cusanus

Didn't think a will was necessary for me. As I understood it, half of my two Bangkok bank accounts would go to my (Thai) wife and half to the children. Having just suffered a heart attack, I'm now wondering what qualifies as "children." My kids are in their forties. I don't know where two of them are myself and don't want them to get anything or for my wife to have to wait for that to get ironed out. Do I have to draw up a Thai will to make sure Meaw has quick access to the money when I'm dead? Having a will, I could also add her as a cosigner on the accounts in case I'm languishing in a hospital. If nobody has an answer here, guess I should bring this up at the branch office.

I don't believe you can make an account unless you have a US resident address. I could use one of my kids, but isn't that saying your address is not in Thailand? I'd rather not take that chance. A friend has one, but he made it before moving to Thailand.

Things used to run quite smoothly before covid except for rare mail issues. It should be back to normal next year unless certain politicians find a way to kill Social Security. For fifteen years I received the mailer on time, returned the SASE ordinary postal and forgot about it. I knew one person who could not receive mail from the IRS or SS for several years, but that was fixed this last year finally.

We forget about the fax number. What's wrong with using that? Anyway, it's not necessary to use a fax machine. On your computer you can go to HelloFax (Google it). It works great, keeps a record of past faxes, received or not, etc. Been using it for years, even for SSA a few years back. Not sure if it works with Android. The fax number I used back then was 410-966-6782, no idea if it still works. Thanks for the new number.

Mine was sent 15 June, processed 29 June. Record time.

Too early? If you call outside the EST window that's all you would ever get, so how does *67 cause them to beam up all dressed up and instantly appear at work in the middle of the night? if your POTS number was assigned to Montana, you'd have to make sure it was in the EST window, no problem. Well, that used to work until recently, but no longer I find. The SSA senses it doesn't originate from the EST area even if the time is okay, yeah, weird, so I had to use a VPN, but that didn't work until I used a New York server. Using *67 might work, but you didn't explain how. Maybe tell us that. Maybe you should try again and see if it still does.

Maybe I can help clear up some things if you haven't read my last message or two. Most everyone whose form was processed seems to be getting a second notice that they shouldn't. There was never a problem for most before covid, so try to be patient. Also, if you have a VPN and set the server for New York (try another if that fails) you will get answered by a human who can tell you if your form is processed. Use Skype, Google Voice, all work fine if using the right VPN server. The special operations number wasn't taking calls last week so I used 1-800-772-1213 . If your 7162 was NOT received, the SSA changes your address to match your last IRS 1040, YES they do, so it's a good idea to file a 1040 even if you don't have to, also so you can collect stimulus payments by direct payment to your bank. When you call it takes several minutes wait listening to boilerplate BS before a person answers. If you're not hooked to the right VPN server, they'll say it isn't during working hours, so change servers and try again. I'm not defending the system, but it works super well normally, PO is 99.99% reliable, no need for tracking, no need to bother, but it's easy to call if you know how. My friend I care for is good now, too, finally receiving mail even though the last form sent is wrong, I'm sure her's was processed along with mine since I sent them in together. Don't let this get under your skin. If you don't have a VPN or know how to do that, find a computer geek friend who can help, sit down about 8PM over a cup of coffee while calling up using Skype or Google Voice or Magic Jack and you'll get confirmation. If you send in a filled in blank 7162 w/o barcode, don't forget to add your SS# in the box at right and COC code 929. This about covers it.

Ok, got through finally using Google voice and VPN server in New York, 800-772-1213. Guy was very helpful, confirmed that my form was logged June 29. Must assume my friend's was, too, though w/o barcode since they don't send her mail. Apparently no way to fix that problem since nobody knows why. Oh, yeah, Magic Jack works, too, as long as connected VPN server in New York. The guy told me he was in the Wilkes-Barre building at the time, that there are boxes of thousands of 7162 forms waiting to be processed.

