FEDERAL BENEFIT AND TAX INFORMATION

The Chiang Mai Consulate does not directly process Social Security or Federal Benefits claims. We do help United States citizens or dependants access Federal Benefits through the regional Social Security Administration office in Manila.

We can assist by:

• Providing information and federal forms
• Certifying supporting documents for Social Security Number applications and Federal Benefits applications
• Contacting the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, and Office of Personnel Management in order to follow-up on claims, application status, Social Security Number applications, to report change of address, and to report non-receipt of benefits

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

For information and frequently accessed forms regarding Social Security, please visit their website at:  http://www.ssa.gov/.  The American Citizen Services Unit can certify photocopies of original documents needed for Social Security.

The mailing address for Social Security benefits for United States citizens residing in Thailand is:

Social Security Administration Division
Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Embassy Building
1131 Roxas Blvd., Ermita
0930 Manila, Philippines
 
If you would like to determine initial eligibility for Social Security Benefits, please make an appointment for "other services" via our appointment website.  A member of our staff will assist you in completing a Claimant Information Sheet which will be subsequently forwarded to the Social Security Administration in Manila.  You will then be contacted directly by their office with further instructions for completing the application process.

SOCIAL SECURITY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. When can I collect Social Security Benefits?

Regardles of your full retirement age (also called "normal retirement age"), you may start receiving benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70.  For more information on eligibility and to calculate the amount of your retirement benefits, please visit:  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.

2. How do find out the amount of money I will receive per month from Social Security?

The amount you will receive per month varies according to your age as well as your lifetime work history and credits.  To determine your individual benefit, please use the benefit calculators available at:  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/benefitcalculators.htm. 

According to Social Security,“You will receive about the same amount in lifetime benefits…whether you choose to start receiving benefits at age 62, age 70, or any age in between. However, monthly benefit amounts can differ substantially based on your retirement age.”

3. What happens to my family abroad if I die?

Your survivors, after reporting your death to the Consulate, will receive a Consular Report of Death as well as certification of pertinent documents that can be used to apply for a lump sum death payment, survivor benefits, and/or children’s benefits from the Social Security Administration.

Questions concerning eligibility, age requirements, and other important issues can be found at: http://www.ssa.gov/ww&os2.htm

According to Social Security, the earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security Survivor’s Benefits, based on age, is age 60.

Please be aware that if your survivors live outside of the United States, although they are eligible for benefits, this may affect the receipt of such benefits.  Please visit Social Security’s Publication Number 05-10137 for updated information on, “Your Payments While You Are outside the United States,” at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10137.html

4.What can you tell me about Medicare?

Medicare is the United States health insurance program for people ages 65 or older.  Persons living or traveling outside of the United States, however, usually cannot benefit from Medicare. This is primarily because the program provides protection against the cost of hospital and medical expenses incurred in the United States.  For more information on Medicare, please visit the Medicare section of the Social Security Website at:  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html.

5.What should I know about Social Security when I’m not living in the United States?

If you are not in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands or American Samoa, you are considered not living in the United States according to Social Security.

Once you have been out of the United States for at least 30 days in a row, you are considered to be outside of the country until you return and stay in the United States for at least 30 days in succession.

If you are a United States citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments while residing outside of the United States as long as you are eligible for them. However, there are certain countries to which the Social Security Administration is not allowed to send payments.

You may continue to receive your payments as long as you are outside of the United States, unless you are receiving your payments as a dependent or survivor. In those cases, there are additional requirements you will have to meet to be eligible. 

If you are not a United States citizen or a citizen of certain countries, your payments will stop after you have been outside of the United States for six full calendar months, unless you meet certain exceptions.

If you are not a United States citizen, you must have lived in the United States for at least five years. During those five years, the family relationship on which benefits are based must have existed.

While you are living outside of the United States, Social Security will periodically send you a questionnaire.  You will need to return the questionnaire to the office that sent it as soon as possible. If you do not, your payments will stop.  In addition to responding to the questionnaire, it is imperative that you notify the Social Security Administration promptly about changes that could affect your payments.

If you work or own a business outside the United States and are younger than full retirement age, notify the Social Security Administration immediately.  If you do not, it could result in a penalty that could cause the loss of certain benefits.

If you are a United States citizen or United States resident, up to 85 percent of the Social Security benefits you receive may be subject to the Federal Income Tax.

To learn more detailed information concerning lists of countries, exceptions, tax information, and how to protect your rights to Social Security Benefits, please visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10137.html

TAXES

For comprehensive information and tax documents, please visit the Income Tax Revenue Service website at:  http://www.irs.gov/.  The Income Tax Revenue Service also maintains a separate webpage with important information for United States taxpayers residing abroad, accessible at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international.

Select tax forms and publications are obtainable at the Consulate after January 1st of each year.

VETERANS BENEFITS (VA)

For information on Veterans Benefits (VA), veterans should contact the Veteran's Administration at:  https://iris.va.gov/scripts/iris.cfg/php.exe/enduser/home.php.

We can assist with inquiries to the Veteran's Administration, including reports of checks not received as well as provide assistance in following-up on disability claims