baffled Thai person like their bank manager or doctor to sign.  

Unfortunately, the Texas form is specific. I'm heading back to Texas in a couple of weeks and will be dropping by their office to point out the error of their ways ... as if it will do any good. LOL

 

David

 

[OJAS]

16 hours ago, Genericnic said:

Unfortunately, the Texas form is specific. I'm heading back to Texas in a couple of weeks and will be dropping by their office to point out the error of their ways ... as if it will do any good. LOL

 

David

 

Would definitely be interested to hear what justification Texas provide you in support of their practice, since it could provide an insight into the thinking of their British "pals", the DWP!

[Pib]

6 hours ago, OJAS said:

Would definitely be interested to hear what justification Texas provide you in support of their practice, since it could provide an insight into the thinking of their British "pals", the DWP!

I can hear the answer already which is, It's the law/regulation.  And they "might" throw in to help minimize fraud.  

[DAmpansiri]

[What is EMS?]

Thailand Postal Abbreviation for EMS = Express Mail Service.

[NancyL]

Personally, I've never seen the need to return this first notice from SSA via EMS, just regular post.  After all, if SSA doesn't receive it, they'll send a second notice.

[Pib]

They even send you 3rd notice....but that 3rd notice is just saying since you didn't respond to either of the first two notices they are stopping payments....please contact the SSA to get the payments going again.