social security administration (USA)

Post by **Ray.Charles** » July 29, 2011, 2:33 pm

Has anyone been able to access it in the last week or so. Is the server at www. Socialsecurity.gov or the www.ssa.gov available only within certain hours?

Post by **merchant seaman** » July 29, 2011, 2:45 pm

Have been trying also with no luck until about noon today. I got on and filed for my benifits before they shut down for the day.

Post by **RLTrader** » July 29, 2011, 4:53 pm

available only within certain hours?

short answer is Yes

I forget what they are, but common sense says M to F 8am to 4pm , and oh US Eastern Time Zone. So I will guess because of day light savings Udon time M to F 7pm to 3am

Post by **Ray.Charles** » July 29, 2011, 5:33 pm

But, merchant seaman accessed it at around noon today, that would have been 01-00 (AM) eastern daylight savings time. Anyway, as per your opinion, I will try to access them this evening.

Post by **USArmy_Veteran** » July 29, 2011, 5:40 pm

The online availability to file foe SS benefits are:
Availability
The online application is available to you seven days a week during the following hours (Eastern time):

Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Saturday: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Holidays: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Post by **Mosquito** » July 29, 2011, 6:36 pm

Applying for social security is a one time thing, right??

Once you turn 62 years of age you can file for social security and they'll DD your SS payment into your bank account automatically every month, right??

Not old enough, just asking questions............not that it'll be available when I turn 62 (or that I expect to live that long).

Post by **Ray.Charles** » July 29, 2011, 7:39 pm

Time in Udon now is 19-40, although the udonmap clock on the forum page is an hour behind.
Anyway it is now well within the time period suggested by the the TRADER and the ARMY-VET, but I still can not access www.ssa.gov. Please let know if anyone can; it is not urgent for me, just annoying.

Post by **parrot** » July 29, 2011, 7:42 pm

I thought you couldn't apply on-line if you lived overseas??

I sent an email to American Citizen Services a month or so ago and asked if I could apply through them when they come to visit (maybe in September). The answer: Bangkok ACS to me
show details Jun 20
Dear Mr. Parrot,
You may apply for this benefit in Udon.
Kind Regards,
ACS

I just tried accessing the website.....no luck. Give them another hour.

Post by **randerson79** » July 29, 2011, 7:52 pm

I just logged on and checked my SS estimate. It worked fine for me. I get $574 when I turn 62!! Woo Hoo!!!

Post by **merchant seaman** » July 29, 2011, 8:45 pm

To apply for benifets on line you need a U.S. address. (Brother, sister, Aunt, Uncle, Etc). U >s> Embassy Bangkok does not have a SSA office. Everything must go through U.S. Embassy P.I. Best to do on line as long as you have a U.S. address to use and a U.S. Bank account for electronic depost. Other wise you must go through Manilla. Bangkok Embassy will assist you with the paper work.

Post by **BarnicaleBob** » July 29, 2011, 9:04 pm

Don't forget that if you served in the military to add in a copy of your DD 214 when you file for your social security, you get a few extra dollars for each year you served.

Post by **Ray.Charles** » July 29, 2011, 9:12 pm

My Thai address is on record with the IRS (form 8822) and through them with the SSA; the $s can go to my U.S account.
If I am not allowed to claim online, I will try the ACS when they would come to Udon (as per parrot); or when I will go for a trip to the U.S.
Randy, I still can't get in; may be they know you as a hansom man.

Post by **Drtierra** » July 30, 2011, 4:10 am

Mosquito wrote:Applying for social security is a one time thing, right??

Once you turn 62 years of age you can file for social security and they'll DD your SS payment into your bank account automatically every month, right??

Not old enough, just asking questions............not that it'll be available when I turn 62 (or that I expect to live that long).

You can apply 90 days before that B date. The benefits will begin to be paid within 60 days of your B day. You can select D D or use a debit card they will supply. You can use an existing account or a special account just for SSI.
Banks ( Chase ) in the USA have begun charging if you do not have DD from some source that exceeds 1,500 per month. This should be part of your decision on how to recieve the money.
I found an interesting aspect of this that may help others. My Thai step daughter is allowed to get 800 bucks per month until she is 16 that is in addition to my SSI. Amazing to me that they do this. Done because they acknowledge the cost of raising a child after we retire.

Post by **RLTrader** » July 30, 2011, 9:13 am

Drtierra wrote: I found an interesting aspect of this that may help others. My Thai step daughter is allowed to get 800 bucks per month until she is 16 that is in addition to my SSI. Amazing to me that they do this. Done because they acknowledge the cost of raising a child after we retire.