Well, SOL with both Google Voice and MJ. SS knows the call is originating out of the country, so the guy will say they aren't open. If I'd kept my Google Voice I could still use legacy mode and route the Google call through MJ, but I let it lapse and the new version won't let you do that anymore, damn. Using a VPN doesn't seem to work, either. A cell call costs a fortune, so it appears there's no way to talk to a rep anymore. IRS calls are probably also set up that way now. Has anyone got a cheap way to call the US gov anymore? OH WAIT! I'm finally on hold using Google Voice w/o having to route it through Magic Jack. Son of a gun. Blew 200+ baht. But Google Voice does work. Maybe it's because of the time, but it's 10:45 in New York and they open at 8:00, so I don't know why it's working now. Oh, yeah, sure. I changed my VPN server to New York. But my charge doesn't have a VPN. Oh, sht.

Boy, what a mess. SS no longer honors Magic Jack calls except tagged after hours, so you can't talk to someone. The Operations number works (if you have VPN), but they aren't taking calls tonight. There's a way to bypass the country block with Google Voice, but I let mine lapse, hardly used it. So, you have to use paid cell bahts or a Magic Jack Google Voice trick, not sure I even remember how to do that. My first try with cell tonight used 100 bahts or so, then the call was dropped... Doesn't look like a personal call will go through tonight, but will fill out the form and type the remarks in red about not getting mail, not having eight forms already mailed tallied, and well, could be no benefits come February. I don't see the point of using EMS or such because there's almost zero chance it won't get delivered, the problem clearly is the backlog. For the guy who said they don't always honor them without barcodes, I've never had that problem Make SURE you add your SS number in the field at right or they won't know who you are. Also put in the COC for Thailand, 929. Meanwhile, I've been paying 12call now for about fifteen minutes waiting for a rep. Will probably get dropped again. YEP! I started with about 250 baht, ran out of bahts a few minutes ago after about a half hour. Tried changing VPN servers, no go. Screwed.

Will again call the Office of Earnings & International Operations 410-965-0160 in an hour and give them an earful. Will post the outcome for you. Then I'll send the forms again with a copy of the postal receipt for the June 30 batch and complain about lack of mail for my charge. Eight forms sent so far in four batches and none tallied. The office said it was received via phone, but now the letter says it wasn't. In five years nothing sent to my charge despite hours of phone calls and numerous mail queries. Looks like SS wasn't too hot to start, but it's a real mess post covid.

In June I mailed a copy to FBU Manila, another to Wilkes-Barre PO Box, a third to Wilkes-Barre street address, then in July got the form and mailed in the enclosed SASE. Did each of those again to the disabled person I'm responsible for, so that makes a 100% chance mail is received going by 17 years experience, but less than 13% mail to SS is received. Very unsettling. Should mention that the person I care for lost her benefits in 2018 even though she hadn't been here long enough to trigger a form so it wasn't right for her to lose benefits. And more... despite hours and hours of phone calls numerous times, she has NEVER once received anything from SS except test mails when talking on the phone. Nobody responds when asked why.

Bad news. I sent filled out 7162 forms to three places meant to handle them in June, then got the first mailer early July, sent that in with the return mailer, then called the number and was told it had been received. Now I get the second one today which indicates it wasn't received. VERY UNHAPPY!

Believe the CM Photo Group is no longer on the 3rd floor of the airport plaza. Great printing, but couldn't find it today.

Office representative of : Social Security Administration Office of Earnings & International Operations Telephone number: 410-965-0160 ------------------------------- Acknowledgment confirmed for me. Less trouble than tracking IMHO.

Why not call the special number to find out if it's been acknowledged? I provided the number a couple of weeks ago. Who wants me to dig it up again?

