Federal Benefits
The Consulate in Chiang Mai does not directly process Social Security, veteran's benefits (VA), or other Federal Benefits claims. However, we can assist United States citizens or dependents to access Federal Benefits. We can assist by:
- Providing information and forms
- Certifying supporting documents for applications
- Contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other agencies to follow up on claims and applications, report change of address, and report non-receipt of benefits
- Assisting you to sign up for Direct Deposit of your monthly check
To get help with these, please make an appointment for "Other Services" via our ACS Appointment page. We recommend that you take an afternoon appointment, as we usually are less busy in the afternoons and will have more staff available to assist you.
DIRECT DEPOSIT
The U.S. Treasury encourages everyone who receives a monthly check from the U.S. government to sign up for Direct Deposit. With Direct Deposit, the Treasury will deposit the money directly into your bank account every month. Because there is no paper check, your payment cannot be delayed in transit, lost, or stolen. You do not have to cash it or deposit it at the bank. Instead, the money will be in your bank account at the same time every month.
For detailed information regarding Direct Deposit, please view the following information sheet: Direct Deposit (PDF, 485 KB).
If you continue to receive a paper check, please note that we will not hold it at the Consulate for pick-up. Instead, we will mail it to you via Thailand Post within two business days of its arrival at the Consulate.
VETERANS BENEFITS
For information and frequently-used forms for veteran's benefits, please see the website of the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA also has special information for veterans residing outside the United States.
For veterans residing overseas who have specific questions, the VA recommends that you use the Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS). Using IRIS gives you 24/7 contact capability as well as a date-time stamp on your query or submission.
The VA office that covers Thailand is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its mailing address is:
Pittsburgh VA Regional Office
1000 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 USA
Telephone: +1-1-800-827-1000
Fax: +1-1-412-395-6091
SOCIAL SECURITY
For information and frequently-used forms regarding Social Security, please visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. Also, scroll down this page to the list of "Social Security Frequently Asked Questions," which also addresses Medicare and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) coverage while you are in Thailand.
The SSA office that covers Thailand is located in Manila. Its mailing address is:
Social Security Administration Division
c/o United States Embassy
1201 Roxas Blvd.
Ermita
0930 Manila
PHILIPPINES
E-mail: fbu.manila@ssa.gov
Telephone: +63-2-301-2000, extension 9.
Fax: +63-2-708-9714 or +63-2-708-9723
SOCIAL SECURITY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I receive Social Security Benefits while living in Thailand? Yes. 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. If you have not signed up for Direct Deposit already, the Social Security Administration will send the check directly to your Thai address.
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.
For full details, please see the SSA web page Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States.
When can I collect Social Security Benefits? Regardless 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 see the SSA web page When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits.
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 one of the SSA's online Benefit Calculators.
If I die, will my family abroad receive a death benefit from Social Security? Your survivors, after reporting your death to the Consulate, will receive a Consular Report of Death, plus other documents that they can use to apply for a lump sum death payment, survivor benefits, or children's benefits directly from the Social Security Administration. Information about eligibility, age requirements, and other important issues can be found at the SSA web page for Widows, Widowers, and Other Survivors.
Can I receive Medicare coverage while in Thailand? 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. For details, please see the Medicare publication Medicare Coverage Outside the United States (PDF, 58 KB). For general information about Medicare, please visit the Medicare website.
Can I receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments while living in Thailand? No. SSI beneficiaries must be present in the United States, and they lose eligibility by being abroad for 30 days. They are not entitled to benefit payments if they are outside the United States, and they must re-qualify after returning to the United States. However, exceptions to the nonpayment provision are made for certain children. For more information, please see the SSI website.