Hmm, ya had thought that was the case from something I had print out from their website, but it was as clear as mud.

Was this automatic some how?
Some form needed to be filled out and sent in?

thanks for any info on this.

Post by **UdonExpat** » July 30, 2011, 9:20 am

I tried deceiving social security a few years ago by applying online from Thailand and claiming that I lived in the US by using the US address of my brother. It didn't work and resulted in my claim taking about 4 months longer than normal as they sorted out my attempted deception. They knew I was applying from overseas because of my IP address and because I didn't go to the local office to provide additional documents they wanted.

Eventually, my application was transferred to the social security unit at the US Embassy in Manila. From there everything went smoothly.

If you live in Thailand and want to apply for social security or make changes to ongoing benefits contact them in Manila. I've had numerous dealings with the people there for myself and in helping another. They are helpful, informative, and easy to work with. They send all the necessary forms and instructions that you need to do what you want as email attachments. The completed forms can be mailed back to them or submitted to ACS when they come to Udon. If you need certified copies for the application ACS will certify copies for free for any applications for government aid (SSA, DVA, Military, etc.).

Social Security Administration
American Embassy
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Ermita 0930 Manila
Philippines

Phone: 632-301-2000, extensions 6319 and 6302
Fax: 632-708-9723 and 632-708-9714

Email: FBU.Manila@ssa.gov

Post by **semperfiguy** » July 30, 2011, 10:08 am

BarnicaleBob wrote:Don't forget that if you served in the military to add in a copy of your DD 214 when you file for your social security, you get a few extra dollars for each year you served.

BarnicaleBob, I applied online for SS benefits and started receiving in August last year. I don't recall seeing any options for plugging in time in military service to receive additional money. I served 3 years, one of which was in Vietnam. Is there a particular form to be completed whereby I could go throught the SSA office in Manila to ask for a increase in benefits? For only three years of service, would it really be worth the effort?

Post by **papaguido** » July 30, 2011, 10:42 am

semperfiguy wrote:
BarnicaleBob wrote:Don't forget that if you served in the military to add in a copy of your DD 214 when you file for your social security, you get a few extra dollars for each year you served.

BarnicaleBob, I applied online for SS benefits and started receiving in August last year. I don't recall seeing any options for plugging in time in military service to receive additional money. I served 3 years, one of which was in Vietnam. Is there a particular form to be completed whereby I could go throught the SSA office in Manila to ask for a increase in benefits? For only three years of service, would it really be worth the effort?

Special Military Social Security Rate

Under certain circumstances, military veterans who served between 1940 and 2001 can be credited for special extra earnings for Social Security purposes.

http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... urity-rate

Post by **BarnicaleBob** » July 31, 2011, 12:22 am

semperfiguy wrote:
BarnicaleBob wrote:Don't forget that if you served in the military to add in a copy of your DD 214 when you file for your social security, you get a few extra dollars for each year you served.

BarnicaleBob, I applied online for SS benefits and started receiving in August last year. I don't recall seeing any options for plugging in time in military service to receive additional money. I served 3 years, one of which was in Vietnam. Is there a particular form to be completed whereby I could go throught the SSA office in Manila to ask for a increase in benefits? For only three years of service, would it really be worth the effort?

You should contact the Manila SS office (Phone: 632-301-2000, extensions 6319 and 6302) and ask them to check to see if you are getting the extra credit already or not. Then if not they will be able to tell you how to add it in. Keep in mind this is not a large sum of money if you only served three years which would be 12 quarters but every little bit helps.

Post by **Stantheman** » August 2, 2011, 6:05 am

For those who are retired military, you are not eligable for extra credit from Social Security per below link

http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... urity-rate

"You cannot receive credit for these special extra earnings if you are already receiving a federal benefit based on the same years of service. There is one exception: If you were on active duty after 1956, you can still get the special earnings for 1951 through 1956, even if you're receiving a military retirement based on service during that period."

Post by **Drtierra** » August 8, 2011, 7:52 am

RLTrader wrote:
Drtierra wrote: I found an interesting aspect of this that may help others. My Thai step daughter is allowed to get 800 bucks per month until she is 16 that is in addition to my SSI. Amazing to me that they do this. Done because they acknowledge the cost of raising a child after we retire.
Hmm, ya had thought that was the case from something I had print out from their website, but it was as clear as mud.

Was this automatic some how?
Some form needed to be filled out and sent in?

thanks for any info on this.

I filled in the info about my child which triggered them to send me a statement about what she could & would get. I was so suprised I went to my local ( US ) office to make sure of what it said.
I should mention that my wife will also recieve a similar amount until our daughter is 18 or if she is in school 19.