That's the reply I got after I was told that they would respond and send a new barcoded form. That's why I send filled out blank forms to Manilla, Wilke's Barre PO and also the street address. Probably overdoing it, but she lost her benefits one year when a form wasn't required and gets constantly put off attempting to have her address changed. It's correct this year, but still no form. In the comment box on back of her form she puts "Can you explain why I never receive a form to return like everyone else?" NOTE: I don't know why anyone in Thailand would skip a year since it is established that a form is required every year for Thailand. Advise you to overlook that response and send one in anyway, but this is not legal advice, of course.

Sorry, I don't follow this conversation very well. Personally, I've never had to bother worrying about it the last 17 years myself. The last time I sent a 7162 to Wilkes-Barr I used the physical address, not the PO Box. If it means anything, I did get confirmation on the tracking that it was received. I didn't bother to use tracking this year, but nothing I've sent has ever failed to be received. My (friend's) problem is that somehow she doesn't get correspondence and her payments were once terminated for no reason. Apparently, different SS batches are handled by different offices and a few of them aren't competent or honest. I was told that Manila will confirm if it's been received and if not send a new 7162, but I wasn't able to get through on the phone (too busy) and my email to request such was also acknowledged but told it would not be read by a human or answered. Could call again, but have to have the other person present. Think I won't bother because I'd already sent three copies of hers, one each to Wilkes-Barr PO Box, the Wilkes-Barr physical address and also Manila FBU email. Seems like I've gone far beyond what's reasonable and little chance her form hasn't registered so think I'll quit trying to confirm it.

Thanks, this worked for me. HOWEVER, it wasn't a good time for my friend. I am legally responsible for taking care of her and have been very concerned that after five years it is not possible for her to get mail from SS and her benefits were once suspended. I was told that I could call Manila and get her info and/or have another form 7162 be sent to her. Was not able to call Manila because they shut off their phones if too busy. so requested the info by email. Meanwhile... this may be worth your attention. I found that you can make an online SS account and check the status of things. I'd forgotten that we had done an account like that for her years ago but was reminded by an email from SS. So, we logged into her account and saw that the new address was there. I took this to also mean her 7162 form had been received and posted. No certain acknowledgement of that, but the date on the verification of benefits letter was today's date. I'm also expecting a reply to the email I sent Manila and a new 7162 form with barcode, etc, be sent if her 7162 hasn't been registered yet.

Yes, have done that several times over the years, but they give no answer to that. When she lost her benefits the first time they refused to say why that happened. Spent several hours on the phone in 2018 with SS, two or three calls, and they claimed they couldn't change her address, though the one they had was close enough. The 1040 has always been correct. The government refuses to send her mail or the postal service doesn't work, but she always gets other stuff. They don't like her it seems, but won't say why.

Received mine Friday in CM, but my friend who has NEVER received one appears will not as she never has in the last five years despite repeated queries about why she gets no government correspondence even from the IRS. Her house is in the same tambon as mine. That's why I send hers to both Manila and Wilkes Barre. I'll include another form for her with mine in the return envelope with the comment "why...".

I thought EMS was the way to go, but was quoted about 1500 baht. No way, like you say, it won't make a difference in the end. Anyway, my experience of 17 years is that outgoing mail is terribly reliable and for most of us so is incoming mail. Alas, for some reason, some people do not get mail from the US government and have to ponder the best way to ensure the form is received and benefits not stopped as happened to my friend once. I've always gotten mine and sent it back ordinary mail with no problem.

I give up, you win. Think. I said it was never a problem of mine, not for 15 years. But I'm not you and you're not everybody. I sent the one in question to that address and it was in fact recorded as advised by certain embassies where this approach provided a remedy. I prefer that advice, but don't hold back. Who knows.

If you've ever had your benefits up and suspended without notice, you'll want to make sure the forms are received, at least it's a major panic for some people and reason not to lay back and wait on the bureaucracy. I've never had that problem myself, but after being witness to it, I tend to burst from the chute. The form should have been here first week of June as always.

You're the one (Ubon) who said yours didn't get received on time. I've done this before. If it's received at the office building it's recorded and that's the end of that. They don't toss them. But thanks for your good advice as always.